How safe are budget airlines? (EasyJet, Ryanair, WizzAir & Eurowings compared)
Published 28.12.22 by

When it comes to budget air travel, many people wonder if budget airlines are safe to fly with. After all, lower prices often lead to the assumption that corners are being cut somewhere. However, the reality is that budget airlines are just as safe as any other airline, often even operating more modern fleets and adhering to strict safety regulations. In this post, we will take a closer look at three popular budget airlines - Ryanair, Eurowings, and Wizz Air - to see if they are safe to fly with. We will examine their fleets, safety ratings, and past incidents to help answer the question: are budget airlines safe?

Is Ryanair Safe to Fly With?

When it comes to budget airlines, Ryanair is often one of the first to come to mind. With its reputation for low fares and a no-frills approach to air travel, some may question the safety of flying with the Irish carrier. However, the short answer is that Ryanair is a safe airline to fly with.

One factor contributing to Ryanair's safety is its relatively modern fleet. The airline operates an all-Boeing 737 fleet, with an average age of 11.7 years. While this may seem older compared to some other airlines, it is important to note that modern jet aircraft can typically last at least 30 years with proper maintenance. Ryanair has also placed orders for additional B737MAX aircraft, which will further reduce the average age of its fleet.

In terms of safety ratings, Ryanair has received top marks from AirlineRatings.com, with a 7-star rating. This indicates that the airline is not blacklisted in the European Union or the United States, and that Ireland performed well in the latest ICAO Country Audit, which assesses a country's airline regulations from a safety perspective. Ryanair has also not had any fatal accidents in its 37-year history.

While Ryanair does not hold the optional IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification, this is not a requirement and many low-cost carriers in Europe do not have it. Ryanair has had a few minor accidents in the past, but all of the aircraft involved were able to be repaired. The airline's most significant incident occurred in 2008 when a flight experienced bird strikes and made an emergency landing, resulting in minor injuries and damage to the aircraft beyond repair. Ryanair has also faced controversy over fuel levels in the past, but has implemented measures to ensure safety in this regard.

Overall, Ryanair's modern fleet, strong safety ratings, and efforts to address past concerns make it a safe airline to fly with. If you are looking to find cheap flights with Ryanair, be sure to check out Find A Flight's Flight Finder tool for the best deals.

Is Eurowings Safe to Fly With?

As a low-cost airline, Eurowings may not immediately come to mind when thinking about safety. However, the airline is a safe option for air travel, with strict measures in place, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eurowings operates a fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 with its subsidiary Eurowings Discover operating a few A330 for long-haul routes. These are popular, efficient, and comfortable planes that are known for their safety record. The average age of Eurowings' fleet is 11.8 years, making it just slightly higher than Ryanairs 11.7 years.

Eurowings is fully certified by European authorities and is a subsidiary of the well known German carrier Lufthansa. The airline also has a 7-star rating on AirlineRatings.com, indicating good service and product offerings. Eurowings has not had any fatal accidents in the past, and has a strong focus on safety, with measures such as masks and social distancing in place for passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, Eurowings is a safe airline to fly with, offering modern aircraft and a focus on safety protocols. If you are looking for affordable flights with Eurowings, be sure to use Find A Flight's Flight Finder tool to find the best deals.

Is Wizz Air Safe to Fly With?

Wizz Air is a Hungarian-based airline that offers low-cost flights to destinations across Europe and beyond. With its reputation for budget fares, some may wonder about the safety of flying with the carrier. However, the short answer is that Wizz Air is a safe airline to fly with.

One factor contributing to Wizz Air's safety is its modern fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. The average age of the airline's planes is just 5.7 years, indicating that they are well-maintained and up-to-date. Wizz Air also has a strong order book, with over 170 A321neos and 70 A320neos expected to be delivered by 2026.

In terms of safety ratings, Wizz Air holds a 7-star rating on AirlineRatings.com, the highest possible rating. This indicates that the airline is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, meaning it has the necessary systems and processes in place to operate safely. Wizz Air is also not blacklisted in the European Union or the United States, and Hungary performed well in the ICAO Country Audit, which assesses a country's airline regulations from a safety perspective. Additionally, Wizz Air has not had any fatal accidents during its existence.

While Wizz Air did have one minor, however still noteworthy incident in 2013, where a flight had trouble locking its landing gear and had to divert to a different airport, the airline has not had any major accidents or incidents since then. Wizz Air places a strong emphasis on safety, with measures in place such as masks and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conclusion, Wizz Air is a safe airline to fly with, operating a modern fleet and adhering to high safety standards. If you are looking for affordable flights with Wizz Air, be sure to use Find A Flight's Flight Finder tool to find the best deals.

Is EasyJet safe to fly with?

When it comes to budget airlines, EasyJet is a well-known and trusted carrier. With its reputation for low fares and a focus on customer service, it is a popular choice for travelers looking for an affordable way to get from one place to another. But is EasyJet a safe airline to fly with? The short answer is yes, just like all other airlines presented here.

Just like with its rival airlines, one factor contributing to EasyJet's safety is its modern fleet. The airline operates a mix of Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft, with an average age of just 9.5 years. This is relatively young compared to the average ages of some other airlines' fleets, and ensures that EasyJet is using some of the most advanced and fuel-efficient aircraft in the industry.

EasyJet has received a 7-star rating from AirlineRatings.com. This indicates that the airline is IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit) certified, and has not been blacklisted by the European Union or the United States. EasyJet has also not had any fatal accidents in the past ten years.

While EasyJet has had a few minor incidents in the past, such as bird strikes or technical issues, the airline has a strong track record of safely operating flights. EasyJet has also implemented measures to ensure the safety of its passengers, such as requiring face masks on all flights and increasing cleaning and disinfection efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Overall, EasyJet's modern fleet, strong safety ratings, and commitment to passenger safety make it a safe airline to fly with. If you are looking to find cheap flights with EasyJet, be sure to check out Find A Flight's Flight Finder tool for the best deals.

Conclusion

It is clear that budget airlines are just as safe as any other airline. Ryanair, Eurowings, and Wizz Air all operate modern fleets, adhere to strict safety regulations, and have excellent safety records. While some budget airlines may not have certain certifications or ratings, this does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe. It is important to remember that all airlines must meet certain safety standards in order to operate, and budget airlines are no exception. So next time you are considering flying with a budget airline, rest assured that you can do so safely. Don't forget to use Find A Flight's Flight Finder tool to find the best deals on flights with these and other budget airlines.