With air travel recovery still in progress in 2026, security has emerged at the top of the priority list of flyers, particularly those seeking cheap fares
without compromising their safety. Recent rankings from AirlineRatings.com highlight a remarkable evolution: low-cost carriers now match many full-service airlines in rigorous safety performance. And the main credit goes to the introduction of younger fleets, strong incident reporting, and commitment to international safety standards. Whether you are going away on a weekend trip or going on a protracted holiday, here is your list of the 10 safest low-cost airlines in 2026-
The 10 Safest Low-Cost Airlines in 2026
1. HK Express—Once again topped the 2026 safety ranking due to its low incident rate and carefully managed onboard safety processes.
2. Jetstar Airways—A trusted Asia-Pacific option that has good working performance and a safety audit.
3. Scoot—Singapore's low-cost airline takes third place in terms of good safety measures and standard of compliance.
4. flydubai—FlyDubai is a Dubai-based low-cost airline with strong training programs and incident reporting.
5. EasyJet Group—The popular budget airline of Europe is yet again striking a balance between cost-efficiency and stringent safety control.
6. Southwest Airlines—One of the safest low-cost carriers in the United States that has decades of positive operation.
7. airBaltic—a Baltic region carrier that is on the way to the top positions in terms of safety due to the young fleet and stable performance.
8. VietJet Air—This fast-emerging low-cost airline in Vietnam demonstrates progressive safety levels with the expansion of the network.
9. Wizz Air Group—The low-cost airline in Central Europe comes with a good reputation for transparent safety audits and modern planes.
10. AirAsia Group: AirAsia Group is number 10 on the safety culture list and has an extensive global presence as the leading low-cost airline in Asia.
Why These Airlines Stand Out
The 2026 safety list represents decades of industry development. All of the ranked carriers are assessed based on fleet age, history of incidents, rigor of the pilot training, and adherence to international standards—i.e., travelers can be assured of flying with any of the top 10 carriers.Remarkably, there are very close differences in scores, which indicate that safety has become a norm of the leading low-cost airlines and is no longer a competitive edge of a few.
