The Safest Airlines Of 2024 Were Ranked — Here's How Canadian Carriers Stack Up

When it comes to air travel, safety is paramount. AirlineRatings.com has unveiled its list of the Top 25 Safest Airlines for 2024, and the lineup offers insights into how major airlines stack up in terms of safety measures, innovation, and overall reliability.

Topping the list this year is Air New Zealand, followed closely by Qantas and Virgin Australia, showing a strong presence of Australasian carriers in the safety rankings.

The ranking includes a mix of airlines from across the globe, from Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways in the Middle East to European stalwarts like British Airways and Lufthansa/Swiss Group, and Asian giants such as All Nippon Airways and Singapore Airlines. Canadian aviation got some attention with the inclusion of Air Canada Group.

Soaring above the rest

The evaluation process used by AirlineRatings.com is based on an analysis of crashes over five years, serious incidents over two years, as well as audits from aviation's governing bodies and lead associations.

Government audits, fleet age, and aircrew training are also taken into account to ensure a well-rounded assessment of each airline's commitment to safety.

AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas noted that the competition was especially fierce this year, with a narrow 1.50 points difference between Air New Zealand and Qantas. He mentioned that fleet age played a crucial role in determining the top spot. Qantas Group is currently undergoing the most significant fleet renewal in its history, with substantial orders for various new aircraft models set to be delivered over the next three years.

Sky's the limit

Discussing the ranking process, Thomas emphasized that all airlines experience incidents, many of which are related to aircraft or engine manufacturing issues rather than operational problems. "It is the way the flight crew handles these serious incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one," he said.

Highlighting the advancements in aircraft technology, Thomas commended airlines, like Emirates, that have been instrumental in launching models like the 777-300ER and the 777-9 are among the largest operators of the A380. They serve as benchmarks for operational excellence and innovation, consistently striving to introduce newer, safer aircraft models and enhance their safety protocols.

Low-cost, still high security

High safety standards aren't just the domain of premium flyers. AirlineRatings.com also compiled a list of carriers that have managed to merge cost efficiency with commitment to safety, offering passengers the best of both worlds.

The inclusion of airlines from all corners of the globe, including Frontier, Vueling, and Vietjet, also highlights the widespread adherence to safety standards in the budget airline sector.

The criteria for making it onto the list are as rigorous, based on incident records over the past two years and crash records spanning five years. Budget airlines were also scrutinized through audits conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), alongside assessments against the EU banned lists and evaluations of fleet age.

The vetting process ensures that only airlines with a proven track record of safety make the cut, proving that high safety standards are not just the domain of their premium counterparts.

This year's top 20 safest low-budget carriers are:

1. Jetstar
2. easyJet
3. Ryanair
4. Wizz Air
5. Norwegian
6. Frontier
7. Vueling
8. Vietjet
9. Southwest
10. Volaris
11. flydubai
12. AirAsia Group
13. Cebu Pacific
14. Sun Country
15. Spirit
16. Westjet
17. JetBlue
18. Air Arabia
19. Indigo
20. Eurowings

And here are the top 25 major airlines leading the way in flight safety for 2024:

1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Virgin Australia
4. Etihad Airways
5. Qatar Airways
6. Emirates
7. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
8. Finnair
9. Cathay Pacific Airways
10. Alaska Airlines
11. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)
12. Korean Air
13. Singapore Airlines
14. EVA Air
15. British Airways
16. Turkish Airlines
17. TAP Air Portugal
18. Lufthansa/Swiss Group
19. KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines)
20. Japan Airlines
21. Hawaiian Airlines
22. American Airlines
23. Air France
24. Air Canada Group
25. United Airlines