Air New Zealand has just been recognised as the safest airline for 2025, AirlineRatings.com reveals.
The airline safety and product rating website evaluated the safety and in-flight offerings of 385 airlines using its own seven-star rating system.
AirlineRatings.com evaluates airlines based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including recent fatal accidents, audits from aviation authorities, safety initiatives, fleet age, and more.
The site also looks into how airlines manage incidents when they occur.
The site does not take into account certain factors such as bird strikes, turbulence-related injuries, and weather diversions, as these are beyond the airlines’ control.
“Air New Zealand boasts an outstanding safety record, with no serious incidents or crashes in the modern jet era,” AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Petersen told Forbes.
“The airline regularly operates in challenging conditions, including Queenstown, one of the most demanding airports due to its high mountain ranges and strong downdrafts.”
Air New Zealand also bagged the same recognition in 2024 and 2022.
“Operational integrity is at the heart of our business. We have a strong culture of safety that puts our team and passengers first. I’m proud of how this culture has been fostered over many years and how it underpins every aspect of the airline’s everyday operations,” Chief executive Greg Foran said.
“A huge thank you to our Air New Zealand team for all they do to keep our airline flying safely,” Foran added.
Qantas secured the second position in the rankings, with only a narrow margin of 1.50 points separating it from Air New Zealand.
“Qantas has had a couple of incidents recently, which ultimately made the difference,” Petersen said.
Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates: These airlines tied for third place, showcasing their strong safety records and high standards of pilot training. They are recognised for their commitment to maintaining safety across their operations.
Here’s the complete list of the 25 safest full-service airlines for 2025:
1. Air New Zealand
2. Qantas
3. Cathay Pacific (tie)
3. Emirates (tie)
3. Qatar Airways (tie)
6. Virgin Australia
7. Etihad Airways
8. ANA
9. EVA Air
10. Korean Air
11. Alaska Airlines
12. Turkish Airlines
13. TAP Portugal
14. Hawaiian Airlines
15. American Airlines
16. SAS
17. British Airways
18. Iberia
19. Finnair
20. Lufthansa/Swiss
21. JAL
22. Air Canada
23. Delta Air Lines
24. Vietnam Airlines
25. United Airlines