Today, different passengers prioritise different things when flying. Some value comfort, some ease, and others look at price. However, one thing that everyone who gets onboard an aircraft values above anything, is safety.
This week Air New Zealand took the crown and was named the world’s safest airline for 2025. This is according to AirlineRatings.com, the global authority on airline safety and product ratings. The Oceanic airline outperformed 384 other airlines evaluated, edging out fierce competition, including Australia’s Qantas, to secure the coveted title in this years rankings of ‘full-service’ airlines.
Why Air New Zealand?
The question is, though, what makes Air New Zealand safer than other airlines? As announced by AirlineRatings.com CEO Sharon Peterson, the battle for the top spot was described as “extremely close”, with just 1.50 points separating Air New Zealand and Qantas. However, it seems that it was Air New Zealand’s younger fleet that tipped the scales in their favour.
“While both airlines uphold the highest safety standards and excel in pilot training, Air New Zealand’s commitment to maintaining a modern and efficient fleet gave it the edge,” Petersen stated.
Beyond this, Air New Zealand’s commitment to continuous improvement was obvious. This includes their rigorous training of pilots, diligent approach to safety practices, and investment towards fleet upgrades.
Greg Forna, Air New Zealand CEO, applauded his team for their dedication, stating:
“Safety is at the core of everything we do, and this recognition highlights our commitment to consistently delivering excellence for out passengers.”
This is far from Air New Zealand’s first taste of safety recognition. The airline was also in the spotlight in 2024, when they were also named as the world’s safest airline. And in 2023, when Qantas took the title, Air New Zealand took the second-place spot.
Ranking Criteria
So, what factors lay behind the AirlineRatings.com rankings? The website evaluates airlines across a range of criteria, including:
- Serious incidents over the past two years
- Fleet age
- Fleet size
- Rate of incidents
- Fatalities
- Profitability
- IOSA certification
- ICAO country audit pass
- Pilot skill and training
Air New Zealand’s stand-out performance across these categories underscores its ability to truly value passenger safety.
Notable Mentions
This year’s rankings also highlighted a number of other airlines that were rightly handed recognition for the great work they do within the safety landscape. Qantas retained their position as a close second. Meanwhile, there was a three-way tie for third between Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Emirates. Korean Air also made its debut in the top 10 with the help of its improved safety procedures.
Elsewhere, Singapore Airlines and KLM, often considered safety stalwarts, failed to make this year’s list due to various isolated incidents. Regardless of their absence, both airlines managed to maintain their seven-star (out of seven-star) safety rating.
Passengers will always prioritise safety when choosing airlines, and Air New Zealand’s achievement underscores their unfaltering commitment to aviation excellence. Whether it is a small between cities in New Zealand or a long-haul international journey, you can feel assured that with Air New Zealand, you will be flying with the world’s safest airline.
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