Vietnamese low cost carrier Vietjet has joined an elite cohort of global airlines in 2026, earning recognition as one of the world’s safest airlines and cementing its place among leaders such as Scoot, Flydubai, EasyJet, AirBaltic and HK Express. The accolade, awarded by independent safety and product rating agency AirlineRatings.com, reflects a maturing low cost sector in which robust safety management systems, young fleets and comprehensive crew training are now seen as essential, not optional extras.
Vietjet’s Rise Into the Global Safety Spotlight
For Vietjet, inclusion in the 2026 list of the world’s safest low cost airlines marks both continuity and progression. The airline has held a maximum 7 out of 7 safety score from AirlineRatings.com since 2018, but this year’s ranking underscores how that performance now stands out in a far more competitive global field. AirlineRatings assessed more than 300 carriers worldwide, ranking the top 25 low cost airlines where Vietjet appears alongside prominent names including HK Express, Scoot, Flydubai, EasyJet and AirBaltic.
Vietjet’s 2026 recognition is backed by a strong operational record. The airline operates with no fatal accidents, adheres to rigorous oversight from Vietnamese and international regulators, and complies with IOSA, the IATA Operational Safety Audit that is considered a benchmark for global best practice. Its continued presence in the top tier of safety rankings helps dispel lingering misconceptions that low cost automatically means fewer safety protections.
The distinction also comes at a time when Vietjet is expanding aggressively. The carrier has been scaling its network across Asia Pacific, ramping up services to markets such as Australia and deepening its presence on popular intra Asian routes. Being listed among the world’s safest low cost airlines provides a powerful reassurance to travelers who may be considering Vietjet for the first time, particularly on longer medium haul sectors where passengers pay closer attention to safety credentials.
Inside the AirlineRatings.com 2026 Low Cost Safety League Table
The 2026 AirlineRatings.com safety ranking for low cost carriers places Hong Kong based HK Express at the top, followed by Jetstar Airways and Scoot, with Flydubai, EasyJet, Southwest, AirBaltic and Vietjet also occupying top positions on the list. The ranking is not simply a popularity contest. It is based on a detailed assessment of factors that include incident history, audit results, fleet age, operational innovation and the effectiveness of safety management systems.
AirlineRatings’ methodology weighs both hard data and expert assessments. Analysts examine accident and serious incident records over a multi year period while taking into account the level of regulatory reporting in different jurisdictions. They also factor in whether the airline is subject to robust oversight from respected national aviation authorities, whether it passes key international audits and how transparent it is about safety processes.
For low cost airlines, which often operate high frequency, point to point networks with fast aircraft turnarounds, strong safety systems are critical. The top 25 safest low cost airlines for 2026 collectively demonstrate that budget carriers can balance cost discipline with rigorous operational control. Vietjet’s appearance among this group reflects the convergence of its own internal safety culture with evolving global standards that no longer tolerate trade offs between affordability and safety.
What Sets Vietjet Apart in a Crowded Low Cost Market
Vietjet’s ascent into the top ranks of global safety has been underpinned by its fleet strategy and disciplined operations. The airline operates a young, largely Airbus based fleet, focused on fuel efficient narrow body models that are widely used by leading carriers worldwide. A younger fleet translates into fewer technical issues, better reliability and the opportunity to embed the latest avionics and safety enhancements directly from manufacturers.
Equally important is the airline’s investment in training and safety culture. Vietjet has built structured programs for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and ground staff that go beyond regulatory minimums. This includes recurrent simulator training, crew resource management modules that emphasize communication and decision making, and standard operating procedures designed to minimize human error. Safety reporting systems encourage employees at every level to flag potential issues without fear of blame, feeding into a continuous improvement cycle.
The carrier’s safety performance must also be seen in the context of its rapid growth. In the years leading up to 2026, Vietjet expanded to dozens of international destinations while maintaining a strong on time performance record and avoiding serious operational lapses. Managing growth at this pace while sustaining a spotless fatal accident record is a complex undertaking. Vietjet’s inclusion among the world’s safest low cost airlines suggests that its leadership has prioritized safety as a non negotiable foundation for expansion, rather than treating it as a cost center.
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder With Scoot, Flydubai, EasyJet and AirBaltic
For travelers, one of the most striking aspects of the 2026 safety rankings is the company Vietjet now keeps. HK Express, Scoot, Flydubai, EasyJet and AirBaltic all have strong reputations in their home markets and internationally, combining competitive fares with increasingly sophisticated operations. Vietjet’s presence alongside these carriers signals that the Vietnamese airline is now seen as a peer among some of the most respected names in the low cost segment.
Each of these airlines operates in a different regulatory, geographic and competitive environment, yet they share common traits. They tend to fly young, standardized fleets, making crew training and maintenance more efficient and consistent. They rely heavily on data driven safety management systems that track operational metrics in real time, allowing them to spot trends and intervene early. And they treat safety as an integral part of brand value, recognizing that for many passengers, especially on international routes, trust is as important as price.
