After the pandemic situation, it’s only understandable that travelers are more than cautious. Now that Americans are taking to the skies in droves again, we figured it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to air travel. So here’s our list of the top 5 safest airlines to fly on right now.
After the mega slump in 2020, the airline industry is looking to get back in the game. Having racked up over $250 billion in losses while lockdown restrictions were in place, airlines are keen to mitigate the losses they’ve incurred. The surge in air travel numbers brings cheer to the beleaguered industry.
We’ve been keeping track of the current safety procedures and trends in both U.S. and international airlines. Here’s a compilation (in no particular order) of the top 5 safest airlines to fly on in the current scenario.
Top 5 safest American Airlines in 2023
Hawaiian Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 0
Worst crash: None
Hawaiian Airlines is one of the safest airlines in the United States, which should come as no surprise given its sterling crash-free record. The airline has dedicated itself to safety through intensive maintenance regimens, with a fleet comprised entirely of Boeing aircraft and an average age of 12.8 years, the third-highest in North America. Its planes are furnished with cutting-edge safety equipment to ensure safe flying at all times. Furthermore, they’ve invested extensively in pilot training, including high-altitude courses and other simulators, as well as a “One Team Safety” strategy to monitoring crew engagement while flying.
Delta Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 7
Worst crash: 50 people died in 2006
Delta Airlines is a large American airline that places a high priority on safety. The airline has a great safety record and has received multiple honors for its devotion to safety, including being named the “World’s Most On-Time Airline” for several years in a row by FlightGlobal. To protect the safety of its passengers and crew, Delta Airlines deploys advanced safety technologies, and rigorous training for its pilots and crew members, and continually updates its safety measures. Delta Airlines’ safety standards and track record are well-known in the aviation business.
Alaska Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 3
Worst crash: 257 people died in the crash of 1979
Alaska Airlines takes safety and security very seriously. They have a strict maintenance program. They also have the best “no fly” list in the industry. This keeps unsavory characters from getting on the plane. It has also gone 23 years without a fatal accident. This makes it one of the safest airlines in the United States. The last accident they had was in January 2000.
Every plane is checked every three months to make sure it is safe to fly, and it comes with high-tech safety features that let pilots know right away if something could go wrong. Also, each pilot goes through a lot of training to keep up with the latest changes in how to operate and navigate an aircraft. This includes high-altitude courses and simulators.
American Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years – 14
Worst crash: 271 people died in the crash of 1979
American Airlines is the world’s largest airline in terms of fleet size and revenue. They constantly obtain good safety ratings. This is because of their strong emphasis on maintenance and regulatory compliance. American Airlines received the Airline Transport Association’s Award for Excellence in Safety Management and Operations in 2020. This demonstrates its commitment to passenger safety in all areas.
United Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 11
Worst crash: 111 people died in the crash of 1989
United Airlines is regarded as one of the safest American airlines. They have an impressive and lengthy track record of safety. Their fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320 NEO, are among the most recent and technologically sophisticated in operation today. United Airlines provides its pilots with the most recent industry-accepted skill training. They also have an emergency response plan for all onboard incidents and state-of-the-art emergency simulators for pilot training. This is in addition to rigorous maintenance and repair routines.
Top 5 Safest International Airlines in 2023
Qatar Airways
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 0
Worst crash: None
Qatar Airlines is well-known for its world-class service and luxurious in-flight amenities. Not only do they provide excellent guest service, but their stringent safety standards ensure that travelers may always travel with confidence and peace of mind. Qatar Airlines has a long history of offering exceptional safety standards, as proven by the numerous safety awards they have received.
Qantas Airways
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 0
Worst crash: None
Qantas Airlines prioritizes safety in all of its operations. They follow a tight set of guidelines for training and maintenance, and they are deeply committed to adhering to international aviation safety standards. Furthermore, their fleet contains some of the most current planes on the market. Qantas Airlines provides cutting-edge navigation technology and redundant safety measures as part of its commitment to safety.
Etihad Airways
Major crashes since operations started: 0
Worst crash: None
Etihad Airways is a UAE-based airline that has been offering secure and dependable transportation to places all over the world since 2004. They are consistently regarded as one of the top ten safest airlines in the world, thanks to an impeccable safety record and cutting-edge security systems. Etihad Airways also makes every effort to ensure that every flight is a pleasant experience with excellent levels of comfort and customer care.
