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How to find out if an airline is safe — and why there isn't more info available
How to find out if an airline is safe — and why there isn't more info available

ABC News

time25-06-2025

  • Business
  • ABC News

How to find out if an airline is safe — and why there isn't more info available

The Air India crash earlier this month in Ahmedabad that killed all but one passenger was the worst aviation disaster in a decade. Less than a minute after take-off, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner bound for London plummeted into the dormitory of a medical college, resulting in the deaths of 270 people. A full investigation is still underway into the cause of the crash. But in the days afterwards, it was revealed India's civil aviation regulator had issued Air India with warnings that safety checks on some of its other aircraft were overdue. The warnings were in relation to three of Air India's Airbus planes found to have been operating despite mandatory inspections being overdue on the "critical emergency equipment" of escape slides. They were not related in any way to the Boeing aircraft that crashed. It left some asking how travellers are supposed to determine which airlines are safer than others. And why is some safety information about airlines not made public? an Australian company, calls itself "the world's only safety and product rating website". It gives airlines around the world a score out of seven stars for safety, based on several measures. For example, it explains: "Has the airline experienced a fatal crash in the last 10 years? Three stars are deleted from the rating if the airline has had any fatalities to passengers or crew in the prior 10 years." But, it says, "If deaths occurred through acts of terrorism, hijackings, OR pilot suicide, they have not been included. Nor if the death is not attributable to the airline (faulty manufactured part)." RMIT University's aviation lead, associate professor Chrystal Zhang, said resources like AirlineRatings could be useful. Dr Zhang said consumers could also search for media coverage or even look at an airline's annual reports to find out how old its aircraft were and get information on its corporate culture and safety records. But she said that ultimately, "from the public's perspective, it is very hard". AirlineRatings and resources like it are limited to publicly available information. In contrast to AirlineRatings, Skytrax — a UK-based consultancy that issues widely recognised quality ratings for airlines — does not publish a comparative rating of airline safety standards or records. "There is no single accurate, global reference of safety standards and/or safety incidents which provides information that can, in our opinion, be truly trusted by passengers, or which supplies total accuracy to customers in choosing an airline," it says. Aviation law specialist John Ribbands said some websites were based on customers' subjective experiences. Airline safety standards fall roughly into two tiers. These are international standards that member-states sign up to, and national laws developed by each country's aviation regulator, Dr Zhang explained. Most countries are members of the Chicago Convention, an agreement established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The convention sets out the core principles for international civil aviation and establishes the rules of airspace, aircraft registration, and safety. But Dr Zhang said how well those standards were implemented by ICAO signatories depended on individual countries' domestic civil aviation laws. In Australia, airlines are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA). CASA spokesperson Peter Gibson said airlines operating in Australia needed to continuously meet safety regulations and standards. Not every detail of an airline's maintenance could be made public, Mr Gibson said, "because it would just make the whole system unworkable". Mr Ribbands explained that Australian regulations required airlines to implement a system of maintenance whereby anything going wrong could be traced back to a single part of the plane. "It's so complex that when an engineer goes and puts a spanner on the aircraft, they've got a sign off on their name, the size of the spanner they used, the size, and part number of the bits and pieces that they put onto the aircraft," he said. Back in 2011, CASA took the unprecedented step of grounding all flights by Tiger Airways. The authority said at the time it did not have "confidence in the ability of Tiger to continue to manage the safety of their operations". Tiger later ceased Australian operations during the COVID pandemic. There are arguments both ways. Dr Zhang said individuals should have the right to the information they need to make informed decisions, but that certain details about safety and maintenance could be commercially sensitive. "Perhaps there could be more detailed [safety] information [in the annual reports] — it's a good debate and conversation that should be had," she added. While air safety records can indicate what happened previously, they cannot predict what happens next, and thus, Dr Zhang said that might not be enough to outweigh the disadvantages of making such records public. Even airlines that are 100 per cent airworthy with exemplary safety records and up-to-date maintenance can still crash due to mechanical failures and weather conditions. Mr Ribbands agreed that making such records publicly available might not be necessary. "It's in the best interest from a marketing and business perspective for the airlines to maintain a safe record," he said. "So, large airlines with large organisations become almost self-regulating." Consumers in Australia should be reassured that Australia's aviation regulators have a "tight system" when regulating Australia's airspace, Mr Ribbands said. "With CASA, it doesn't matter whether you're a small charter operator where you're flying, for example, from Melbourne to Flinders Island, or whether you're on Qantas flying to London, you're subject to the same requirements," he said. Australia is a member of the ICAO, which audits signatory nations regularly. "There's quite a few levels internationally making sure that the system hangs together and delivers the right outcomes," said Mr Gibson. "There's no, sort of, discount that the budget carriers get in terms of safety. "They still have to deliver the same safety performance, regardless of whether the price for the tickets is lower."

Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025
Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025

With aviation incidents frequently in the news, concerns about the safety of flying have been on the rise. If you are wondering just how safe your next flight might be, there's a handy piece of research that will take the guesswork out of your booking. AirlineRatings, an airline review site, has recently released its annual rankings of the world's safest airlines. It lists out the top 25 carriers based on a multitude of factors to give passengers more confidence when they fly. For 2025, the world's safest airline was Air New Zealand for the second year in a row. The Kiwi airline often vies with its antipodean neighbour Qantas for the top spot, taking the crown in 2024 and 2022. The first 11 places in the safest airlines ranking for 2025 are dominated by Asia-Pacific and Middle East airlines. But European airlines put in a good show too, taking seven of the top 25 places on the list. Related Facing a pilot shortage, Swiss cancels flights. Is this a sign of a wider European trend? Flying to the UK next year? New airspace design promises quicker journeys and fewer delays Turkish Airlines, straddling the market between Europe and Asia, is the safest airline in Europe. It came 13th in the global rankings, earning a seven-star rating on the platform. Despite operating to more destinations than any other airline in the world, Turkish hasn't had a fatal accident since 2009, when a Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Nine people died as a result of the crash, but 126 survived. Last year, Turkish Airlines also won awards for its catering and in-flight entertainment and received a 'World Class' rating from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). It was named the 'Best Airline In Europe' by Skytrax. TAP Portugal snagged 14th place in the rankings, making it the second-safest airline in Europe. It hasn't lost a passenger since 1977 and regularly runs fear of flying courses in partnership with the Unidade de Cuidados Integrados de Saúde (UCS). A flurry of European carriers made up the bottom half of the list. In order, they were SAS (16th), British Airways (17th), Iberia (18th), Finnair (19th) and the Lufthansa Group, which also includes SWISS (20th). For Iberia, it has been a transformational year, winning accolades for the best on-time performance, best airline staff and outstanding catering. It's the first time Iberia has made it onto the top 25 safest airlines list. Related Why choosing to carbon offset your flight isn't always the greenest option Toronto plane crash is 2025's latest: Is flying still the safest form of transport? AirlineRatings assesses low-cost carriers separately from their full-service counterparts, and European airlines put in a great showing in the 2025 ranking. Top of the list is behemoth low-cost airline Ryanair, which claimed 3rd place in the global ranking and was the safest budget airline in Europe. In its 40-year history, the airline has never had a fatal accident, and says it 'continues to prioritise the safety and security of our people and customers above all else.' Following closely behind was easyJet, a UK-headquartered airline. It came 4th in the global rankings, making it the second safest European low-cost airline. Like Ryanair, it hasn't had a fatal accident in its 30 years of operations. 'We take our security and safety obligations very seriously,' says easyJet. 'All our planes are checked prior to departure and undergo regular safety checks. Our cabin crew are trained to support you and ensure your comfort and safety at all times.' Further down the list in 7th place globally, Wizz Air secured its place as the third safest low-cost airline in Europe. Again, being a relatively young airline, it has never lost a passenger and has a fleet of new Airbus aircraft averaging under five years old. Also appearing in the top 25 safest low-cost airlines in the world were Norwegian (12th), Vueling (13th), Jet2 (14th), Eurowings (20th) and airBaltic just scraping in at 25th position. Neither Jet2 nor airBaltic were in the top 25 in previous lists. British leisure airline Jet2 pulled itself up the rankings with positive passenger reviews and excellent customer service. It is another fatality-free carrier, with very few even minor incidents reported. For Latvian airline airBaltic, achieving a position among the 25 safest low-cost airlines was a proud moment. 'Safety is and always will remain our top priority at airBaltic,' says CEO Martin Gauss. 'Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for our flight crew and passengers. Being recognised on such a global scale underscores our commitment to excellence.' AirlineRatings grades airlines based on multiple data points, and complements its findings with consultations with pilots and aviation experts. Primarily, the publication studies specific attributes of each airline to determine their safety. These include the age of its aircraft, the number of planes it operates, the pilot training it provides and the rate of incidents reported. Related European budget airlines' hand luggage fees 'violate EU laws', say consumer organisations Why do you have to open your window blind for takeoff? Airline safety rules explained Interestingly, AirlineRatings considers airline profitability, which may seem an unusual attribute to link to safety. However, airlines doing less well financially may be less inclined to invest in training, maintenance and improvements, theoretically lowering their ability to remain safe. The ranking also considers whether the airline is from a country that has passed the ICAO country audit, known as the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). This audit allows ICAO to assess the implementation of safety oversight in the nation and compliance with best practices. Finally, it considers whether the airline has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a global industry standard for airline operational safety auditing.

Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025
Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025

Yahoo

time12-06-2025

  • Yahoo

Scared of flying? These airlines have been ranked the safest in the world for 2025

With aviation incidents frequently in the news, concerns about the safety of flying have been on the rise. If you are wondering just how safe your next flight might be, there's a handy piece of research that will take the guesswork out of your booking. AirlineRatings, an airline review site, has recently released its annual rankings of the world's safest airlines. It lists out the top 25 carriers based on a multitude of factors to give passengers more confidence when they fly. For 2025, the world's safest airline was Air New Zealand for the second year in a row. The Kiwi airline often vies with its antipodean neighbour Qantas for the top spot, taking the crown in 2024 and 2022. The first 11 places in the safest airlines ranking for 2025 are dominated by Asia-Pacific and Middle East airlines. But European airlines put in a good show too, taking seven of the top 25 places on the list. Related Facing a pilot shortage, Swiss cancels flights. Is this a sign of a wider European trend? Flying to the UK next year? New airspace design promises quicker journeys and fewer delays Turkish Airlines, straddling the market between Europe and Asia, is the safest airline in Europe. It came 13th in the global rankings, earning a seven-star rating on the platform. Despite operating to more destinations than any other airline in the world, Turkish hasn't had a fatal accident since 2009, when a Boeing 737 crashed on approach to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Nine people died as a result of the crash, but 126 survived. Last year, Turkish Airlines also won awards for its catering and in-flight entertainment and received a 'World Class' rating from the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX). It was named the 'Best Airline In Europe' by Skytrax. TAP Portugal snagged 14th place in the rankings, making it the second-safest airline in Europe. It hasn't lost a passenger since 1977 and regularly runs fear of flying courses in partnership with the Unidade de Cuidados Integrados de Saúde (UCS). A flurry of European carriers made up the bottom half of the list. In order, they were SAS (16th), British Airways (17th), Iberia (18th), Finnair (19th) and the Lufthansa Group, which also includes SWISS (20th). For Iberia, it has been a transformational year, winning accolades for the best on-time performance, best airline staff and outstanding catering. It's the first time Iberia has made it onto the top 25 safest airlines list. Related Why choosing to carbon offset your flight isn't always the greenest option Toronto plane crash is 2025's latest: Is flying still the safest form of transport? AirlineRatings assesses low-cost carriers separately from their full-service counterparts, and European airlines put in a great showing in the 2025 ranking. Top of the list is behemoth low-cost airline Ryanair, which claimed 3rd place in the global ranking and was the safest budget airline in Europe. In its 40-year history, the airline has never had a fatal accident, and says it 'continues to prioritise the safety and security of our people and customers above all else.' Following closely behind was easyJet, a UK-headquartered airline. It came 4th in the global rankings, making it the second safest European low-cost airline. Like Ryanair, it hasn't had a fatal accident in its 30 years of operations. 