The Top 20 Safest Airlines 2020 & Why QANTAS ?

The Top 20 Safest Airlines 2020 & Why QANTAS ?, The Airline Ratings, the world’s only airline safety and product rating website, has announced its Top Twenty Safest Airlines 2020 from the 405 different airlines it monitors.

The Top 20 Safest Airlines 2020

The Top 20 are the who’s who of airlines and, in numerical order, are: Qantas, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Alaska Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Virgin Australia, Hawaiian Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airlines, TAP Portugal, SAS, Royal Jordanian, Swiss, Finnair, Lufthansa, Aer Lingus, and KLM.

According to AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, these airlines are standouts in the industry and are at the forefront of safety, innovation, and launching of new aircraft. “For instance, Australia’s Qantas has been recognized by the British Advertising Standards Association in a test case as the world’s most experienced airline,” Thomas said.

READ: Best Airlines 2020 – Airline Ratings Names Air New Zealand Top Carrier

“Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years and has not had a fatality in the jet era,” he added. “But Qantas is not alone. Long established airlines such as Hawaiian and Finnair have perfect records in the jet era.”

Top 20 Safest Airlines 2020 – Grading Logic and Approach

According to Mr Thomas, the site only looks at serious incidents in making its determinations.

“All airlines have incidents every day, and many are aircraft or engine manufacture issues, not airline operational problems. And it is the way the flight crew handles incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one. So just lumping all incidents together is very misleading. Our top 20 safest airlines 2020 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787.”

READ: The World’s First Country and Airline Safety Comparison Tool

AirlineRatings was launched in June 2013 and rates the safety and in-flight product of 409 airlines using its unique seven-star rating system. It has been used by millions of passengers from 195 countries and has become the industry standard for safety and product rating.

The editorial team is one of the world’s most experienced with almost 50 international and national awards. They have also authored or co-authored more than 28 industry books as well!

Why QANTAS ?

SAFETY RATING CRITERIA

The safety rating for each airline is based on a comprehensive analysis utilizing information from the world’s aviation governing body and leading association along with governments and crash data. Each airline has the potential to earn seven stars. For more information see the disclaimer.

The 7-star safety assessment criteria for all airlines is as follows

Is the airline IOSA certified?

If yes three stars are awarded; if not, no star is given. However, if the airline is involved in a fatal crash the three stars may be withdrawn pending the final outcome of the investigation.

What is IOSA Certification?

The IATA* Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification audit is an internationally recognized and accepted evaluation system designed to assess the operational management and control systems of an airline. IOSA uses internationally recognized audit principles and is designed to conduct audits in a standardized and consistent manner. Airlines are re-evaluated every two years. Registering for IOSA certification and auditing is not mandatory therefore an airline that does not have IOSA certification may have either failed the IOSA audit or alternatively chosen not to participate.
*IATA (International Air Transport Association)

Is the airline on the European Union (EU) Blacklist?

If no a full star is awarded; if yes then no star is given.

What is the EU Blacklist?

A list of airlines banned from flying into European airspace due to safety concerns arising from alleged poor aircraft maintenance and/or regulatory oversight. Airlines banned by the EU may have a flawless safety record however the potential risk towards passenger safety is deemed by the EU as too high and a ban is put in place.

Has the airline maintained a fatality free record for the past 10 years?

If yes the airline is awarded a full star; if not then no star is given.

A fatality is deemed as the death of crew and/or passengers whilst on board the aircraft due to an accident. If deaths occurred through acts of terrorism, highjackings OR pilot suicide they have not been included. If an airline suffered a fatal accident through no fault of its own such as a runway incursion on the active runway (an incident where an unauthorized aircraft, vehicle or person is on a runway) this has also not been included.

One star is deleted from the rating if the airline has had any fatalities to passengers or crew in the prior 10 years. It is our view – and that of our safety consultants – that it takes up to 10 years for an airline’s safety culture to change after an accident. It can also take up to 10 years for the airline to replace older aircraft types, upgrade avionics or systems that may have contributed to the accident.

Is the airline FAA endorsed?

If yes a full star is awarded; if not, no star is given.

What is FAA endorsement?

