The safest airlines in Russia and the world - 2022

The holiday season is approaching, which means that the demand for air carrier services will increase significantly. Fear of flying leads many travelers to choose an airline primarily based on safety ratings.

How the safety rating is calculated

For the past 16 years, the audit company Jacdec (Germany) has been ranking the safest airlines in the world. Since 2018, the Safety Risk Index has been used instead of the Safety Index used for 15 years.

To determine the indicator, the following data are considered:

• Information on incidents (accidents, catastrophes) for the last 30 years, taking into account the number of passengers carried and the total distance of flights. The presence of incidents that did not lead to an accident during the same period of time. The number of aircraft lost beyond recovery.
• Various performance indicators of the airline, including the age of the aircraft, security checks by international organizations (IOSA, IKAO).
• Additional factors (state of airport infrastructure, weather conditions).

In total, the formula for calculating the airline safety rating is based on 33 points.

Top ten of the updated rating (2018):

• Emirates;
• Norwegian;
• Virgin Atlantic;
• KLM;
• Easy Jet;
• Finnair;
• Eithad Airways;
• Spirit Airlines;
• Jetstar Airways;
• Air Arabia.

The Russian company Aeroflot occupies 73rd place out of 100 in this list.

Specialists of the Swiss Air Transport Agency (ATRA) believe that one of the main criteria (there are 15 in total) when compiling a safety rating is the degree of training of pilots and dispatchers. According to 2014 data, among the leaders are Air China, Delta Air Line, Air France KLM Group, US Airways Group.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has developed its own safety and reliability assessment system - the SAFA coefficient. To determine it, aircraft landing in the EU are checked for 54 items. If a certain value of the coefficient is exceeded, the airlines are taken under special control of the European Commission. Research data is not publicly available.

How to choose an airline in terms of safety

If for the first time you are puzzled by the choice of an air carrier, information about their types and varieties of flights will not be superfluous.

Airline types

• Long-haul. Flights lasting 6 or more hours are carried out.
• Medium-haul. Their route network is dominated by flights that take less than 6 hours.
• Semi-discounters. Attract passengers with tickets at a lower price than medium-haul companies. At the same time, in-flight meals are offered for an additional fee, there are restrictions on the amount of luggage.
• Low-cost airlines. Low ticket prices are offered without additional services. Thus, the cost of baggage, for example, may be equal to the amount paid for the ticket. The carrier has the right to cancel any flight. When choosing a discounter company, you need to weigh the pros and cons so that the benefit of a low flight price is not leveled by the lack of services that are important to you.

Flight types

• One way (one or more flights);
• Both ends. The journey starts and ends at the same point, passes along the same route on the aircraft of the same company.
• Round. In the opposite direction, they fly in a different way or on an aircraft of another carrier.

Passenger service classes

• The first;
• Business Class;
• Economic class.

They differ from each other in the comfort of seats, the size of baggage carried without payment, the quality of the menu, and the availability of additional services.

Both “classic” and low-cost carriers have their own leaders, who are very popular with passengers, known for their reliability and level of service, leading the top lines of various ratings. If we talk about global air carriers, then these are, for example, Lufthansa, Emirates, Air France - KLM, AirNew Zeland, VirginAtlantic.When planning budget flights, you should pay attention to the airlines AirAsia, Ryanair, EasyJet, Germanwings, Red Wings, Pobeda.

It would be useful to familiarize yourself with the global airline safety rating, as well as domestic Russian reviews and studies.

An important criterion for the safety of the carrier is the age of the aircraft, the smaller it is, the better (although with proper maintenance, aircraft can serve for many years, according to statistics, accidents occur more often with older models). For those who understand the topic, additional information for reflection can be extracted by knowing the type of aircraft. For example, the Boeing 767 is designed to carry up to 240 passengers, which can be significant if you don't like a crowded society.

Rating of the safest airlines in Russia and the world

Note: The “Average Price” section provides an example of the cost of a flight to one of the popular destinations.

Russian Airlines

In our country, air transportation services in Russia and around the world are carried out by more than 70 companies, both private and public.

Ural Airlines

Headquarters: Yekaterinburg.

The company's aircraft fleet includes 44 aircraft of various sizes, the average age of which is 12 years. The air carrier carries out intercity and international flights in 183 directions. Since the start of operations, there have been three incidents that did not result in loss of life due to the experience of the pilots. The company has an IOSA certificate confirming compliance with international safety standards.

• Electronic registration;
• There is a bonus program "Wings";
• A fleet renewal program is underway;
• System of special offers;
• Aircraft maintenance on a tight schedule;
• Regular courses to improve the skills of pilots.

• Flight delays and cancellations;
• There are user complaints about the incorrect operation of the online ticketing service;
• Some passengers find small portions of food.

Average price: flight Moscow-Bangkok (Thailand): 22,030 rubles.

Aeroflot - Russian Airlines

Headquarters: Moscow.

The company was founded in 1923. The fleet consists of 232 aircraft (average age is 4 years). Aviation consulting company Skytrax awarded Aeroflot 4 stars for the level of service (2016). Since the activity of the air carrier, there have been only 4 disasters. The route network includes destinations in Russia, the CIS and different parts of the world (including Thailand, China, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Spain, which are popular with our compatriots).

