Air New Zealand is now the safest airline in the world, according to analysis by a leading aviation group.
Australian based company AirlinesRatings.com annually publishes its list of the safest airlines in the world. The site reviews flight data from 385 airlines, as well as aviation authority account audits, crash and serious incident data, safety initiatives, pilot training, fleet age and more.
Last year’s number one airline, Qantas, has fallen to second place and was overtaken by Air New Zealand in 2024 by what the site calls an “incredibly small” margin.
In a list of the 25 safest full-service airlines in the world, British Airways ranks 15th, up two places from last year’s 17th place.
At number 10 is Alaska Airlines, the highest-ranked U.S. airline (the rankings were determined before the Jan. 5 crash of Flight 1282). The United States showed a strong performance overall: in addition to Alaska, Hawaiian Airlines (21st), American Airlines (22nd) and United Airlines (25th) all qualified for the top 25. Although Delta Air Lines, which was number 20 in 2023 , has dropped from the top 25 for 2024.
AirlineRatings.com has ranked the 25 safest airlines in the world in 2024. By analyzing the flight history of 385 airlines, the site names Air New Zealand as the safest full-service airline in the world
Rivalry for Excellence: Qantas and Air New Zealand often compete for the top spot. Qantas drops to number 2 in 2024 after taking the crown in 2023
Geoffrey Thomas, editor-in-chief of AirlineRatings.com, noted that Air New Zealand “has a strong focus on safety and has excelled across the broad safety spectrum down to the last detail.”
Qantas and Air New Zealand often battle for the top spot – Air New Zealand was previously named the world’s safest airline in 2022, while Qantas took the award in both 2023 and 2021. Since 2013, Air New Zealand has been named the safest airline in the world. world seven times.
The praise for the airline came amid recognition that New Zealand’s landscape presents particularly challenging weather conditions for pilots. Wellington Airport, for example, is regularly cited as one of the windiest in the world, as we reported.
After the top two, the rest of the top 10 safest airlines consists of Virgin Australia (third), Etihad Airways (fourth), Qatar Airways (fifth), Emirates (sixth), All Nippon Airways (seventh), Finnair (eighth), and Cathay Pacific Airways (ninth).
Editor Geoffrey Thomas was keen to point out that ‘the safety margins between these top 25 airlines are very small.
He said: ‘Our top 25 safest airlines are all industry standouts, leading the way in safety, innovation and new aircraft launches.’
British Airways comes in 15th place, two places higher than last year’s 17th place
At number 10 is Alaska Airlines, the highest-ranked U.S. airline (rankings were determined before Flight 1282 hit on January 5)
In addition to evaluating the safest airlines in the world, AirlineRatings.com also published a list of the 20 safest low-cost airlines (see sidebar), with Australian budget airline JetStar taking the number one spot.
British stalwart easyJet is named the second safest of the budget airlines, just ahead of Ireland’s Ryanair at number three.
Of the list of 20 low-cost airlines mentioned, Mr Thomas said: ‘These airlines all have an excellent safety culture and a low incident rate.’
AirlineRatings.com explains that it does not take into account phenomena such as bird strikes, turbulence, weather changes and lightning strikes when compiling its lists because airlines have no control over such events.