In this review, we will go down the list of seven of the world’s safest airlines. These air carriers were selected based on criteria that include policies and protocols, as well as incident records, and even average fleet age.
Some entries are repeat winners, and others have climbed up the ranks recently thanks to recent updates. So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
JetStar
Second-Highest Safety Rank Of All LCCs
Jetstar Airwaysis one of the safest and highest performing low-cost airlines in the world. As a subsidiary of the Qantas group, it is one of the most important operators in the Oceania and Asian region. It has an exceptionally high safety record but is sometimes jokingly referred to as “Death Star” for its extreme cost-cutting measures.
According to AirlineRatings.com, Jetstar is the second-safest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the world for 2025, only surpassed by HK Express. Since its founding in 2004, the airline has kept a spotless safety record with no fatal incidents. It keeps its flawless 7 of 7 safety rating. This is largely explained by the airline “shadowing” Qantas’ maintenance standards, pilot training procedures, and safety management systems.
As of late 2025, Jetstar is in the middle of a major fleet upgrade, replacing older aircraft with the Airbus A321LR. The new jets are 15% more fuel-efficient and significantly quieter. Unlike many budget airlines, Jetstar operates a dedicated long-haul fleet of Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, allowing it to fly direct from Australia to destinations like Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Hawaii.
HK Express
The Safest LCC In The World
HK Express is the only LCC based in Hong Kong, and a subsidiary of Cathay Pacific. It was selected as the safest LCC in the world for 2025 by Airline Ratings criteria. It received a 7-Star PLUS safety rating that year, making it the first low-cost carrier to do so globally. The award was given after six anonymous audits that evaluated dozens of criteria, including cabin safety procedures and operational safety.
HK Express operates an all-Airbus A320 family fleet with an average age of under eight years old. As of late 2025, the fleet consists of approximately 44 aircraft, with plans to expand to 60 by 2028. The airline serves approximately 30 destinations across Asia. Operating as a separate brand from Cathay Pacific, it follows a no-frills model in which passengers pay for add-ons such as baggage and seat selection. The airline has earned a strong reputation for highly reliable service, leading its market segment.
Which Low-Cost Airline Gives The Best Value For Money?
When originally conceived, all airlines running off the popular low-cost no-frills model were essentially the same. Aircraft were all in full tourist class (economy) layouts, with no meals provided for free, and baggage often costing extra.
These days, however, low-cost airlines come in a wide variety of styles, ranging from borderline full-service / hybrid-style airlines like JetBlue, through to true no-frills ULCCs such as Ryanair. Of course, there is also a wide spectrum of service quality and price in between.
With this in mind, which LCC gives the best value for money in your opinion? How many have you flown on, and are there any that remain on your wishlist? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
This is user-generated content. The views and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Simple Flying.
Emirates
Tied For Third In The World
Emirates is one of the two flying carriers of the United Arab Emirates and has a unique widebody-only fleet of commercial airliners. With a 7-Star PLUS safety rating for 2025, it is acknowledged for both its luxury and its superior safety standards. The airline tied with two others for third place in this year’s ranking. The carrier has never had a fatal accident in the jet era of commercial aviation.
Emirates became the world’s fastest-growing operator of the Airbus A350-900 in 2025, with 13 new units delivered this year. These new jets will be deployed to seven new cities, including Oslo, Istanbul, and Ho Chi Minh City. It is still the largest operator of the Airbus A380 (116 in service) and Boeing 777 (133 in service). At the 2025 Dubai Airshow, the airline added 65 new 777-9s and eight new A350s to its backlog, bringing its total commitment to more than 300 new aircraft.
In late 2025, Emirates expanded its cabin refresh program to include an additional 111 aircraft (60 A380s and 51 Boeing 777s). Retrofitted aircraft include the new business class (1-2-1 layout with privacy doors) and the popular Premium Economy cabin. Emirates will begin providing free, high-speed Starlink WiFi to its retrofitted and new delivery fleets in late 2025.
Qatar Airways
Neck In Neck With The Best
Qatar Airwaysis the one and only flag carrier of the state of Qatar and is world famous for its exceptionally high standards of service and cabin products, as well as a near-perfect safety record. Since it started operating in 1994, the airline has had no fatal passenger crashes. It maintains a 5-Star Skytrax ranking and the highest possible seven-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com, indicating strict adherence to global safety standards, including IATA Operational Safety Audits (IOSA).
