British Airways (BA) was founded in 1974. The airline, however, can trace its history back to 1919, the year Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited (AT&T) was established, the forerunner of today's BA. AT&T launched the world's first daily international scheduled air service, between London and Paris, on August 25 of that year.

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16. SAS -

Scandinavian Airlines, more commonly known and styled as SAS, was founded in 1954. It is the flag carrier of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

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15. American Airlines -

American Airlines was founded in 1926 as American Airways, Inc. It commenced operations as American Airlines in 1936.

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14. Hawaiian Airlines -

Hawaiian Airlines was founded in 1929 as Inter-Island Airways. It commenced operations as Hawaiian Airlines in 1929.

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13. TAP Air Portugal -

TAP Air Portugal was founded in 1945. It commenced operations the following year, in 1946.

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12. Turkish Airlines -

Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933, initially as Turkish State Airlines. It underwent several name changes over the next 23 years before it was finally named Turkish Airlines in the early 1960s.

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11. Alaska Airlines -

Alaska Airlines was founded in 1932 as McGee Airways. It commenced operations as Alaska Airlines in 1944.

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10. Korean Air -

Korean Air was founded in 1962 as Korean Air Lines. It commenced operations as Korean Air in 1969.

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9. EVA Air -

"EVA" stands for Evergreen Airways, one of the two largest airlines in Taiwan—the other being China Airlines. It was founded in 1989 and commenced operations in 1991.

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8. All Nippon Airways -

All Nippon Airlines is an airline of Japan. It was founded in 1952 as Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane. In 1957 its name was changed to All Nippon Airways Company.

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7. Etihad Airways -

Etihad Airways was founded in 2003. It is one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates, along with Emirates.

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6. Virgin Australia -

Virgin Australia was founded in 2000 as Virgin Blue. It commenced operations as Virgin Australia in 2011. The Australia-based airline is the largest airline by fleet size to use the Virgin brand.

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5. Qatar Airways -

Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 and commenced operations the following year, in 1994.

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4. Emirates -

Emirates was founded in 1985 and commenced operations the same year.

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3. Cathay Pacific Airways -

Cathay Pacific was founded in 1946. It's the largest carrier in Hong Kong, and the third safest airline worldwide in 2025.

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2. Qantas -

Qantas was founded in 1920. It commenced operations in 1922. Qantas is an acronym of the airline's original name, Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services. Qantas was the 2023 winner of the world's safest airline, and this year's runner-up.

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1. Air New Zealand -

Air New Zealand has been named the world's safest airline for 2025. Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited, it commenced operations as Air New Zealand in 1965.

Sources: (Reuters) (Airline Ratings) (Modern Airliners) (British Airways) (Finnair)

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25. United Airlines -

United Airlines was founded in 1926 as Varney Air Lines in Boise, Idaho. It commenced operations as United Airlines in 1931.

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24. Vietnam Airlines -

Founded in 1956, Vietnam Airlines is the national flag carrier of Vietnam and has a major role in Asia's aviation market.

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23. Delta Air Lines -

Founded in 1925, Delta Air Lines is one of the major airlines of the United States and a key player in global air travel. The airline is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia

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22. Air Canada -

Air Canada was founded in 1937 as Trans-Canada Air Lines. It commenced operations as Air Canada in 1965.

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21. Japan Airlines -

Japan Airlines was founded in 1951 as Japan Air Lines. It commenced operations as Japan Airlines the same year.

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20. Lufthansa -

Lufthansa was founded in 1953. It commenced operations in 1955.

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19. Finnair -

Finnair was founded in 1923 as Aero O/Y. The airline began marketing itself as Finnair in 1953.

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18. Iberia -

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17. British Airways -

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16. SAS -

Scandinavian Airlines, more commonly known and styled as SAS, was founded in 1954. It is the flag carrier of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

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15. American Airlines -

American Airlines was founded in 1926 as American Airways, Inc. It commenced operations as American Airlines in 1936.

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14. Hawaiian Airlines -

Hawaiian Airlines was founded in 1929 as Inter-Island Airways. It commenced operations as Hawaiian Airlines in 1929.

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13. TAP Air Portugal -

TAP Air Portugal was founded in 1945. It commenced operations the following year, in 1946.

Shutterstock

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12. Turkish Airlines -

Turkish Airlines was founded in 1933, initially as Turkish State Airlines. It underwent several name changes over the next 23 years before it was finally named Turkish Airlines in the early 1960s.

Getty Images

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11. Alaska Airlines -

Alaska Airlines was founded in 1932 as McGee Airways. It commenced operations as Alaska Airlines in 1944.

Getty Images

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10. Korean Air -

Korean Air was founded in 1962 as Korean Air Lines. It commenced operations as Korean Air in 1969.

Shutterstock

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9. EVA Air -

"EVA" stands for Evergreen Airways, one of the two largest airlines in Taiwan—the other being China Airlines. It was founded in 1989 and commenced operations in 1991.

Shutterstock

17 / 26 Fotos

8. All Nippon Airways -

All Nippon Airlines is an airline of Japan. It was founded in 1952 as Japan Helicopter and Aeroplane. In 1957 its name was changed to All Nippon Airways Company.

Shutterstock

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7. Etihad Airways -

Etihad Airways was founded in 2003. It is one of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates, along with Emirates.

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6. Virgin Australia -

Virgin Australia was founded in 2000 as Virgin Blue. It commenced operations as Virgin Australia in 2011. The Australia-based airline is the largest airline by fleet size to use the Virgin brand.

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5. Qatar Airways -

Qatar Airways was founded in 1993 and commenced operations the following year, in 1994.

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4. Emirates -

Emirates was founded in 1985 and commenced operations the same year.

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3. Cathay Pacific Airways -

Cathay Pacific was founded in 1946. It's the largest carrier in Hong Kong, and the third safest airline worldwide in 2025.

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2. Qantas -

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1. Air New Zealand -

Air New Zealand has been named the world's safest airline for 2025. Founded in 1940 as Tasman Empire Airways Limited, it commenced operations as Air New Zealand in 1965.

Sources: (Reuters) (Airline Ratings) (Modern Airliners) (British Airways) (Finnair)

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The world's safest airlines in 2025

Find out the safest 25 aircraft taking to the sky

7 minutes ago | StarsInsider

TRAVEL Boeing

Airline Ratings, the world’s sole website specializing in airline safety and product ratings, published a list showcasing the most recent data. In making its evaluation, Airline Ratings takes into account "a comprehensive range of factors that include serious incidents, recent fatal accidents, audits from aviation’s governing and industry bodies, profitability, industry-leading safety initiatives, expert pilot training assessment and fleet age."

So, if you're planning to fly anytime soon, you might first want to browse this list of 25 airlines deemed the safest in the air. Click through and find out which airline has claimed the top spot.