In the United States, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has a list that bans countries (not airlines) from flying into American Airspace. The ban arises from a deemed inability to adhere to international aviation standards for aircraft operations and maintenance. According to the FAA Web site, “those that do not meet these international standards cannot initiate new service and are restricted to current levels of any existing service to the United States while corrective actions are underway”. An airline or airlines from a prohibited country may have a flawless safety record however the potential risk to safety is deemed too high by the FAA to allow operations in American airspace.

Does the country of airline origin meet ICAO safety parameters?

If the country meets between 6 and 8 one star is awarded to the airline. Five secures 1/2 star. However, if any of the criteria are below the average by less than 5 percent it is considered a pass. If the country only meets up to four criteria no star is given.

What is ICAO and what are the 8 parameters?

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was created to promote the safe and orderly development of international civil aviation throughout the world. It sets standards and regulations necessary for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and regularity, as well as for aviation environmental protection. The 8 ICAO audit parameters that pertain to safety are; Legislation, Organization, Licensing, Operations, Airworthiness, Accident Investigation, Air Navigation Service and Aerodromes. For more information on a particular country visit: http://www.icao.int/safety/Pages/USOAP-Results.aspx.

Has the airline’s fleet been grounded by the country’s governing aviation safety authority due to safety concerns?

If yes an additional star will be taken off the total for five years from the time of the grounding.

Does the airline operate only aircraft built in the former Soviet Union and designed up to 1990?

If yes an additional star will be taken off the total.

QANTAS Full Service Carrier

Product Rating 7/7

QANTAS Economy Class

Domestic

• Full meals and beverage service. Beer and wine served complimentary on transcontinental flights after 12 and on shorter flights between east coast ports after 4pm. Spirits need to be purchased.
• Audio and video on demand through Qantas’ entertainment system. iPads provided on some flights to accompany wireless in-flight streaming of entertainment or use your own device. Qantas in-flight magazine supplied.
• Seat pitch of 30-inch to 31 inch and seat width of 17 inches. On domestic flights, seat selection for general seats is free, extra legroom seats can be requested for a fee.
• Pillows and blankets available on daytime flights and provided on overnight flights.
• Wi-fi on all aircraft by the end of 2018.

International

• Full meals and beverages including alcohol after 12 noon. Additional meals and snacks offered. Self-serve snack bar.
• Audio and video on demand through Qantas entertainment network. Qantas in-flight magazine supplied.
• Legroom average 31 inches and seat width average of 17.5 inches. Seat selection available. A $10 fee is charged for seats with extra legroom.
• Pillows, blankets and amenity kits provided.

QANTAS Premium Economy

International

• Available on A380s and 747s.
• Superior meal service. Complimentary drink on take-off. Self serve snack bar.
• Audio/Video On Demand. Noise cancelling headphones supplied.
• Seat pitch of 38 to 42 inch and width of 19.5 inch with generous recline and extendable leg/footrests.
• In-seat power and USB ports.
• Amenity kits on overnight flights, thick blankets and large pillows provided.

QANTAS Business Class

Domestic

• Full meals service and superior menu.
• Complimentary beverages including extensive range of alcoholic drinks and cocktails. Additional meals and snacks offered.
• Audio/Video On Demand. USB charging port.
• Seat pitch of 37 inch, width of 22 inch. Lie-flat bed on A330s.

International

• Full multiple course meal service with hot and cold meal options and alcoholic drinks
• Audio/Video On Demand on all flights. Noise cancelling headphones supplied.
• Fully lie flat beds (Skybed) on A380s and newly reconfigured 747s and A330s; inclined (9 degrees). In-seat massage facility on A380 and 747’s.
• AC power to every seat. USB port.
• Quality amenity pack with branded cosmetics provided, designer pyjamas and eyeshades offered on selected flights.

QANTAS First Class

International

• Available on A380s only
• Restaurant quality meal service. Eight course tasting menu on selected flights accompanied by wines and spirits
• Audio/video on demand, in seat power, USB port and noise cancelling headphones.
• Large seats transform to fully lie flat beds with blankets, duvets, sheepskins and large pillows provided. Ottoman supplied.
• Superior brand amenity and cosmetic kit supplied. Pyjamas and slippers offered.
• Lie-flat bed with seat pitch of 79 inch and seat width of 22 inch. In-seat massage facility.

Click here for more information about our Qantas reviews and safety ratings system.