When it comes to airlines, we spend most of our time harping on the fact that they're charging more for fewer amenities, running late or canceling flights, and lacking in customer service. But there's another concern that should be top of mind: safety. Which airlines are best at delivering passengers to their destination without putting them at risk?
To answer that question, AirlineRatings.com conducts an annual review to determine the safest airlines in the world. The 98-year-old Australian-based company examines 385 airlines using different criteria, including fleet age, crash and serious incident record, and government audits. It even added a COVID-19 rating to its latest results.
Here, we share their list of the 20 major airlines and 10 low-cost airlines that get perfect scores for safety. And then, because things like customer service, amenities and reliability matter, too, we've ranked these safety-first airlines from worst to best based on their customer reviews. The airlines at the top of this list promise the best of everything: high-quality amenities, first-rate service and, most important of all, a safe ride.
20. American Airlines
American Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 14
Worst crash: 271 killed in crash of 1979
*Serious crashes are defined as those in which there was at least one airline passenger death where the aircraft flight had a direct or indirect role, and where at least one of the dead passengers was not a stowaway, hijacker or saboteur.
American Airlines: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 2.2/10
Passengers love: First-rate frequent-flier program and ongoing efforts to improve
Sample good review: "Its frequent flyer program is miles ahead of the other U.S. carriers. Website and app are great. New hires are more enthusiastic and customer friendly. New planes are nice. I have had the occasional bad experience — most often due to weather. But on the whole, my opinion is largely positive." (Michael)
Passengers hate: Poor customer service; frequent delays and cancellations
Sample bad review: "Avoid American Airlines at all cost." (Winifred)
19. United Airlines
United
Safety Rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 11
Worst crash: 111 killed in crash of 1989
United Airlines: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 2.8/10
Customers love: Generally good reliability and food
Sample good review: "The food was great, giving you a lot of good-tasting stuff for a relatively low price." (Dmitri)
Customers hate: Subpar cleanliness, comfort and service
Sample bad review: "I can't express how much of a disappointment and annoyance came with choosing this airline to travel, from rude staff to horrible customer service all the way to dirty cabin and hungover crew. This was by far the worst airline I have ever encountered in around 40 flights I have taken in my life." (Mike)
18. British Airways
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 3
Worst crash: 113 killed in crash of 1976
British Airways: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 3.4/10
Customers love: Decent reliability and timeliness
Sample good review: "When compared to economy on other European carriers, it was [above] average." (Rudi)
Customers hate: Poor customer service and outdated planes
Sample bad review: "Non-existent customer service." (Lambert)
17. Delta Air Lines
Delta Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 7
Worst crash: 50 killed in 2006
Delta Air Lines: What Customers Think
Delta Airlines
Passenger rating: 3.9/10
Passengers love: The seamless check-in process and in-flight entertainment
Sample good review: "The food and drinks were amazing. We did have a delay in taking off, but we got there in one piece. The seats were amazing. There were was an in-flight entailment ... The captain was very nice. I liked them so much that I signed up for the program a few months later." (Mason)
Passengers hate: Customer service
Sample bad review: "Just went to check-in for my flight 24 hours prior to departure and found out that they had sold out all seats on the second leg of our flight! No seats???? We paid to get from LAX to Spokane, not just halfway. 1.5 hour wait time to speak with a rep. So I guess we’re walking from Seattle to Spokane because we didn’t realize these crooks require customers to pay an extra $15 per seat to ensure that you actually get a seat on the flight you paid for." (Guy)
16. Scandinavian Airline System (SAS)
SAS
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 2
