Air New Zealand has been crowned the world’s safest airline for 2024, pipping Qantas for the coveted top spot.
The global list has been compiled by travel information website Airline Ratings, and includes factors such as fatal accidents, major incidents, safety initiatives, governing body reports, profitability, pilot training and the age of airline fleets.
Qantas was previously number one but has been edged out for 2024 by Air New Zealand by “the narrowest margin” according to Airline Ratings’ editor-in-chief, Geoffrey Thomas.
Qantas trumped Air New Zealand by a similar margin in 2023.
“Safety margins between the top 25 airlines are very small,” says Thomas. “Air New Zealand excelled across the broad safety spectrum, never losing sight of the smallest detail. The airline operates in some of the most challenging weather environments, which tests pilot skills.
“For instance, Wellington is one of the windiest airports in the world, while Queenstown is a huge navigational challenge.”
When compiling the annual safety list, Airline Ratings overlooks factors beyond an airlines’ control, such as bird strikes, weather diversions, turbulence injuries and lightning strikes.
Airline Ratings’ top 25 safest airlines for 2024
Air New Zealand
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Etihad Airways
Qatar Airways
Emirates
All Nippon Airways
Finnair
Cathay Pacific Airways
Alaska Airlines
SAS
Korean Air
Singapore Airlines
EVA Air
British Airways
Turkish Airlines
TAP Air Portugal
Lufthansa/Swiss Group
KLM
Japan Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
American Airlines
Air France
Air Canada Group
United Airlines
Airline Ratings’ top 20 safest low-cost airlines for 2024
Jetstar
easyJet
Ryanair
Wizz Air
Norwegian
Frontier
Vueling
Vietjet
Southwest
Volaris
Flydubai
AirAsia Group (AirAsia, AirAsia X, AirAsia Thailand, AirAsia Philippines and AirAsia India)
Cebu Pacific
Sun Country
Spirit
Westjet
JetBlue
Air Arabia
Indigo
Eurowings
