<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.airlineratings.com%2Fnews%2F630%2Fwho-is-the-worlds-safest-airline-for-2016" target="_blank" target="_blank">AirlineRatings.com</a> has released its annual list of the world's safest airlines -- including a rundown of the 10 low-cost carriers it says are the safest. Among them is Thomas Cook Airlines, an offshoot of the venerable British travel agency. Click on through the gallery to find out the other nine safest budget carriers, in alphabetical order.
Thomas Cook —
AirlineRatings.com has released its annual list of the world's safest airlines -- including a rundown of the 10 low-cost carriers it says are the safest. Among them is Thomas Cook Airlines, an offshoot of the venerable British travel agency. Click on through the gallery to find out the other nine safest budget carriers, in alphabetical order.
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Ireland's national flag carrier took the bold step of repositioning itself as a low-cost airline after the financial crisis of 2008 left it struggling with heavy losses and facing drastic staff cuts.
Aer Lingus —
Ireland's national flag carrier took the bold step of repositioning itself as a low-cost airline after the financial crisis of 2008 left it struggling with heavy losses and facing drastic staff cuts.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/Getty Images
One of the oldest airlines on this list, Canada's WestJet was launched in 1996. Based in Calgary, it offers destinations, some via code share, across Canada, America, the Caribbean, Ireland and the UK.
WestJet —
One of the oldest airlines on this list, Canada's WestJet was launched in 1996. Based in Calgary, it offers destinations, some via code share, across Canada, America, the Caribbean, Ireland and the UK.
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Another well-established carrier, Flybe began life as Jersey European Airways in 1979 and has undergone several rebrandings before emerging as Flybe in 2002. Its impeccable safety record has been unblemished by unusual recent events including a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2015%2F06%2F08%2Ftravel%2Fflybe-bee-incident%2F">bee attack on a pilot</a> and an incident in which a<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2014%2F08%2F14%2Ftravel%2Fplane-false-arm%2F"> pilot's false arm fell off</a>.
Flybe —
Another well-established carrier, Flybe began life as Jersey European Airways in 1979 and has undergone several rebrandings before emerging as Flybe in 2002. Its impeccable safety record has been unblemished by unusual recent events including a bee attack on a pilot and an incident in which a pilot's false arm fell off.
PETER MUHLY/AFP/Getty Images
Founded in 2004, HKExpress transformed itself into a low-cost carrier in 2013 in an effort to reverse its troubled fortunes. AirlineRatings.com says all the budget carriers on its list have passed stringent International Air Transport Association operational safety audits, unlike many of their rivals.
HK Express —
Founded in 2004, HKExpress transformed itself into a low-cost carrier in 2013 in an effort to reverse its troubled fortunes. AirlineRatings.com says all the budget carriers on its list have passed stringent International Air Transport Association operational safety audits, unlike many of their rivals.
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Now in its 16th year, JetBlue originally sold itself as being a cut above other no-frills airlines, by claiming to offer better in-flight entertainment perks. It operates out of New York's JFK airport and has a fleet of more than 210 aircraft.
JetBlue —
Now in its 16th year, JetBlue originally sold itself as being a cut above other no-frills airlines, by claiming to offer better in-flight entertainment perks. It operates out of New York's JFK airport and has a fleet of more than 210 aircraft.
Matthew HINTON/AFP/Getty Images
A budget offshoot of Aussie carrier Qantas, Jetstar has hubs in most major Australian cities. Its 70-strong fleet connects 35 destinations. Beyond Australia, it has also served connections to New Zealand, Fiji and China.
Jetstar —
A budget offshoot of Aussie carrier Qantas, Jetstar has hubs in most major Australian cities. Its 70-strong fleet connects 35 destinations. Beyond Australia, it has also served connections to New Zealand, Fiji and China.
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Hanover, Germany-based airline TUIfly was formed in 2007 to serve the low-cost sector and package vacation operators. It offers connections across Germany, southern Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East.
TUIfly —
Hanover, Germany-based airline TUIfly was formed in 2007 to serve the low-cost sector and package vacation operators. It offers connections across Germany, southern Europe, northern Africa and the Middle East.
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Serving 24 destinations with a fleet of 58 aircraft, Virgin America is part-owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group. It was founded in 2007 and is headquartered out of California.
Virgin America —
Serving 24 destinations with a fleet of 58 aircraft, Virgin America is part-owned by British entrepreneur Richard Branson's Virgin Group. It was founded in 2007 and is headquartered out of California.
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Now Mexico's second largest airline, Volaris was founded in 2005. The carrier mostly serves destinations in Mexico and America, including flights to Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago.
Volaris —
Now Mexico's second largest airline, Volaris was founded in 2005. The carrier mostly serves destinations in Mexico and America, including flights to Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago.
Courtesy Airbus