Worst crash: 152 killed in crash of 2008
SAS: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 4.2/10
Passengers love: Friendly, polite staff and good meals
Sample good review: "Classic casual and elegant inflight service, provided by attentive and friendly staff." (Claes)
Passengers hate: Tight spaces and uncomfortable seats
Sample bad review: "I will not make the mistake of flying them again and recommend the same to all other potential travelers. It is of great disappointment, sorry to say." (Peter)
15. Finnair
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Finnair: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 4.4/10
Passengers love: Decent rates and friendly service
Sample good review: "The attendants were wonderful and friendly. The takeoff, landing and flight itself went smoothly and good, too. This flight was PERFECT!" (Annica)
Passengers hate: Cramped seats and low-quality amenities
Sample bad review: "Dirty, tired, angled seats and poor food." (Russell)
14. Lufthansa
Lufthansa
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 4
Worst crash: 120 killed in crash of 2015
Lufthansa: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 4.6/10
Passengers love: High-quality amenities
Sample good review: "Overall the 12-hour flight was outstanding." (Christopher)
Passengers hate: Poorly handled disputes and lack of telephone customer service
Sample bad review: "Lufthansa has really gone downhill especially for customer service. Don’t bother phoning their contact centre or e-mailing for help. Feedback functionality seems to be permanently down on the website. I got a lot of standard scripted answers but no help. Very disappointed!" (roundworld)
13. Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Hawaiian Airlines: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 4.8/10
Passengers love: Free on-board entertainment
Sample good review: "It was a good experience overall; pleasant cabin crew, good entertainment choices, acceptable food. I would definitely choose them again." (Nika)
Passengers hate: Bad attitudes from the flight crew
Sample bad review: "I always imagined this airline would be one of those airlines where you walk away telling everyone about the beautiful crew on board, not how rude they were." (Geoff)
12. KLM
KLM
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 3
Worst crash: 248 KLM passengers and 337 Pan Am passengers killed in collision in 1977
KLM: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 4.9/10
Passengers love: Business Class comforts
Sample good review: "Excellent, friendly service on the very best aircraft." (David)
Passengers hate: Rude staff for economy passengers
Sample bad review: "When an airline has so many claims that after 46 days, your claim hasn’t been started, you have to ask yourself 'Is KLM the right airline to fly with?'” (Paul)
11. Emirates
Emirates
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: 300 safe after crash of 2016
Emirates: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 5.3/10
Passengers love: High-quality amenities and service all around
Sample good review: "Best airline ever with the friendliest cabin crew." (Shivika)
Passengers hate: Poor-quality food and lack of options
Sample bad review: "The last 2 flights out of Sydney the food was terrible could not eat I hope this is not going to be the case again will have to try something else never use to be a problem." (Ronald)
10. Virgin Atlantic
Virgin
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Virgin Atlantic: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 5.3/10
Passengers love: Fun and compassionate crew
Sample good review: "I really cannot thank you all at Virgin enough. Absolutely fantastic both before and after I needed assistance. Thank you, thank you, thank you." (Margaret)
Passengers hate: Dirty planes and subpar food
Sample bad review: "Food was like warm and every time something was served everything was dripping with water." (Natalie)
9. Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Etihad Airways: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 5.5/10
Passengers love: Economy rates
Sample good review: "We are loyal to Etihad Airways (I will be flying with them again in two weeks) but, unfortunately, I think we will stop soon. The service on board in always great, don’t take me wrong, it is a great company to fly with, but their reward system is just horrible and always a pain." (Juliane)
Passengers hate: The airline did not release refunds due to COVID cancellations.
