Not all airlines offer the same quality of service. Comfort, punctuality, food, refunds in the case of overbooked flights – services vary greatly depending on the company. But in terms of safety, they should all be on equal footing.
The website AirlineRatings recently published a list of the 20 safest airlines in the world, among the 400 that exist worldwide. The site didn’t announce a grand winner, preferring to put all of the featured companies on an even keel. The companies were evaluated under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation and according to current international regulations. So what were the criteria evaluated? The number of fatal accidents over a 10 year period, the age of the fleet as well as the results of an audit carried out by the International Air Transport Association. Here are the 10 star pupils, which should reassure anyone with a fear of flying.
Note that this list is not exhaustive, and that the order of appearance bears no relevance to the ranking of each airline on the list. All of these companies were equally awarded the title of being among the safest in the world, without any distinctions between them. You can consult the list in full on the Airline Ratings website.
1/ Cathay Pacific, China
Cathay Pacific is a Hong Kong company that is considered one of the best in the world. The reason is that it was elected the airline company of the year four times over.
2/ Emirates, United Arab Emirates
Started in 1985, Emirates has always been known for its high quality service. A little on the elitist side, the Dubai based airline has undergone dramatic development without putting a foot wrong, having had only one (non-fatal) accident in over 30 years.
3/ Air New Zealand
Formerly Tasman Empire Airways Limited, this national airline dates back to 1940. Although it experienced temporary financial difficulties, Air New Zealand has featured among the list of the safest airlines in the world for the past three years.
4/ All Nippon Airways, Japan
The Japanese airline All Nippon Airways was born after the Second World War, as a result of a governmental requirement to create a national air traffic system. The airline received 5 stars in 2013 and has held on to them to date.
5/ Etihad Airways, United Arab Emirates
You may have thought it was Emirates, but Etihad Airways is in fact the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. Started in 2003, the airline won the Travel Trade Gazette award for airline of the year in 2017.
