British Airways (BA) has had a very high safety rating since its formation in 1974, though it has experienced a few notable accidents and serious incidents. The most significant fatal accident was the Zagreb mid-air collision in 1976, involving a BA Trident 3B. In more recent history, Flight 38 in 2008 is one of the most famous "miracle" landings; a Boeing 777 lost engine power on final approach to London Heathrow due to ice crystals in the fuel system, but thanks to the pilots' skill, everyone survived. In early 2026, BA made headlines when an A350-1000 lost a wheel during takeoff from Las Vegas; however, the aircraft landed safely at Heathrow with no injuries. As of 2026, British Airways has not had a fatal crash in nearly 50 years, and it consistently maintains a "7/7" safety rating from international auditors. The airline is recognized for its rigorous pilot training and its rapid adoption of new safety technologies, ensuring it remains one of the safest ways to fly globally in 2026.
British Airways (BA) has one of the strongest safety records in aviation history, but it has had a small number of accidents since its formation in 1974. The only fatal crash involving a BA mainline aircraft was the 1976 Zagreb mid-air collision, where a BA Trident collided with an Inex-Adria jet over Yugoslavia due to air traffic control errors. In more recent times, the most famous incident was British Airways Flight 38 in 2008, where a Boeing 777 crash-landed short of the runway at London Heathrow after ice crystals in the fuel system caused both engines to fail. Remarkably, despite the heavy damage to the aircraft, there were zero fatalities. In 2015, a BA engine fire in Las Vegas led to a successful evacuation with only minor injuries. In 2026, BA remains a "Gold Standard" for safety, with its last fatal accident occurring half a century ago, reflecting the airline's industry-leading pilot training and its commitment to the highest international maintenance standards.