Sample bad review: "Worst trip in my life. Bad food and rubbish customer service and rubbish handling to my luggage." (Man)
8. Alaska Airlines
Alaskan Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 3
Worst crash: 257 killed in crash of 1979
Alaska Airlines: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 5.7/10
Passengers love: Amazing in-person customer service
Sample good review: "Easily the best airline in the world for end-to-end experience." (Scott)
Passengers hate: Poor customer service via phone
Sample bad review: "We cannot trust reservations on Alaska Airlines. Not even first class. Alaska used to be a fine airline. Something has changed." (Mike)
7. Cathay Pacific Airways
Cathay Pacific Airways
Safety Rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 1
Worst Crash: 81 killed in crash of 1972
Cathay Pacific Airways: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 5.8/10
Passengers love: Comfortable seats and delicious food
Sample good review: "The seats are incredibly comfortable and enough space to stretch out your legs. The food was fantastic and so was the flight attendants." (Annica)
Passengers hate: Spotty customer service and frequent delays
Sample bad review: "I have flown with Cathay Pacific previously and each time the flights have been delayed; this was the worst. I am afraid to say I will avoid flying with this carrier again." (Jeff)
6. Qantas
Qantas
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Qantas: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 5.8/10
Passengers love: Decent meals and service
Sample good review: "The service, entertainment and professionalism made this a pleasant flight." (Joel)
Passengers hate: Lots of delays and late flights
Sample bad review: "Worst experience ever." (Serena)
5. EVA Air
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
EVA Air: What Customers Think
Eva / Facebook
Passenger rating: 5.9/10
Passengers love: Attentive cabin crew
Sample good review: "Pleasurable flight with great service." (Todd)
Passengers hate: Troublesome ticket counters and policies
Sample bad review: "I was despaired with frustration for my first time taking international flight via Eva Airways. I would never want anyone to take any international flight via Eva Airways." (Yirong)
4. Southwest Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Southwest Airlines: What Customers Think
Southwest Airlines / BizJournals
Passenger rating: 6/10
Customers love: Value, no hidden fees and entertaining crew
Sample good review: "Great crew! I can never say enough about the professionalism and attention to customer care that Southwest displays. Makes every trip a pleasure." (Cathy)
Customers hate: The boarding process
Sample bad review: "Simply put, SWA is overrated. The biggest complaint is the boarding process. It is advertised as this entirely democratic, first-come-first-served system. The reality is quite different. Despite going on their website exactly 24 hours ahead of departure, we ended up in about the middle of the line. Priority is now given to those willing to pay a fee or who are enrolled in their credit card or whatever. The three of us almost ended up not getting to sit together." (Edward)
3. Singapore Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 2
Worst crash: 81 killed in crash of 2000
Singapore Airlines: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 6.4/10
Passengers love: Speedy check-in and baggage return; ample cabin space; pleasant service
Sample good review: "Absolutely fantastic service and staff are always so nice to customers. Really left us feeling very well looked after." (Me)
Passengers hate: Meals and beverages leave much to be desired
Sample bad review: "No pre-dinner drink at all. Food was very ordinary and we were only offered 2 meals on this long flight. They did offer very plain snack food in between but it was pretty bad." (Elizabeth)
2. Air New Zealand
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 2
Worst crash: 257 killed in crash of 1979
Air New Zealand: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 6.8/10
Passengers love: Comfortable seats and amenities for long hauls, including new Sky Couches
Sample good review: "I have flown with other airlines long haul in the past and NZ has been the absolute best so far." (Lana)
Passengers hate: Lack of customer service at the airport
Sample bad review: "I will NEVER fly Air New Zealand again. The worst Airline I have flown in 40 years!!" (Daniel)
1. Qatar Airways
Qatar
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Worst crash: No crashes
Qatar: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 7.7/10
Passengers love: Lots of legroom and comfortable seats; great service
Sample good review: "From the start it was an excellent experience. It was a long flight, and in economy, but service was efficient, responsive and friendly." (Melita)
Passengers hate: Cancelations, bumpings and delays without notice
Sample bad review: "Delays, delays, delays!!! Horrible food and limited choice drinks. Never again." (Rudi)
Safest Low-Cost Airlines
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AirlineRatings.com also reviews the safety of budget airline carriers. When you want to take a cheap flight from a more local carrier, you'll be pleased to know none of the following airlines had any fatalities.
They do, however, have some pretty poor customer service and negative reviews.
So, which budget airline is the safest and the most tolerable? We rank the top 10, again, based on customer reviews.
