Flying can be an exhausting experience — even worse if you’re stressed about your well-being. We found a report that can help set your mind at ease.
WalletHub compiled its latest annual rankings of the best airlines by analyzing U.S. Department of Transportation flight data for the nine biggest national airlines, as well as two regional carriers.
When determining safety rankings, WalletHub gave points to airlines based on the number of fatalities and injuries that were a result of aircraft-related issues.
Older fleets, WalletHub notes, are more vulnerable to operational mishaps and technical glitches, and airlines with younger fleets scored more points on this safety metric.
We’ve compiled a list of the website’s findings for the safest airlines, excluding the regional carriers SkyWest and Envoy.
With that in mind, let’s get into the top safest national airlines, according to WalletHub.
1. Spirit Airlines
Overall safety score: 28.33 out of 30 points
Score for incidents and accidents: 4.33 out of 6 points
Spirit Airlines wasn’t always an airline at all; it began as the Clippert Trucking Co. in 1964. It didn’t shift its focus to the sky until 1980, when it ventured into air charter operations as Charter One.
Introducing jets to its fleet in 1992, the company was renamed Spirit Airlines and began a strategic shift to its low-cost, “no-frills” approach in 2007.
2. Frontier Airlines
Overall safety score: 26.31 out of 30 points
Score for incidents and accidents: 2.31 out of 6 points
Frontier Airlines calls itself “America’s greenest airline” and boasts that its cheaper flights and lower carbon emissions are thanks to having the “youngest fleet in the industry,” which helps boost its safety rating in WalletHub’s ranking.
The average Frontier plane is about four years old.
3. Alaska Airlines
Overall safety score: 25.63 out of 30 points
Score for incidents and accidents: 1.63 out of 6 points
Alaska Airlines traces its roots back to 1932, first operating in Anchorage as McGee Airways and Star Air Service. It took on its current name in 1944. By the late 1940s, using surplus military aircraft, Alaska Airlines branched into worldwide charter work, including the Berlin Airlift in 1948.
The airline has publicly promised to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
How other airlines fared
Following are the rest of the national airlines with their scores for overall safety and scores for incidents and accidents:
- Southwest Airlines: 23.55 (out of 35 points), 4.55 (out of 6 points)
- American Airlines: 23.49, 4.49
- Delta Air Lines: 22.89, 3.89
- JetBlue Airways: 22.17, 1.17
- Hawaiian Airlines: 21.58, 2.58
- United Airlines: 18.00, 0.00
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