In 2025, Skytrax named Qatar Airways the “World’s Best Airline” for the ninth consecutive year, a testament to its consistent quality and passenger satisfaction. Qatar Airways is well-known for its Qsuite Business Class, which features privacy doors and the industry’s first business class suites with beds, ensuring a luxurious and private experience. As a member of the oneworld alliance, it flies to over 170 destinations on all six inhabited continents. It is based at Doha’s cutting-edge Hamad International Airport (DOH), which has been named the “World’s Best Airport” by Skytrax several times.
In 2025, the airline completed installing free, high-speed Starlink satellite internet across its entire 777 fleet. The airline operates a modern fleet of over 200 aircraft, including the A350 and 787 Dreamliner, which are known for their advanced technology and fuel efficiency. The average fleet age of its aircraft is just 10.1 years.
This Airline Has The World’s Fastest-Growing Airbus A350 Fleet In 2025
The leading extra-widebody buyer of the year.
Cathay Pacific
A Safety Leader Of The World
This airline made history this year when it became the first full-service airline to be awarded the 7-Star PLUS Safety Rating by AirlineRatings.com. This new award was given out after a thorough 70-point audit that assesses operational safety and the quality of safety procedures during the passenger experience, such as professional safety briefings and lithium battery policies.
In 2025, Skytrax maintained Cathay Pacific’s 5-Star rating, ranking it third-best in the world. In the first half of 2025, the airline’s passenger network reached more than 100 destinations. The average age of the 234 aircraft operated by the Cathay Group is between 12.3 and 12.9 years. The Airbus A330-900neo and A350F freighters are among the 93 new aircraft that the airline has ordered.
In 2025, Cathay completed the rollout of its new Aria Suite Business Class on its retrofitted Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Features include privacy doors and a 24-inch 4K widescreen monitor. Enhanced storage, wireless charging, and “Gallery in the Skies” artwork from Hong Kong artists. In August, the airline achieved its goal of providing 100% high-speed WiFi connectivity across its entire fleet.
Qantas
Number Two Mainline Carrier
Qantas, also known as ” The Flying Kangaroo,” has received numerous accolades for its safety record, pioneering long-haul travel, and premium service. This year, it finished second, thanks to a higher average fleet age. The airline is famous for having no fatalities during the jet era. Over its 105-year history, it has pioneered the use of flight data recorders, among other significant operational safety advancements.
Travelers selected Qantas as the airline that offers the “greatest peace of mind” when flying, and it won the Flyers’ Choice Awards in 2025. The only airline in the world that operates flights to all seven continents, including sightseeing flights over Antarctica, is Qantas. The biggest fleet renewal in Qantas’ history is currently taking place. Its mainline fleet is about sixteen years old on average as of late 2025. The aging Boeing 717s and 737s are being replaced by new Airbus A220s and A321XLRs.
The ambitious “Project Sunrise” aims to launch the world’s longest nonstop flights from Sydney to London and New York. The first specially designed Airbus A350-1000 aircraft is expected to be delivered in late 2026, with full commercial service targeted for the first half of 2027. Its current long-haul operations rely on the 787-9 Dreamliner (age 6.7 years) and the A380 (age 16 years), with 10 refurbished and returned to service by 2025.
Results Are In: Qatar Airways Wins SKYTRAX World’s Best Airline Award
The SKYTRAX World Airline Awards have been running since 1999 and are among the most recognized honors in the industry.
Air New Zealand
Top Full Service Carrier
The national airline of New Zealand, Air New Zealand, was named the safest airline in the world for 2025 by Airline Ratings. Thanks to its younger fleet and dependability when operating in some of the most challenging weather conditions on the planet, it just edges out its frequent competitor, Qantas. The airline hasn’t seen a significant accident since Flight 901 in 1979.
The airline frequently operates at Queenstown Airport, one of the world’s most difficult, with high mountain ranges and strong downdrafts. The skilled pilots of Air New Zealand fly 115 aircraft in its fleet as of the last count. Its international long-haul flights are served by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 777-300ERs, with the average age of its fleet around 10.5 years.
The airline is a pioneer in cabin innovation, creating the Skycouch (economy seats that convert into a flat bed) and the Skynest, which is the world’s first sleep pods for economy passengers. As the carrier resumed service to London Gatwick (LGW) this summer, the bunkbed-style sleeping option will be a hot commodity for long-haul travelers in the future when it debuts in 2026. Flyers in every cabin class can rest easy knowing that Air New Zealand will safely get them to their destination.
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