Safest airlines in the world, 2016

CNN

It’s the annual announcement every nervous flier awaits with interest: AirlineRatings.com’s safest airline award.

This year the aviation analysts have named 20 leading carriers as the world’s best at ensuring passenger protection.

And, for the third year in succession, it says Qantas leads the 407 airlines it monitors when it comes to aviation safety.

AirlineRatings.com, which launched its annual listing in 2013, says the Australian carrier has an “extraordinary record” with no recorded fatalities since the advent of jet travel.

Completing the top 20 in alphabetical order are: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air New Zealand; 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.

Standout in safety

“Our top 20 safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of new more advanced aircraft,” says AirlineRatings.com editor Geoffrey Thomas. “These airlines are always a byword for excellence in the safety space.

“However there is no question amongst the editors that Qantas remains a standout in safety enhancements and best practice.”

The organization also named its top 10 low-cost airlines for 2016.

These are, in alphabetical order: Aer Lingus, Flybe, HK News, Jetblue, Jetstar Australia, Thomas Cook, TUI Fly, Virgin America, Volaris and Westjet.

AirlineRatings.com’s rating system takes into account audits from aviation’s governing bodies and lead associations as well as government audits and the airlines’ fatality records.

It also examines airlines’ operational histories, incident records and operational excellence.

The awards follow another troubling year for aviation with two significant disasters reigniting security issues and concerns over the mental well-being of aircraft pilots.