In today’s world, airline passengers always face a certain amount of risk when they step onboard a commercial airplane. While some factors are outside of an airliner’s control, airline policies and procedures can improve or reduce overall safety and security. This January, Airlineratings.com released a list of the safest airline companies in the world. This is an excellent resource if you’re planning to travel.
What Does Airlineratings.com Do?
Airlineratings.com is an independent website that conducts safety and rating reviews so fliers can make informed choices when they book their next flights. The site includes over 400 airlines from around the world and ranks them based on criteria including formal aviation audits, safety data, and aviation association information. The company rates the airlines using a 7-star system. Overall, 148 airlines have a 7-star ranking. Only 10 have a one-star ranking.
The Safest Airlines to Use in 2016
According to the review, these are some of the most reliable airlines passengers can choose to fly on in 2016. Qantas ranked number one for three years running. The largest Australian airline has a zero-fatality record, and the pilots who fly for the company are widely considered some of the best in the world. Qantas also owns the Jetstar airline and QuantasLink.
The other 19 safest airlines all earned 7-star ratings for safety and products, including (listed alphabetically, not by ranking): Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airlines, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, and Virgin Australia.
In addition to the overall winners in safety, Aer Lingus, Flybe, HK Express, Jetblue, and Jetstar Australia made the list for top cost-friendly airlines.
What About Other Well-Known Airlines?
You may not recognize or regularly use many of the airlines ranked among the safest in the world. Here’s info about some of the other widely used airlines:
- Delta. Delta has a safety rating of 7 and product rating of 5. The airline is known for its in-flight entertainment, extensive networks, and availabilities. Delta is a safe bet if you’re looking for a trusted airline.
- British Airways. This popular airline earns a 7-star safety rating and a 6-star product rating.
- Southwest Airlines. The domestic airline does not fare as well as some of the larger airlines, earning a safety rating of 5 and a product rating of 4. While offering low-cost flights, many passengers have complained in recent years regarding the lack of amenities and cramped seating.
Worst Airlines Around the World
Unfortunately, not all airlines offer high levels of safety, and some may be downright dangerous. Many of the worst airlines in the world serve small regional areas. The most hazardous airline companies include Batik Air in Indonesia, Bluewing Airlines in Suriname, Citilink in Indonesia, and Sriwijaya Air/Nam Air in Indonesia. These and a handful of others consistently earn some of the lowest ratings in the world.
Getting Onboard
Safety and product ratings only tell part of the story. Many fliers are turning to social media to hear how airline companies resolve issues with customers before booking a ticket, particularly if several companies offer the same flight schedule. Before you schedule your next flight, check out the overall safety ratings and customer reviews the airline has earned.
If you do experience an injury onboard due to a negligent flight attendant or unsafe conditions, contact a West Virginia aviation accident lawyer at Tiano O’Dell, PLLC. You deserve to have a safe flying experience, and when a company or individual fails to address potential hazards, you have the right to take action.