Qantas has been named the world's safest airline for the fourth year running due to its fatality-free record.

It does not numerically rank its top 20 safest airlines but selects one overall standout airline.

Making up the top 20 in alphabetical order are; Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Delta Air Lines, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

Responding to public interest, AirlineRatings.com also identified its top ten safest low-cost airlines.

These are (in alphabetical order): Aer Lingus, Flybe, HK Express, Jetblue, Jetstar Australia, Jetstar Asia, Thomas Cook, Virgin America, Vueling and Westjet.

AirlineRatings.com takes into account a range of factors when compiling its list, including audits from aviation's governing bodies and lead associations;government audits; airline's crash and serious incident record; profitability and fleet age.

"Our top 20 safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of more advanced aircraft like the A350, 787 and 777X," said AirlineRatings.com editor Geoffrey Thomas, "While these airlines are always leaders in safety there was no question that Qantas still remains the leader in safety enhancements and operational excellence," Thomas said.

"Over its 96-year history Qantas has amassed an amazing record of firsts in safety and operations and is accepted as the world's most experienced airline.

"Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years."