10. Frontier
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Frontier: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 2.4/10
Passengers love: Decent service and amenities for budget carrier
Sample good review: "Had a very good experience with frontier. Would definitely fly again. Don’t expect luxury seats on an economy flight." (Rose)
Passengers hate: Canceled and delayed flights
Sample bad review: "This airline cost us hours of our time, money and a day and a half of our vacation." (Allana)
9. Air Arabia
Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Air Arabia: What Customers Think
Air Arabia
Passenger rating: 3/10
Passengers love: Cabin seating
Sample good review: Too limited to report
Passengers hate: Customer service and on-board service
Sample bad review: "The worst experience of my life." (Rasha)
8. Allegiant Air
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Allegiant Air: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 3.2/10
Passengers love: Affordability
Sample good review: "I feel I have to post this review as so many people have posted negative ones based on absolutely nothing other than expecting a first-class flight for a basic economy price. I have flown Allegiant at least 10 times in the last year and a half from Des Moines to multiple locations in Florida and to Phoenix-Mesa. I have absolutely no complaints with any aspect of the entire experience any single time." (Aaron)
Passengers hate: Lack of in-flight entertainment
Sample bad review: "Zero rating! First and last time I’ll use this airline." (Robin)
7. easyJet
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
easyJet: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 3.6/10
Passengers love: Value and cabin space
Sample good review: "Excellent experience several times on Split to Geneva flight." (Amela)
Passengers hate: Too many delays
Sample bad review: "I have one glaring problem with their service — the luggage allowance. I know they have a silly one-bag-only policy, so I accommodated on my Eurotrip. Flew with them three times and, on the last leg, was forced to spend an extra 60 euros after one look at my bag. Never flying with these jokers again." (Jaffer)
6. Ryanair
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Ryanair: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 3.8/10
Passengers love: Value for the money
Sample good review: "For the price paid, it is an excellent option." (Rogier)
Passengers hate: In-flight entertainment and meals
Sample bad review: "I’d rather take the bus. That’s how it feels anyway." (Stravos)
5. Wizz Air
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Wizz Air: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 4.1/10
Passengers love: Good efficiency and timeliness
Sample good review: "It is an airline that offers cheap prices but for the cost of tickets it far exceeds my expectations and I’d pick them over Ryanair when possible as much as possible." (Luke)
Passengers hate: Lost luggage
Sample bad review: "They lost my luggage last December and haven’t heard back from them since. Their call centre is a joke, they keep selling me the same doughnut every time i call. The person assigned to deal with my claim doesn’t even reply to my emails." (Liviu)
4. WestJet
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
WestJet: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 4.3/10
Passengers love: It's safe
Sample good review: "For me, safety is number one. I chose west Jet because of their safety record. Flights were on time and no hassle with luggage. Food was nothing special, but I did not choose them for the food. There was no in-flight entertainment which for me is not a biggy, as long as I get to and from my destination safely, it's all good." (Jennifer)
Passengers hate: Poor customer service
Sample bad review: "Their customer service sucks and their employees have no clue what they’re doing." (Sarah)
3. JetBlue
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
JetBlue: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 5/10
Passengers love: Great flight attendants
Sample good review: "The flight was delayed due to storms and most passengers were a little grumpy. Our flight attendant, Nick, was so upbeat and cheerful that the mood of everyone around me improved. Thanks Nick, way to go." (Susan)
Passengers hate: Major delays
Sample bad review: "Worst airline ever. I travel a lot and this the first time using JetBlue it will be the last. Delayed 6hrs. Maintenance issue. No apology No compensation. Absolutely brutal!!!!!" (Richard)
2. Jetstar Australia/Asia
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
Jetstar: What Customers Think
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Passenger rating: 5.3/10
Passengers love: Attentive service
Sample good review: "Overall it was very good. I would fly they again. No problems." (Andrew)
Passengers hate: Unreliable
Sample bad review: "A less than average experience on a PER to DPS flight. Long unexplained delay before takeoff, not received the pre-booked and paid seat and part of the crew was really stressed even it was the first flight for the day." (Bryan)
1. VietJet Air
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Safety rating: 7/7
Number of serious crashes since 1970: 0
Non-fatal incidents on record: Nothing of note
VietJet Air: What Customers Think
Passenger rating: 6.9/10
Passengers love: Nothing of note
Sample good review: "We had two flights with Vietjet ... all flights were on time. We enjoyed flying with them, and we didn’t have any issues." (Daniel)
Passengers hate: Pretty much everything
Sample bad review: "Ridiculous. I will never fly this airline, even if my life depended on it. They canceled my flight the day before, would not answer the phone, as they have no customer service, and I still three months later don’t have my international flight resolved." (Share)