Methodology Behind Airline Safety Rankings and Their Continuous Adaptation
Flying Smart and Safe: Demystifying Airline Safety Ratings
Welcome, traveler! With the ever-growing number of airlines out there, choosing one can sometimes feel like a daunting task. One question that's bound to pop up is: how safe is the airline I'm about to hop on? Well, today, we'll dive into the world of airline safety ratings to help you make informed choices, so you can take to the skies with confidence.
Let's start by looking at the story of Geoffrey Thomas, an aviation expert who joined forces with his wife Christine to create the Airline Ratings safety ratings system back in 2012. Their goal was simple: to help travelers feel informed and confident when selecting an airline. After all, in the realm of aviation, trust and reliability are everything!
Over the years, their system has become industry standard, a gold star for those looking to fly safe. But, if we're being honest, many people don't quite understand how their safety ratings work. Here's a quick guide to give you the facts straight up!
Starting at the cockpit: Our ratings begin by analyzing whether the airline has had any serious pilot-related safety incidents. If none are found, the airline gets three stars. If yes, the number of stars varies depending on the severity and frequency of these incidents.
Next up, we take a close look at anything tragic that's happened in the last decade. If there's been a fatal crash involving passengers or crew, three stars are knocked off the rating. But, we don't penalize airlines for accidents caused intentionally by factors like terrorism, hijacking, or pilot suicide. Nor do we penalize airlines for accidents that weren't their fault, like runway incursions. After all, it's about being fair and looking at the whole picture.
Safety Scrutiny: We also gauge how the airline and its country fare in major international safety audits. These include the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) country safety audit, IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), EU airline bans, and FAA safety ratings. If all audits are passed, the airline earns one star. If not, a star gets removed.
As for EasyJet in the UK, while they haven't completed IOSA, their stellar 30-year safety record earns them a star because their safety record speaks for itself.
Annual Star Makers: Each January, we release our list of the World's Safest Airlines, taking a deeper look at all the airlines that have earned a seven-star safety rating. From this exclusive group, we choose top performers across different categories to shine a light on the best in global aviation safety.
But wait, there's more! The world of aviation is always changing, with new safety technologies emerging and our skies getting busier by the day. So, we're about to shake things up a little! In the coming year, we'll be updating our safety rating system criteria to better reflect the realities of modern air travel. This may include factors like airlines' policies around onboard lithium batteries, safety videos, and advanced safety monitoring tools that weren't around even a few years ago.
Our goal is to make sure our ratings are current, accurate, and forward-thinking as the airlines we assess. We'll also be checking and updating ratings more frequently throughout the year, so if an airline makes great progress or takes a step back, their rating will reflect that in real time.
Aviation Adventurers: To every airline we've rated, thank you! Your transparency, dedication, and trust in what we do are much appreciated. To every traveler, you are the fuel that keeps us motivated and accountable. Let's keep flying smart, safe, and together!
For more information on our rating process or to learn about upcoming changes, click here. And don't forget to submit your vote for your favorite airlines and cabin crew while you're here!
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Air travel remains the safest form of transportation. Our mission is to help keep it that way, working closely with our airline partners to promote safety, support best practices, and recognize the extraordinary work being done in commercial aviation every single day.
For media or airline enquiries, reach out to Sharon Petersen at sharon.petersen@our website.
It's time to vote! While you're here, submit your vote for your favorite airlines and cabin crew.
- Working alongside airline partners, the mission is to maintain aviation safety and support best practices, as air travel remains the safest form of transportation.
- The Airline Ratings safety rating system, established by aviation expert Geoffrey Thomas and his wife, Christine, aims to provide travelers with informed choices by evaluating airline safety ratings.
- Aviation safety ratings can account for factors such as pilot-related safety incidents, international safety audits, and an airline's commitment to modern safety technologies.
- In the travel lifestyle, staying informed about airline safety ratings can help travelers make smart decisions, ensuring they choose airlines with excellent safety records during their journeys.
