19. KLM20. United Airlines
U.S. airlines had a particularly positive showing in overall top 20. Only two of the six American carriers on the 2021 list — Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines — were included on last year’s list.
Alaska Airlines has been named among the world’s safest airlines for the past six consecutive years.
Robert Alexander | Archive Photos | Getty Images
Thomas said that overall, there is little real difference in terms of safety among the 20 airlines named to the list: “They are all standouts.” Safest low-cost airlines for 2021
In response to public interest, AirlineRatings.com announced the 10 safest and “best” low-cost airlines on Monday as well.
In alphabetical order, they are: Air Arabia, Allegiant Air, EasyJet, Frontier Airlines, Jetstar, JetBlue, Ryanair, Vietjet Air, WestJet and Wizz Air. Safest airlines for Covid
Separately, the airline rating website on Monday announced the top 20 airlines for Covid-19 safety compliance.
Those carriers are AirBaltic, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, AirAsia, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Eva Air, Japan Airlines, JetBlue, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Qatar Airways and WestJet.
Singapore Airlines was named among the world’s safest and most Covid-compliant airlines in 2021.
GOH CHAI HIN | AFP | Getty Images
The website added a Covid-19 check to its airline safety comparison charts .
Airlines are awarded a compliance “star” for instituting four of the following six criteria: Covid-19 website information, social distancing while boarding and during the flight, nightly deep cleaning of aircraft, the provision of passenger face masks, personal protection equipment (PPE) for cabin crew, and changes to meal services.
Thomas said 119 airlines achieve the highest Covid-19 rating.
“But it is disappointing to see that 117 get a zero for compliance or have no information for the public on their Covid policies on their website,” he said.

This data comes from MediaIntel.Asia's Media Intelligence and Media Monitoring Platform.