If you’re flying in 2025 and want the safest aircraft out there, here’s what to look for:
Other's include the Airbus A350, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777 and the Airbus A320neo family. While the Boeing 787 was involved in its first fatal crash this year, it still has one of the best long-term safety records in commercial aviation.
Yes, flying is still the safest way to travel, by a long shot. Here’s how it stacks up per passenger-mile:
You’re nearly 190 times more likely to die in a car than on a plane. And that’s not just luck - it’s the result of global aviation standards built around safety.
💡Flying isn’t just safe - it’s designed to be. From the ground up, air travel is built around layers of protection that cars and other transport just don’t have.
The Boeing 717 has never had a fatal crash. It’s powered by rear-mounted Rolls-Royce engines, which help with stability, and features a digital glass cockpit to reduce pilot workload. Despite being older, it’s still trusted by major carriers like Delta Air Lines and Hawaiian Airlines for its excellent performance and reliability on shorter routes.
If you’re flying within the US, especially to or from Hawaii, there’s a good chance you’ll be on one.
The A340 has clocked over 2.5 million flights without a single passenger fatality. Designed with four engines for extra redundancy, it’s ideal for long over-water flights. It shares technology with the A320 family, like fly-by-wire controls and advanced automation.
Though many airlines have retired it, it’s still flown by carriers like Lufthansa, Air France, and some long-haul charter operators. If you spot it on your travel plan, know you’re boarding one of the safest long-haul jets ever made.
The A380 is the world’s largest passenger plane and also one of the safest. With over 800,000 flights under its belt and no fatalities, it’s a standout in aviation safety. It features four engines, highly redundant systems and a structure built for resilience.
You’ll find the A380 in the fleets of Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Lufthansa. It’s often used on popular routes like London–Dubai or Sydney–Singapore.
The Embraer ERJ series (including the E170, E190, and ERJ145) is a workhorse of regional aviation. These jets have flown millions of hours without a single fatal passenger accident. They’re smaller than typical Airbus or Boeing aircraft, but no less reliable.
Airlines like American Eagle, KLM Cityhopper, Azul and SkyWest rely on them daily. You’ll often see them on shorter legs like New York–Boston or London–Amsterdam. Quietly dependable and one of the safest fleets flying.
The Boeing 747-8 is the latest version of the iconic jumbo jet. It features GEnx engines, a carbon composite-enhanced wing, and fly-by-wire controls for smoother handling. While earlier 747 variants had isolated incidents, the -8 model has no fatal accidents in passenger service.
You’ll mostly find the 747-8 operated by Lufthansa and Korean Air on long-haul routes. It’s less common than other widebodies, but it’s a solid pick for a safe and comfortable ride.
Every aircraft on this list has earned its place with spotless records and smart design. Whether you’re flying long-haul to Sydney or hopping across states, these planes offer some of the safest rides you can get in the sky.
When it comes to aircraft safety, who built the plane does matter — but it’s only part of the picture. Here’s what the data says about the manufacturers behind the world’s safest aircraft:
Embraer leads the pack with a fatal accident rate of just 0.01 per thousand years of service - the lowest among major manufacturers. Their focus on high-quality regional jets and strong safety oversight makes them a standout in the skies.
A recent 10-year study found no major safety gap between Airbus and Boeing.
Airbus’s A320 family continues to shine for reliability, while Boeing’s record has been impacted by the 737 Max and the 2025 Air India 787 crash. Still, both remain safe when aircraft are properly maintained and operated.
It’s the question nervous flyers always ask, and while there’s no guaranteed “safe” seat, the stats do point to a pattern.
Seats over the wings tend to sit near the aircraft’s strongest structure, and being close to an emergency exit (within 5 rows) can also boost your chances in an emergency.
Survival often comes down to the type of crash, impact angle, fire or smoke, and how quickly you can move. Buckling up, following crew instructions, and knowing where your nearest exits are matter more than picking row 22 or 33.
💡You can often choose your seat when booking with us - just look for the seat selection option at checkout. For more help, check out our guide on how to book seats.
Not sure if your flight is on a safe aircraft? Here’s how to check before you book:
💡Need help identifying the plane? Check out our guide: Which aircraft will I fly on? - it shows how to find your aircraft type before you fly.
Whether you're flying across the country or halfway round the world, knowing you're on a trusted aircraft makes all the difference. Every plane listed here has earned its place through years of reliable service, smart engineering, and global oversight.
At Alternative Airlines, we make it easy to search for flights on over 600 airlines, filter by your preferences, and even pay later if that works better for you.
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
The safest planes to fly on in 2025 are those with clean safety records, strong engineering and years of reliable service. Based on global data, here are the top picks:
These safest commercial planes are used by top airlines worldwide.
Planes are the safest way to travel because of strict rules, constant checks and smart engineering. Here’s why:
Per mile travelled, commercial flying has the lowest fatality rate of any major transport and is far safer than driving.
The safest commercial planes are those with flawless or near-flawless safety records over millions of flights. In 2025, that includes:
Newer models like the Airbus A350, Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner also rank highly for safety thanks to advanced systems and strong airline adoption, though the 787 is under review following its first fatal crash in 2025.
No plane flies without strict global oversight, but these models stand out for their long-term performance and trusted track records.
Several airlines are recognised for flying some of the world’s safest fleets:
They all operate modern aircraft, follow strict maintenance schedules and pass regular safety audits.
💡 Want to know more? See the full list of the world’s safest airlines.
There’s no seat that guarantees safety, but crash data points to a few patterns:
That said, survival often comes down to the type of crash, quick reactions and knowing your nearest exits - not just where you sit.
Small doesn’t mean risky. Some light aircraft are built with safety front and centre. Here are a few top-rated models:
These planes are trusted for private, business, and short regional routes worldwide.
Private planes can be safe, but they don’t follow the same strict rules as commercial airlines. Here’s what to know:
💡If safety’s your top concern, commercial flights are the safer bet.
Commercial planes are inspected regularly - far more often than most people realise. Daily checks happen before every flight, while more in-depth inspections are carried out at set intervals.
These range from A checks (light maintenance every few hundred flight hours) to D checks, which are full strip-down overhauls done every 6-10 years. Airlines must follow strict schedules set by aircraft manufacturers and approved by aviation regulators.
It’s all part of making sure your flight is as safe as possible, every time you fly.
Not always. Newer planes often have the latest safety tech, like advanced avionics and fuel-efficient engines, but that doesn’t mean older aircraft are unsafe.
Models like the Boeing 717 and Airbus A340 have spotless records thanks to solid design and consistent maintenance. What really matters is how well the plane is looked after and who’s flying it.
Airlines must follow strict rules no matter the plane’s age, so an older jet in good hands can be just as safe as something brand new.
Yes, most of the time, the aircraft type will be shown before you confirm your booking. At Alternative Airlines, we aim to display this clearly during the search process so you know what to expect.
Want to double-check or learn more about different aircraft? Head to our Which aircraft will I fly on? guide. It explains where to find the aircraft info and what it means for your journey.