'We take our security and safety obligations very seriously,' says easyJet. 'All our planes are checked prior to departure and undergo regular safety checks. Our cabin crew are trained to support you and ensure your comfort and safety at all times.' Further down the list in 7th place globally, Wizz Air secured its place as the third safest low-cost airline in Europe. Again, being a relatively young airline, it has never lost a passenger and has a fleet of new Airbus aircraft averaging under five years old. Also appearing in the top 25 safest low-cost airlines in the world were Norwegian (12th), Vueling (13th), Jet2 (14th), Eurowings (20th) and airBaltic just scraping in at 25th position. Neither Jet2 nor airBaltic were in the top 25 in previous lists. British leisure airline Jet2 pulled itself up the rankings with positive passenger reviews and excellent customer service. It is another fatality-free carrier, with very few even minor incidents reported. For Latvian airline airBaltic, achieving a position among the 25 safest low-cost airlines was a proud moment. 'Safety is and always will remain our top priority at airBaltic,' says CEO Martin Gauss. 'Our dedicated teams work tirelessly to ensure a safe and comfortable travel experience for our flight crew and passengers. Being recognised on such a global scale underscores our commitment to excellence.' AirlineRatings grades airlines based on multiple data points, and complements its findings with consultations with pilots and aviation experts. Primarily, the publication studies specific attributes of each airline to determine their safety. These include the age of its aircraft, the number of planes it operates, the pilot training it provides and the rate of incidents reported. Related European budget airlines' hand luggage fees 'violate EU laws', say consumer organisations Why do you have to open your window blind for takeoff? Airline safety rules explained Interestingly, AirlineRatings considers airline profitability, which may seem an unusual attribute to link to safety. However, airlines doing less well financially may be less inclined to invest in training, maintenance and improvements, theoretically lowering their ability to remain safe. The ranking also considers whether the airline is from a country that has passed the ICAO country audit, known as the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP). This audit allows ICAO to assess the implementation of safety oversight in the nation and compliance with best practices. Finally, it considers whether the airline has passed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), a global industry standard for airline operational safety auditing.

Air New Zealand has a solution to the airplane seat recline debate
Air New Zealand has a solution to the airplane seat recline debate

