Finnair is currently recognized as one of the safest airlines in the world, but like almost any legacy carrier that has operated for over 100 years, it has a historical record of accidents. Its last fatal accident involving a passenger flight occurred in 1963, when a DC-3 crashed in Mariehamn, Åland, due to poor visibility and a faulty altimeter. Before that, in 1961, another DC-3 (Aero Flight 311) crashed near Vaasa; the investigation famously revealed that both pilots had been intoxicated. However, since the early 1960s, Finnair has maintained an impeccable safety record with zero fatal accidents in the "Jet Age." In 2026, it consistently ranks at the top of safety audits by JACDEC and AirlineRatings.com. The airline's modern fleet, rigorous training programs, and focus on Nordic operational precision have made it a global benchmark for aviation safety, with its only "modern" incidents being minor technical diversions or ground-handling issues that resulted in no injuries.