British Airways dropped from top 20 world’s safest airlines list – but Virgin is in top 10 – The Sun

British Airways dropped from top 20 world’s safest airlines list – but Virgin is in top 10 – The Sun

01/03/2020

BRITISH Airways has dropped out of the top 20 safest airlines in the world.

The airline was just one of two British airlines to make the list last year, but has failed to retain their position in 2020.

The annual report, released by AirlineRatings.com, analyses a range of safety criteria to determine an airline's safety ranking – but only looking at serious incidents.

They also include the average age of the fleet, government audits and previous incidents.

Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas explains: "All airlines have incidents every day, and many are aircraft or engine manufacture issues, not airline operational problems.

"And it is the way the flight crew handles incidents that determines a good airline from an unsafe one.

"Our top 20 safest airlines 2020 are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of new more advanced aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787."

Despite British Airways no longer being in the top 20, the airline still maintains a seven-star rating, the highest which can be achieved.

They are also fatality-free and are FAA endorsed.

They aren't the only airline to drop out of the list this year – American Airlines, Austrian Airlines and United are all no longer in the top 20.

Virgin Atlantic remains in the top 20 at 12th place, but was beaten by Virgin Australia in 10th place.

Lufthansa and Aer Lingus just made the cut – with Qantas taking the number one spot.

AirlineRatings.com also revealed their top 10 safest low-cost airlines, with Flybe, Vueling and Wizz Air included.

Not included in the list, TUI and Jet2 were given just four stars along with Ryanair, while easyJet was not featured in the research.

Top 20 safest airlines in the world 2019

  1. Qantas
  2. Air New Zealand
  3. EVA Air
  4. Etihad
  5. Qatar Airways
  6. Singapore Airlines
  7. Emirates
  8. Alaska Airlines
  9. Cathay Pacific
  10. Virgin Australia
  11. Hawaiian Airlines
  12. Virgin Atlantic Airlines
  13. TAP Portugal
  14. SAS
  15. Royal Jordanian
  16. Swiss
  17. Finnair
  18. Lufthansa
  19. Aer Lingus
  20. KLM

Nervous flyers can ease any concerns about safe flights, as last year was still one of the safest aviation years on record, according to the Aviation Safety Network (ASN).

Airline deaths increased by 900 per cent in 2018, following the Lion Air crash which killed 189 passengers and a crash in Cuba which killed 112 people.

However, despite the Boeing 737 Max incidents this year, 2019 is the third safest year on record, behind 2017 and 2013.

Last year saw 267 deaths, compared to 2017 (31) and 2013 (224).

It is actually safer to sit backwards on a plane, according to experts – but it costs airlines more.

You might also see a plane being fixed with tape, which is a safe procedure approved by the CAA and FAA.

Sun Online Travel contacted British Airways for comment.

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