Vietjet’s inclusion alongside Scoot and Flydubai is particularly noteworthy because all three carriers serve fast growing travel corridors in Asia and the Middle East. These regions have seen surging demand from both leisure and business travelers, with low cost airlines capturing a large share of that growth. Being counted among the safest carriers in such dynamic markets indicates that Vietjet is not merely riding the wave of rising demand but is building infrastructure that can support sustainable, long term expansion.
Safety as a Catalyst for Vietnam’s Tourism and Connectivity
Vietjet’s safety recognition has implications that extend well beyond the airline itself. Vietnam has been positioning itself as one of Asia’s most attractive destinations, with a mix of coastal resorts, heritage cities, highlands and emerging secondary destinations drawing travelers from across the globe. A national low cost champion that is recognized as one of the world’s safest carriers adds a significant layer of confidence for visitors planning multi city itineraries within the country or combining Vietnam with neighboring destinations.
For inbound travelers from Australia, Europe, North Asia and beyond, safety rankings often influence decisions at the point where they commit to tickets. When an airline like Vietjet carries a top tier safety rating from a respected international body, it reduces the perceived risk of trying a brand that may be less familiar than legacy flag carriers. That, in turn, supports Vietnam’s wider tourism ecosystem, from hotels and tour operators to regional airports hoping to attract more international services.
Domestic connectivity also benefits. Vietjet plays a crucial role in linking Vietnam’s major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang with fast developing tourism hubs including Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Quy Nhon. As local and regional travelers become more discerning, recognition as one of the world’s safest low cost airlines helps Vietjet differentiate itself in a competitive home market and reinforces the narrative that flying within Vietnam is both convenient and secure.
How Passengers Experience Safety in Practice
While awards and rankings are important, travelers ultimately experience safety through the small, routine details of each journey. On Vietjet flights, these details begin with visible adherence to checklists in the cockpit and cabin, clear safety briefings delivered by crew, and consistent enforcement of rules around seat belts, baggage storage and the use of electronic devices. Thorough boarding and disembarkation procedures, along with careful control of cabin environments, all contribute to lower risk.
Less visible to passengers, but equally critical, are the systems running in the background. These include maintenance routines that strictly follow manufacturer guidance, use of predictive analytics to anticipate component wear, and regular audits that test everything from emergency equipment functionality to response times. Vietjet’s 7 out of 7 safety rating reflects its performance across these hidden layers as much as what travelers see in the cabin.
In the post pandemic era, safety has also expanded to encompass health and hygiene. While the most acute phase of the crisis has passed, passengers remain sensitive to cleanliness, air filtration and crowd management at airports. Carriers recognized for operational discipline often score well in these areas too. For Vietjet, maintaining high standards in both technical safety and passenger wellbeing reinforces the perception that the airline manages risk comprehensively, not just in the air but across the entire travel experience.
The Bigger Picture: Low Cost Carriers at the Forefront of Aviation Safety
Vietjet’s recognition in 2026 is part of a broader story about the evolution of low cost carriers. When budget airlines first emerged in force, especially in emerging markets, skepticism was widespread. Some travelers equated low fares with stripped back safety measures. Over time, however, regulators, manufacturers and airlines themselves have tightened standards, and leading low cost carriers now demonstrate safety records that match or, in some cases, surpass traditional full service airlines.
The current AirlineRatings.com league table illustrates how narrow the margins have become between the top carriers. HK Express, Jetstar Australia, Scoot, Flydubai, EasyJet, AirBaltic and Vietjet all operate under intense public and regulatory scrutiny. Many are subsidiaries or partners of major airline groups that apply unified safety policies across both their premium and budget brands. As these carriers invest in digital tools for flight operations, predictive maintenance and crew training, they are often among the earliest adopters of new safety technologies.
For travelers, the message is clear. Choosing a low cost airline no longer implies a compromise on safety, provided that airline has been independently vetted and ranked at the top tier. Vietjet’s appearance alongside household names from Europe, the Middle East and Asia sends a signal that the Vietnamese carrier belongs in the same conversation as the global leaders shaping the future of affordable, safe air travel.
What this Means for Travelers Considering Vietjet in 2026
As the 2026 travel season gathers pace, Vietjet’s status as one of the world’s safest low cost airlines offers a timely reference point for travelers planning trips to and within Asia. For first time visitors to Vietnam, the airline now comes with a clear external endorsement that can help override apprehensions about flying with a newer brand in a foreign market. For repeat visitors and local passengers, the ranking validates experiences that may already have felt reliable and reassuring.
From a practical perspective, travelers booking Vietjet in 2026 can expect modern aircraft, safety processes aligned with international standards and a growing route network that connects key cities and leisure destinations. The combination of competitive fares and top tier safety credentials makes the airline an attractive option for multi stop itineraries that might have previously defaulted to more expensive full service carriers.
For the industry, Vietjet’s recognition underscores how far Vietnam’s aviation sector has come in a relatively short time. A homegrown low cost airline is now firmly embedded in the global safety rankings, beside some of the most scrutinized carriers in the world. As Vietjet continues to grow and as Vietnam deepens its role in regional and global tourism, that status is likely to remain a cornerstone of the country’s appeal to safety conscious travelers in 2026 and beyond.