AirlineRatings.com has released its annual list of the world’s 20 safest airlines. The list ranks the largest and best-known carriers – and Australia’s national carrier has well and truly held its own.
It’s been a rough few years for the airlines, from the massive slump in air travel caused by the pandemic to high-profile scenes like last week’s meltdown for Southwest Airlines, which cancelled thousands of flights across the U.S. during the holiday season and has sparked an investigation by the Department of Transportation.
Once again, Australia held its own with Qantas named the world’s safest airline, followed by Air New Zealand and Etihad.
It’s not the first time that Qantas has won: The 100-year-old Australian carrier was named the world’s safest airline from 2014 to 2017.
In 2018, it was in the top 20 when AirlineRatings awarded 20 airlines jointly. Then it won again for three years in a row: 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The List
Top 20 safest airlines for 2023
- Qantas
- Air New Zealand
- Etihad Airways
- Qatar Airways
- Singapore Airlines
- TAP Air Portugal
- Emirates
- Alaska Airlines
- EVA Air
- Virgin Australia/Atlantic
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Hawaiian Airlines
- SAS
- United Airlines
- Lufthansa/Swiss Group
- Finnair
- British Airways
- KLM
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
More from Forbes Life
Top 20 safest low-cost airlines for 2023
*In alphabetical order
- Air Arabia
- AirAsia
- Allegiant
- Air Baltic
- Easyjet
- FlyDubai
- Frontier
- Jetstar
- Jetblue
- Indigo
- Ryanair
- Scoot
- Southwest
- Spicejet
- Spirit
- Vueling
- Vietjet
- Volaris
- Westjet
- Wizz
