Top of the list again is Qantas which has a fatality¹ free record in the jet era. Making up the remainder of the top ten in alphabetical² order are: Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways³, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines. 

 

AirlineRatings.com's rating system takes into account a variety of factors related to audits⁵ from aviation's governing bodies and lead associations as well as government audits and the airlines' fatality records. 

 

AirlineRating.com's editorial team, one of the world's most awarded and experienced, also examined airlines' operational histories, incident records and operational excellence⁶ to arrive at its top ten safest airlines. 

 

According to AirlineRatings.com editor, Geoffrey Thomas, "our top ten safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation and launching new planes." 

 

"These airlines are a byword for excellence," he added. "There is no doubt that Qantas is a standout in safety enhancements and an industry benchmark for best practice," said Mr Thomas. 

 

Over its 94-year history Qantas has amassed⁷ an extraordinary record of firsts in safety and operations and is now accepted as the world's most experienced airline. "Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major advancement⁸ in airline safety over the past 60 years," said Mr Thomas. 

 

Responding to public interest, the AirlineRatings.com editors also identified their top ten safest low cost airlines. 

 

These are in alphabetical order: Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, Icelandair, Jetstar, Jetblue, Kulula.com, Monarch⁹ Airlines, Thomas Cook, TUI Fly and Westjet. 

 

"Unlike a number of low cost carriers these airlines have all passed the stringent¹⁰ International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit⁴ (IOSA) audit and have excellent safety records," said Mr Thomas. "Low cost does not mean low safety." 

 

Of the 449 airlines surveyed 149 have the top seven-star safety ranking, but almost 50 have just three stars or less. 

 

Five airlines only achieved one star for safety from AirlineRatings.com. These are: Agni Air, Kam Air, Nepal Airlines, Scat and Tara Air.

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