AirlineRatings.com has assessed the safety performance of 320 carriers worldwide and recognized Australia and New Zealand airlines among some of the safest in the world.
Qantas secured third place, Air New Zealand sixth, and Virgin Australia ranked ninth in the full-service category.
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.”
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.
