2025s Safest Low-Cost Airlines: Top 10 Revealed
Low-cost carriers safely deliver around five billion passengers a year, matching the safety records of full-service airlines. With low-cost carriers now representing 40% of global airline capacity—exceeding 50% in some European markets and around 35-40% in North America—passengers increasingly value extra confidence in safety ratings. To provide that assurance, AirlineRatings, an airline review site, evaluates safety based on more than just incident records. The site also considers fleet age, pilot skills, profitability, and expert consultations with check pilots and aviation professionals. Their comprehensive research has culminated in the top 10 safest low-cost airlines for 2025.
Topping the list is Hong Kong Express, ranked as the safest airline in the world for the first time. Founded in 2004 and acquired by Cathay Pacific in 2019, HK Express has rapidly evolved from its origins as a full-service carrier to a dynamic low-cost airline. Operating a fleet solely comprised of Airbus A320 family jets—primarily larger A321s with a balanced mix of neo and CEO models—HK Express has maintained an impeccable safety record over its 20-year history. “Safety is paramount to HK Express, ensuring our customers and crew are secure 24/7,” the airline proudly asserts.
Following closely is Jetstar, a Qantas subsidiary established in 2003, which clinched the second spot. Known for its profitable operations and young fleet averaging 10 years, Jetstar has successfully built a low-cost long-haul model with 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in its Australian arm, enabling budget travel to destinations across Asia. Its robust safety record and solid financial performance have earned it top safety accolades again in 2025, after having been the safest low-cost carrier last year.
Ryanair secures the third position. As Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, Ryanair’s massive operation includes 610 aircraft across multiple subsidiaries. Despite its enormous scale, with over 3,600 daily flights from 240 airports serving 184 million passengers annually, Ryanair has maintained impressive safety standards, making it a reliable choice for budget travelers.
Other notable airlines on the list include easyJet (4th), which operates a modern Airbus A320 fleet and serves 157 destinations, and Frontier Airlines (5th), the safest US budget carrier with a young fleet averaging just 4.7 years. AirAsia (6th) from the Asia-Pacific region and Wizz Air (7th) from Hungary also rank high, with Wizz Air boasting a fuel-efficient fleet averaging 4.7 years and a strong focus on the larger A321neo.
Vietjet Air (8th) from Vietnam, a pioneer among private airlines in its region, has shown steady improvement in safety, while Southwest Airlines (9th) continues to evolve despite recent operational challenges, having rebounded strongly in 2024 with record revenues. Finally, Volaris (10th), a rapidly growing Mexican low-cost carrier celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, rounds out the top 10 with a young, Airbus-based fleet and an excellent safety record.
Notable changes in the rankings include the entry of British airline Jet2 at 14th, Japanese Zipair at 23rd, and airBaltic at 25th. Meanwhile, Spirit Airlines, typically a strong performer in safety metrics, was omitted due to its recent financial difficulties following its Chapter 11 filing in November 2024.
As the aviation landscape continues to evolve, these safety rankings provide passengers with valuable insights, ensuring that even on a budget, travelers can fly with confidence in 2025.
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