In 2026, Qantas consistently retains the title of the world's safest airline, a reputation it has held for decades in the "jet era." Qantas is famously known for having never had a fatal jet hull loss in its history, a feat it has maintained through rigorous pilot training, a young and meticulously maintained fleet, and a corporate culture that prioritizes safety over cost-cutting. Other airlines that frequently top the safety charts alongside Qantas include Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines. These carriers are evaluated by agencies like AirlineRatings.com based on factors such as incident records, fleet age, and audits from aviation governing bodies like ICAO and IATA. It is important to note that modern commercial aviation is the safest form of travel in history across nearly all major "legacy" carriers. However, Qantas's specific focus on the extreme technical challenges of ultra-long-haul flight (like its "Project Sunrise" routes) has made it the global gold standard for safety engineering and operational excellence in the modern era.