Air New Zealand
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 2
Worst crash: 257 people died in the crash of 1979
Air New Zealand takes safety precautions to new heights (pun intended!). They not only strictly adhere to international rules, but their extra precautions set them apart from the competition. They have installed the most advanced avionics systems ever seen in commercial aviation, resulting in a trip with extraordinarily minimal risk of accident or injury. In reality, Air New Zealand has consistently received high marks for airline safety.
Singapore Airlines
Major crashes in the last 50 years: 2
Worst crash: 81 people died in the crash of 2000
Singapore Airlines is a reputed airline with a strong emphasis on safety. The airline has a long history of safety and has won numerous honors for its safety standards and performance, including being voted the “World’s Best Airline” and the “Best Airline in Asia” by Skytrax. To protect the safety of its passengers and crew, Singapore Airlines uses a mix of technology training for its pilots and crew. It also continuously updates its safety measures. The airline is well-known in the aviation sector for its dedication to safety.
Safest Low-Cost Airlines in 2023
- Air Arabia
- AirAsia Group
- Allegiant
- Air Baltic
- easyjet
- FlyDubai
- Frontier
- Jetstar Group
- Jetblue
- Indigo
It’s been three years since the pandemic hit. But the question that’s on travelers’ minds is the same – is air travel safe right now? The American public certainly seems to think so. With borders opening up across the United States and the world, bookings have increased. In fact, the UNWTO anticipates that travel numbers will reach pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
Now that we’ve taken a look at the top 5 safest airlines to be using right now let’s dive into some of the protective measures that airline companies are using to keep passengers’ safety interests at the forefront.
Health screenings:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration recommends infrared body temperature checks with little to no physical contact. Yes, it may raise logistical boarding concerns for airline companies. But these screenings are a viable solution that has proved efficient in identifying passengers that may be a potential flight risk. Many other airline companies have also deemed it necessary for travelers to provide negative COVID-19 test results at the time of boarding.
Strict onboard hygiene:
Face masks, and PPE shields are common sights among crew members and passengers now (a move that International Air Transport Association believes is an appropriate alternative to social distancing). What’s more, onboard janitor services are soon said to be on the way – expect to have your seats, tray and onboard bathrooms wiped down with disinfectant at regular intervals. IATA officials have also attempted to reassure potential travelers that the air circulated within aircraft cabins is of the highest quality, thanks to the installed HEPA filters (High-Efficiency Particulate Air).
Reduced in-flight services:
Close to all short-haul flights have suspended catering services, while long-haul flights have resorted to limited in-flight servicing. This translates to fewer trolley runs and more pre-packaged edibles and drinks available onboard. Boredom killers like touchscreen entertainment systems have been removed or disabled in an attempt to reduce potentially risky contact surfaces. You’ll want to think twice before leaving that tablet behind at home.
What is the #1 airline in the US?
Delta is currently considered the best airline in the US.
Is Delta or United Airlines safer?
According to Forbes, United Airlines is safer than Delta.
Which airline has the least crashes?
Qantas, Hawaiian, and Southwest Airlines have not had even a single plane crash. Other airlines with a similar claim include EasyJet, Ryanair, Virgin Atlantic/Australia/America, and Qatar Airways.
What is the lowest-rated airline in the US?
Wall Street Journal ranked JetBlue the worst airline in the US in 2022.
Which airline is most reliable now?
Hawaiian Airlines is considered the most reliable now.
What are the top 3 American airlines?
Delta, Alaska, and Southwest are currently the top 3 American airlines.
Which is better Delta or United?
In terms of overall ranking, Delta is considered better than United.
How to keep yourself safe while traveling
- Pandemic or not, always follow CDC protocols and airline/airport guidelines on physical distancing, face-covering, and sanitation processes.
- Carry a travel-sized safety kit that includes hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, face masks, and gloves.
- Avoid public transport. Drive yourself to the airport to lower your chance of getting infections on the way to the airport.
- Minimize your risk even further by booking your contactless airport parking spot online before you travel.
Check out our blogs for info on finding top-rated airport parking, the best parking spots in your city, the most affordable insurance for your car, and top-rated car washes near you.