CNN

time10-05-2025

  • Business
  • CNN

Air New Zealand has a solution to the airplane seat recline debate

(CNN) – In travel news this week: Couples who moved from the US to South America, Venice's radical plan to save the city from flooding, plus Air New Zealand reveals its much anticipated new Dreamliner cabin design. Air New Zealand was named the third best airline in the world for 2025 by but the quality Kiwi carrier isn't resting on its laurels. The airline has just revealed its fully redesigned 787-9 Dreamliner, which was several years in the planning and 184 days in the retrofitting. The new cabin experience is spread across Business Premier, Business Premier Luxe, Premium Economy and Economy. Business Premier seats have sliding privacy screens, a 24-inch inflight entertainment screen, and a full lie-flat recline with a headrest lift for movie-watching. The front row of Business Premier is given up to Luxe seats, which have a full closing door, a larger bed and space for two to dine. Premium Economy seats have increased storage space, side wings for privacy, plus a fixed outer shell so that passengers can recline their seats without disturbing the person behind them — a detente in the reclining seat war. Economy passengers will get 50% bigger inflight entertainment screens, new snack trays and stowage options, plus there's a new Economy Stretch seating option with 39% more legroom. The aircraft will enter service on May 19, flying from Auckland, New Zealand, to Brisbane, Australia. Later that day, the Dreamliner will complete its first long-haul trip from Auckland to San Francisco. A New York couple left the Big Apple behind in January 2023 for a new life in Montevideo in Uruguay, one of the smallest countries in South America. The thirty-something pair, Austin Mullins and Jack Richards, are now permanent Uruguayan residents and are finding locals 'kind and patient' and the city 'a really special place.' An Albuquerque couple relocated to Ecuador two years ago in the hope of enjoying a peaceful retirement. Just as the pair were settling in, however, the country was plunged into a state of emergency. Moving abroad is a decision that requires plenty of research and planning. Some of the best countries for American expats are in Central America, such as Costa Rica and Panama. Here's what to know before you go. The average sea level in Venice has risen nearly a foot since 1900, while the city itself has subsided by close to 10 inches. The famous 'floating city' has become a sinking city, but now there's a daring plan to lift the entire town above rising floodwaters. In Norway's Svalbard archipelago, the runway at the world's northernmost airport is melting. Svalbard locals told CNN how they're preparing for the future. And a teeny low-lying island nation in the Pacific ocean is selling citizenship to save itself from rising seas. Nauru has introduced a controversial 'golden passport' scheme, with a price tag of $105,000, and the money raised will be used to relocate people to higher ground. Alcatraz has been making headlines this week, thanks to President Donald Trump's declaration that he wishes to reopen the notorious prison. The site is currently managed by the National Park Service and scientists recently 3D-mapped the entire island. What they found may change how the historic site survives for the future. She took her mother's old film camera on vacation to recreate her 1990s travel photos. Here's how they turned out. Tragedy turned her world 'upside down.' Then she reunited on vacation with her teenage summer romance. Double-decker passenger planes are a dying breed. These airlines are keeping them alive. It's called the Las Vegas of Asia. But locals say they never go to casinos.

One of World's Top Airlines Announces Bad News
One of World's Top Airlines Announces Bad News

Yahoo

time07-05-2025

  • Business
  • Yahoo

One of World's Top Airlines Announces Bad News

One of the world's top airlines is already seeing a negative impact because of the tariff wars. The CEO of Korean Air did not hold back when asked about the looming impact of the tariffs. 'We're already seeing the downturn in passenger volume between trans-Pacific (routes) and also to Europe,' CEO Walter Cho told CNN. 'It's subtle, maybe 5% compared to last year, but it has some significant impact to our business.' According to CNN, the airline could lose $50 million to $100 million a year if "passenger levels" don't pick up for the rest of the year. 'Korea's economy is in between the US and China, and we depend on both economies as well, quite a bit,' Cho said to CNN. 'We are bracing for the impact we're looking at. I don't expect this year to be great for the Korean economy, and we are looking at our costs as we speak. But I hope, I hope I'm wrong,' he added. Tariffs aren't the only culprit for sluggish passenger volume, he said, citing increased competition. According to Airline Ratings, "Korean Air won the Airline of the Year 2025 for its exceptional focus on passenger comfort, particularly in Economy Class, where it maintains industry-leading seat pitches of 33–34 inches on wide-body aircraft." The CEOS of many major companies have joined Korean Air in voicing concern about the impact of tariffs. They include companies selling household products, shoes, cars, and other items. Brand Finance reported that Korean Air's brand value has increased 33% to $2.6 billion, so there's some positive news for the company, also. Korean Air "climbed two positions to rank 17th among the world's top 50 airline brands in 2025," that site reported. Related: Beloved Toothpaste Company Delivers Bad News

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