Travel has become a necessity, but whenever we are given a choice between affordability, we never deny it. The aviation industry has reached a benchmark with so many airlines and flight options, providing service for every known and remote region. But what comes as a question is, which airline is the safest?
Here, we have listed a few airlines that maintain world-class safety standards alongside competitive pricing. These low-cost airlines rank at the top in the list of 2025's safest airlines, as per AirlineRatings and Skytrax ratings, considering incident records, fleet age, pilot training, financial health, and safety audits. Read on to find the best USA airlines for your low-cost travel in 2025.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines grabbed the 5th position globally for its international safety measures on AirlineRatings. This US-based airline is known for its modern fleet, with an average age of 4.7 years, making it the youngest modern fleet. The airline has also maintained its safety record with no major fatal accidents in recent decades. Frontier Airlines meets all international safety standards, including IOSA certification and favorable ICAO audit results, which makes it a reliable option for flying domestically and internationally. It has maintained a balance between being a no-frills airline and contributing to the highest safety rating for passengers.
Southwest Airlines
The Skytrax ratings have mentioned that Southwest Airlines is ninth among the best airlines for being a safe and reliable low-cost carrier globally. While the airline has recorded a few past incidents, it is the steady measures, pilot training, and compliance with regular safety audits that make it among the top 10 safest US airlines. The airline is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and adheres to its safety standards. The pilots and cabin crew are highly qualified, and the airline operates a stable fleet of Boeing aircraft maintained to high standards.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue has always maintained its position among the top 20 safest airlines. This year, it secured the 17th position on the list of safest and best airlines in the world, offering a reliable option for budget travelers. Wondering how? JetBlue has maintained a clean record with no major fatal accidents in its history. Also, the airline has a young fleet of aircraft that is primarily composed of Airbus A320s. The airline also strives to meet international safety standards. The airline is always regulated by the FAA and other aviation authorities. Despite being a low-cost airline, JetBlue has made affordability and comfort a priority service. It offers free Wi-Fi, seatback entertainment, and extra legroom.
Sun Country Airlines
Featured in the 15th rank of AirlineRatings, Sun Country Airlines is a trusted and the safest domestic airline. Sun Country Airlines has maintained a good safety record and is considered a reliable carrier. While there are a few major incidents recorded in its long history, there have been no recent fatal accidents due to the available assistance. It operates under strict FAA regulations. Also, the pilots and cabin crew undergo rigorous training, which makes the operations safe and reliable. Sun Country has a stable fleet of Boeing aircraft, which is known for its technical standards. At the 2024 Paris Air Show, it was recognized as the best airline in North America.
Allegiant Air
Last on the list of US airlines and 21st globally, the Skytrax ratings and AirlineRatings make it one of the best airlines in the world. The rank in the top 25 makes Allegiant an option to consider if looking for the safest low-cost carriers. Allegiant operates under the strict supervision of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This means all the federal safety requirements are met. The airline also operates a fleet of Airbus aircraft and is maintained according to FAA standards. While Allegiant may not have the polish of larger carriers, it is a viable and safe option as a low-cost airline in the USA.
Low-Cost International Flag Carriers as the Safest Airlines on the Global List
Which airline is the safest if we look into the global list of international airlines by AirlineRatings and Skytrax ratings? Taking the top 3, here are the international flag carriers to mention:
- Jetstar is an Australian carrier and ranks as the second safest low-cost airline in the world for 2025, according to AirlineRatings. It was also recognized as the World’s Safest Low-Cost Airline in 2024. The airline has recorded no serious incidents to date. As the wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, it gets the benefits of pilots' training programs, operational oversight, and regular safety audits. The fleet includes modern aircraft like the Airbus A320neo and A321XLR.
- easyJet, the UK-based low-cost airline, ranks 4th among the safest low-cost carriers for 2025, according to AirlineRatings. With a modern fleet primarily made up of Airbus A320 family aircraft, easyJet maintains high technical standards for safety and reliability. Although it does not currently hold IOSA certification from IATA, which slightly affects its safety score, the airline fully complies with all requirements set by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
- AirAsia Group, with Malaysian Airlines, is in the 6th position as the best airline in the world in terms of safety. The airline meets all the safety standards that make it the safest low-cost airline for 2025, according to AirlineRatings.com. The airline has 205 aircraft across Asia. It is accredited under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program.
