America's Safest Airlines With The Least Amount Of Incidents

With so many accidents and close calls in the headlines, passengers may be concerned about their favorite airline's safety record, especially if they are nervous flyers. While there are lots of tips to overcome your fear of flying, we're exploring the five safest U.S. airlines, according to the AirlineRatings 2025 report, to offer some additional peace of mind.

Flying is considered the safest way to travel, but some airlines have better track records than others. For example, if solely focusing on total number of crashes in their histories, Air France and American Airlines rank among the most dangerous airlines. However, American Airlines still made the list of the safest U.S. airlines, considering its more recent incident track record.

Five U.S. airlines were ranked among the top 25 of the safest carriers in the world, taking into account a number of factors, including the age of the fleet, safety training and policies, fleet size, and the number of safety incidents in company history. The list was also split separately between major and budget airlines, so we're only focusing here on the full-service carriers.

While the highest-ranked airlines on the AirlineRatings report are international carriers, Alaska Airlines ranked 9th overall on the list of the world's safest airlines, making it number one among U.S. carriers. Not only does Alaska Airlines have a young fleet, but it also invests in rigorous staff training and upholds strict operational standards.

Although Alaska Airlines was at the center of a headline-grabbing incident in 2024 when a door plug detached mid-flight, the fault was due to a manufacturer's defect rather than any action by the carrier. The company also rolled out widespread fleet inspections and enhanced safety measures to help prevent any other potential issues.

Aside from being known for its safety record, Alaska Airlines is also one of the most eco-friendly airlines in America. The company also acquired Hawaiian Airlines in 2024, which is next up on the list.

Hawaiian Airlines ranks high in 12th place, which comes as no surprise since it's the oldest U.S. airline to have never had a fatal plane crash. The airline was founded in 1929, originally under the name Inter-Island Airways. While it's had some safety incidents and even accidents over the years, thankfully, no one has died. Also, like Alaska Airlines, it has a younger-than-average fleet.

However, keep in mind that Hawaiian Airlines is a smaller carrier than most of the others on this list. Hawaiian operates about 260 flights daily. Compare that to United Airlines, which flies more than 4,500 a day across five continents. With a much smaller fleet, the chances for things to go awry dwindle in comparison to legacy carriers.

The most recent incidents on Hawaiian Airlines include some technical and operational incidents, as well as a few situations of turbulence injuring passengers. Turbulence is common on flights, but if you are ever worried about it, you can always check the turbulence forecast before a flight.

American Airlines ranked 13th on the list by AirlineRatings. The carrier has a solid reputation for safety — and while it has recorded more than 10 crashes with fatalities on its record since 1970, two of those were hijackings in the 2001 World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. The company has been recognized for its comprehensive safety policies, including thorough audits and staff training programs.

As one of the largest carriers globally, American Airlines operates a fleet of over 900 aircraft. The airline has experienced several incidents in its history, including the recent midair collision with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., in January 2025, which resulted in 67 fatalities. Details about this accident are still emerging, but safety experts have said the pilots of the plane didn't do anything out of the ordinary. So far, the investigation has found that a safety system in the helicopter was turned off without reason, which may have contributed to the incident.

Delta Air Lines operates a vast network with a massive fleet of more than 1,200 aircraft, ranking 21st globally on the AirlineRatings 2025 list of safest airlines. One of the most common questions about Delta is about its safety record. Its overall safety is pretty solid, with Delta's last fatal accident occurring in 2006, when a Delta Connection aircraft overran the runway, resulting in 49 deaths.

In 2023, Delta was involved in two safety incidents — one in which the plane's landing gear malfunctioned and another when a hailstorm led to an emergency landing. However, there were no injuries in either of these events.

Delta's proactive approach to safety includes following rigorous maintenance procedures and continuous investment in employee training programs. For passengers looking for a large-scale airline with a strong safety record, Delta is a top choice. On your next trip, don't forget to ask for the unique collectible Delta Air Lines offers on request: cool, holographic trading cards.

United Airlines, another one of the world's biggest carriers, rounds out the list at the 23rd spot globally. According to AirlineRatings, United holds a 7/7 safety rating, passing all three categories – incidents, audits, and fatality-free — with flying colors.

In 2024, United Airlines did experience several safety incidents, including rolling off the runway into the grass, bubble wrap in the engine, an external panel dropping mid-air, and losing a tire. In response, CEO Scott Kirby announced a comprehensive review of these events to update safety training and procedures for the staff — a move to help minimize any potential future issues.

United has also shown off its dedication to safety for staff members in its Corporate Responsibility Report, revealing it had reduced the record of severe workplace injuries by 7.2% in 2023, with plans to try and reduce these incidents even further through more audits and training initiatives. While no airline has a completely spotless record, United Airlines' handling of safety concerns and its investment in safety measures explain its 2025 ranking as a safe and reliable choice for travelers.