Airline safety rankings' functionalities explained and their ongoing transformations detailed
Buckle Up for a Peek Behind the Safety Curtain!
April 17, 2025
5 Minute Read
Airline News --- Safety
By Sharon Petersen
Say goodbye to blind faith and hello to informed choices – that's been the mission of Aviation guru Geoffrey Thomas and his wife Christine since they established the Airline Ratings safety ratings back in 2012. In an industry where trust and dependability are paramount, they believed that safety should be a visible, recognized, and celebrated aspect of air travel – not just a given.
Over the years, their system has grown, and believe us, the number of big-name airlines that made safety improvements due to Airline Ratings was truly astounding. Today, these independently maintained proprietary safety ratings are widely regarded and respected as the ultimate standard for travelers seeking to fly safely.
It's no secret that many folks don't fully grasp how we rate airline safety or what's behind the 1-7 star safety rating on our site. That's nothing to stress over – safety isn't exactly a walk in the park, and while all the data is available on our site for each airline, we thought it was high time to break it down in a straightforward and approachable manner.
You see, our ratings are all about giving travelers peace of mind and helping them feel more prepared. Every star in our 7-star system is earned through actual, on-the-ground performance and rigorous criteria. Here's a closer look at how we make those choices:
1. Pilot-Related MishapsWe begin by examining whether the airline has experienced any significant pilot-related safety mishaps. No foul play detected? Congratulations, the airline earns three stars. Yes, they've had issues? The airline receives between zero and two stars depending on the gravity and frequency of the incidents.
2. Recent Fatal AccidentsThis might be the most delicate aspect of our rating process.
- Fatal crashes involving passengers or crew in the last decade? Three stars will get the axe.
We choose a 10-year timeframe because it's our belief that it takes that long for a carrier's safety culture to transform fundamentally – whether that means upgrading aircraft, investing in technology, or overhauling internal systems and training.
It's crucial to note that not all fatalities are treated as equals:
- Accidents brought on by terrorism, hijacking, or pilot suicide won't result in star deductions.
- Airlines are also spared penalties for accidents that weren't their fault, such as runway complications caused by another aircraft or vehicle.
We pride ourselves on being fair, impartial, and considering the entire picture.
3. International Safety EvaluationsUp next, we analyze how the airline and its home country perform in essential international safety audits. Some of these include:
- IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit)
- ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) country safety audit
- EU airline bans
- FAA safety ratings
A passing grade nets the airline a star. Fail, and the star gets a big, fat red X.
An exception is made for airlines like EasyJet (UK). They didn't complete IOSA but boast an impressive safety record with no crashes in their 30-year history – they still get the star because their track record speaks volumes.
Each January, we publish the World's Safest Airlines, which takes a closer look at every airline that has earned the top 7-star safety rating. From this list, we select the top performers across different categories to highlight the crème de la crème of global aviation safety.
If you'd like more in-depth information about our selection process, you can find it here.
The world of aviation is ever-changing, and we've spent the past few years reflecting, listening, and learning. This introspection has led us to the conclusion that it's time for an update to our safety rating system.
Stay tuned as we enter the new year, and we'll be revamping our criteria to reflect the realities of modern air travel. Possible changes include assessing:
- Airline policies surrounding onboard lithium batteries
- Whether safety videos deliver the vital message to leave belongings behind in the event of an emergency
- The use of cutting-edge safety monitoring tools that didn't even exist a few years ago!
Our goal is simple: to ensure our ratings remain as current, accurate, and future-focused as the airlines we evaluate.
Behind the scenes, we'll also be keeping a closer eye on incidents and updating the ratings more frequently throughout the year. If an airline steps up its game or unfortunately falls behind, its rating will reflect those changes in real-time.
This is a significant leap for us. But it's a necessary step forward, one driven by concern for the industry, for the remarkable individuals working tirelessly behind the scenes, and for the countless travelers trusting our ratings when choosing their airline and cabin crew.
A heartfelt thanks to every airline we've assessed, for your transparency, your devotion to safety, and your continued trust in what we do.
And to every traveler who's ever consulted our site, checked a safety rating, or reached out with a question – we salute you! Your enthusiasm for traveling safely and intelligently keeps us motivated and dedicated to our mission.
Rest assured, air travel remains the safest mode of transportation around. Our goal is to assist in maintaining that status, and to work even more closely with our airline partners to promote safety, champion best practices, and honor the exceptional work happening in commercial aviation daily.
For press or airline inquiries, please contact:
Sharon Petersen
sharon.petersen@ourwebsite
IT'S TIME TO VOTE! While you're here, cast your vote for your preferred airlines and cabin crew!
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- The Airline Ratings safety ratings, established in 2012 by Geoffrey and Christine Thomas, have significantly influenced airline news within the transportation and aviation industry, as many airlines have made safety improvements to meet their rigorous criteria.
- In determining airline safety ratings, Airline Ratings meticulously examines pilot-related mishaps, recent fatal accidents, international safety evaluations, and other factors to award a 1-7 star safety rating, providing travelers with vital information to make informed choices.
- Aviation lifestyle enthusiasts and finance-savvy individuals often follow airline news, including the rankings published by Airline Ratings, as they seek to prioritize safety when choosing airlines for travel – a significant consideration in the luxury lifestyle sector and the finance industry.
- As the global aviation industry evolves, Airline Ratings continues to adapt its safety evaluation system, with plans to assess airline policies surrounding onboard lithium batteries, the effectiveness of safety videos, and the use of cutting-edge safety monitoring tools in the near future.
