Airlines from Australia and New Zealand have been recognised among the safest carriers in the world in the latest AirlineRatings.com rankings.
AirlineRatings.com assessed the safety performance of 320 carriers worldwide, with Qantas securing third place, Air New Zealand ranked sixth, and Virgin Australia ninth in the full-service category.
Jetstar was recognised as the second safest low-cost carrier globally.
Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ) Chair, Professor Graeme Samuel AC, said safety is the cornerstone of air travel and that airlines from the Tasman region have a long history and solid reputation for maintaining a ‘safety-first culture’.
“The 2026 global airline safety rankings are a testament to the continued and unwavering commitment Australia and New Zealand’s airlines have to delivering the highest standards of safety and operational excellence,” Professor Samuel said.
“These results reinforce what we already know: Australia and New Zealand’s airlines are truly world-class. This achievement reflects the hard work and laser focus on safety by thousands of dedicated professionals across our member airlines,” Professor Samuel said.
AirlineRatings.com conducts its annual review based on rigorous criteria, including safety, operational performance and crew standards. The continued presence of A4ANZ member airlines at the top of these rankings underscores their leadership in global aviation safety.