• Aeroflot Bonus incentive program;
• Good feedback from users about the professionalism of the crew and the quality of service;
• One of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world;
• Special services for persons with disabilities;
• It is possible to pre-order special meals.

• There are cases of lost luggage;
• Cases of cancellation of flights without prior notification of passengers;
• Complaints about the quality of service at the airport, the complexity of resolving disputes;
• Long response time to claims.

Average price: Flight Moscow-Bangkok (Thailand) - 14,058 rubles.

S7 Airlines

Headquarters: Novosibirsk region, Ob.

Founded in 1992 on the basis of the Tolmachevsky united air squadron. The fleet consists of 80 aircraft, the average age of which is 8 years. During the company's activity, three resonant air crashes occurred.It carries out domestic and international flights to more than 130 destinations (CIS countries, Europe, the Middle East and Asia). After passing the relevant procedures for compliance with security standards, the company is included in the list of IOSA operators.

• Many good reviews about the professionalism of the pilots;
• Online Services;
• Frequent Flyer Incentive Program;
• Current member of IATA (International Air Transport Association);
• Wide network of flights across Russia.

• There are negative reviews about the quality of service on board.

Average price: flight Moscow-Bangkok (Thailand) - 14,083 rubles.

Utair

Headquarters: Tyumen.

The company has been leading its history since 1967. It performs not only passenger, but also cargo transportation, including helicopter transportation. Carries out air transportation in Russia and abroad. The air fleet includes 65 aircraft, the average age is 15.4 years. The number of accidents during the operation of the air carrier is 8, with 80 dead.

• Positive feedback on the professionalism of the pilots;
• Friendly service;
• Cheap tickets;
• Utair Status Loyalty Program.

• There are negative reviews about the service at check-in;
• There are complaints about the work of the call center;

Average price: Moscow-Berlin: 6,308 rubles. (standard economy).

Foreign airlines

Emirates

Headquarters: Dubai.

One of the largest airlines in the world. It began to transport people by air in 1985. There are 261 aircraft in the fleet. In the Russian direction, it operates flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg.

• High level of service;
• New planes;
• Polite staff;
• Tasty food;
• Ice entertainment system;
• It is convenient to fly to Thailand.

• There are complaints from users about the loss of luggage.

Average price: Moscow-Barcelona flight - 79,340 rubles. (with transfer in Dubai).

Norwegian Air Shuttle

Headquarters: Forneby (Oslo).

Budget airline. The air fleet consists of 117 aircraft. In Russia, it operates flights to St. Petersburg. In total, the route list includes 120 destinations around the world, connecting Europe with the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

• New planes;
• Low prices;
• Profitable to fly to Europe;
• Good level of service.

• Not found yet.

Average price: flight Riga-Barcelona - 258.20 dollars.

Virgin Atlantic Airways

The company specializes in long and medium distance flights to 31 destinations (Africa, North America, the Middle East, Asia, the Caribbean, Australia). The air fleet is equipped with 37 aircraft.

• High level of service;
• Good nutrition;
• Polite staff.

• Economy class has small seats, according to some passengers.

Average price: Dubai-London flight - 42,330 rubles. (Economy class).

KLM

Headquarters: Amsterdam.

This Dutch airline was founded back in 1919. It is currently part of the Air-France-KLM holding. It operates both domestic and international flights, including flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg. The company's aircraft fleet consists of 117 units. There are about 150 destinations in the route network.

• Good level of service;
• Polite staff;
• It is part of the Sky Team aviation alliance.

• There are cases of lost luggage.

Average price: Flight Moscow-Madrid (with a transfer in Amsterdam) - 17,402 rubles.

Easy Jet Airline Company Limited

Headquarters: Luton.

One of the largest low-cost airlines in Europe (low-cost airlines). Founded in 1995. The air fleet consists of 280 aircraft. The company's route network includes more than 600 flights.

• Cheap tickets can be purchased;
• New planes;
• Lots of flights in Europe.

• There are cases of damage to luggage;
• Meals on the way for a fee;
• Doesn't fly to Russia.

Average price: Flight Amsterdam - Lisbon - 77.23 euros.

Finnair

Headquarters: Vantaa (Finland).

This Finnish airline has been operating by air since 1923. Since 1963, no fatal accidents have been recorded and not a single aircraft has been lost. The company operates domestic and international flights, including to Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Samara). The air fleet consists of 71 aircraft.

• High level of safety and reliability;
• Convenient flight schedule;
• Favorable prices with pre-purchased tickets;
• Polite flight attendants;
• When transporting an animal, you can take it into the cabin.

• There are no free meals on short flights.

Average price: Flight St. Petersburg-Barcelona - 26,414 rubles.

The plane is considered the safest mode of transport. Not all passengers suffer from aerophobia, but probably everyone feels a different degree of excitement during the flight. To reduce the level of anxiety, it is useful to look at the ratings of reliable airlines, if possible, choose a carrier with a name and history that invests in updating the air fleet and cares about the comfort and safety of passengers.