These 38 Airlines Have The Lowest Airline Safety Ratings

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When thinking about the range of qualities we look for in an airline, the ability to deliver us to our destination alive is at the top of the list (just slightly edging out leg room). Safety is primary when flying: we want to travel on airlines that are rigorous about safety inspections, use innovative navigation technology, and adhere to basic best practices, like making sure the plane is heading in the right direction and closing all doors before taking off.

Unfortunately, some airlines—as per the ratings listed on AirlineRatings.com—have some work to do. The aviation safety–focused website performs a comprehensive analysis of data from several international aviation and government sources and gives every airline they monitor a numerical rating from 1 to 7. (Airlines that receive a 7 are considered the safest; those that receive a 1 are the least safe.) The ratings are based on several factors, including whether or not the airline is FAA-endorsed, if it meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards, and whether it operates only Russian-built aircrafts (which, apparently, automatically earns an air carrier a demerit). 

So which airlines flunked this evaluation? Here's a list of all the carriers that received a 3 or lower, divided by rating and how likely we'd be to fly on them:

That's Okay, I'll Pass (Rating: 3)

• Afriqiyah
• Air Bagan
• AirAsia Thailand
• AirAsia Zest
• Avia Traffic Company
• Bangkok Air
• Camair-Co
• Cambodia Angkor Air
• Drukair Royal Bhutan
• FastJet
• Felix Airways
• Fly540
• Garuda Indonesia
• JetStar Pacific
• LAM
• Libyan Airlines
• Nauru Airlines
• Orient Thai Airlines
• Polynesian Airlines
• Scat
• Somon Air
• Tajik Air

Definitely Not (Rating: 2)

• Airlines PNG
• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Blue Wing
• Daallo Airlines
• Kam Air
• NOK Air

Not If You Paid Me (Rating: 1)

• Batik Air
• Citilink
• KalStar Aviation
• Lion Air
• Nepal Airlines
• Sriwijaya Air and Nam Air
• Tara Air
• TransNusa
• Wings Air
• Xpress Air

The World's 20 Safest Airlines

On a brighter note, AirlineRatings.com just released their annual announcement of the world's 20 safest airlines. At the top of the list for the third year in a row is Australian carrier Quantas, which has never had a fatality. Here's the full list, in alphabetical order: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Quantas, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia.

By Anya Hoffman, a contributing digital editor at Travel + Leisure. You can follow her on Twitter at @anya_hoffman.

Travelore Tips: A Reminder To Never Pack Your Valuables In Checked Baggage

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There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your don’t lose your valuables on your next flight, even when baggage handlers want to steal them.

Here’s a headline for you, from CNN: “Hidden Cameras Reveal Airport Workers Stealing from Luggage”

Well, that’s not good. Is there anything you can do to protect yourself? It’s actually a simple answer, but let’s get a bit more specific about the problem first. As reported by Scott Zamost, Drew Griffin, and Curt Devine:

“Inside a plane at Miami International Airport, baggage handlers are going on a shopping spree with passengers' bags. What they don't know is that they are being recorded on a hidden camera. The Miami-Dade Police Department set up the camera as part of an ongoing police investigation into luggage thefts by the very airport workers who are supposed to get bags safely onto planes.”

Go to the link above to watch a video of the baggage handlers doing their dirty work. Now, that was in Miami, but apparently JFK is the worst airport in the U.S. for pilfering:

“The problem has been so serious at JFK that in 2013, El Al Airlines set up a hidden camera in a baggage hold. The camera showed baggage handlers stealing items on flights bound for Israel, including a $5,000 Seiko watch, iPhones, an iPad, cameras, gold rings and cash.”

Cash? In a checked bag? A watch? Rings? You don’t even have to put those items in your carry-on; they can go in your pockets or you may simply wear them. We’ve been over this before, but we’re going to go over it again: Do not put anything valuable in your checked baggage, period—unless you’re willing to take the chance that it will be lost, damaged, or stolen, and you recognize that you will most likely not be reimbursed for the loss.

Now, let’s back up a bit: Really, no reimbursement? Well, it is possible to get reimbursed for some lost valuables, but it’s rare and usually an exception. There is even debate about whether it is legal for airlines to exclude all of the items they do from baggage liability, but do you want to go to court to find out whether you can get your airline to pay you for your lost watch or iPad? Wouldn’t it be better to carry them with you and not have to worry?

As an example of what airlines typically won’t cover, here is the applicable excerpt from Alaska Airlines Domestic Contract of Carriage. Why Alaska? Because I like the airline, but even its list is somewhat exhaustive.

The following items are judged to be unsuitable as contents of checked baggage, and [Alaska Airlines] assumes no liability for loss, theft, damage or delay in the delivery of:

A. Cash, currency

B. Negotiable papers

C. securities

D. business contracts, documents

E. jewelry, watches

F. cameras, videos and photographic equipment, camcorders, audio equipment, film, camera equipment, photographs.

G. Electronic equipment/devices, personal electronic equipment/devices, including components such as compact discs and video game cartridges.

H. computers and related components

I. binoculars, telescopes, optical devices including eyeglasses

J. silverware

K. precious metals, stones or materials

L. art objects, sculptures

M. historical artifacts

N. original manuscripts

O. irreplaceable books, publications, collectibles (such as baseball cards) P. antiques, heirlooms

Q. keys

R. sales samples

S. medications

T. furs, including coats, gloves, hats

U. game trophies, antlers, and pelts

Notice that medications are listed. Keep necessary medication with you at all times. Never mind its monetary value; what matters is its medicinal value, and if your bag goes missing, you won’t have access to your medicine anymore.

Also remember that the maximum liability with luggage is either $3,400 on domestic flights, or 1131 SDRs (special drawing rights) on most international flights, which is currently about $1,555. So, if you want to pack a suitcase full of designer clothing, even though airlines don’t exclude those items from liability, you will likely be reimbursed far less than the full value if your bag is lost, particularly on an international flight. If you travel with a lot of expensive clothes, consider whether you have insurance that will cover you if your bag goes missing.

Getting back to the initial question, What is the best way to protect yourself from malefactors who want to steal your stuff from your checked luggage? Don’t give them the opportunity:

• Put valuables in your carry-on.

• If your carry-on won’t fit under the seat in front of you, keep a lightweight extra bag inside of it that will. Then, if you’re forced to check your bag because everyone else has already stuffed the overhead bins, you can remove your valuables and place them in the extra bag.

• If you need to bring something valuable that won’t fit in your carry-on, contact the airline before your flight and ask whether you can declare the extra value and if it will cover loss or damage. If it won’t, it’s probably best to ship it instead, insured.

If you take these simple steps, you will most likely arrive at your destination with the jewelry, cash, iPad, medication, manuscript, sculpture, heirloom, and/or pelt you left with.

Contributed by Eric Jordan,  www.cntraveler.com

Lufthansa Group Further Refines Its Safety Structures

Group member airlines to adopt “rule of two” for aircraft cockpits;
Group Safety Pilot reporting directly to the Group CEO

In coordination with the German Federal Aviation Office (Luftfahrtbundesamt) other German airlines and the German aviation industry association (Bundesverband der deutschen Luftverkehrswirtschaft), the airlines of the Lufthansa Group are to adopt a new cockpit occupancy procedure as a precautionary measure. Under the new procedure, two authorized persons must be present in the cockpit at all times during a flight. 

The passenger airlines of the Lufthansa Group will adopt the new procedure as soon as possible, in due consultation with their national aviation authority.  

The Lufthansa Group is also expanding its safety structures. In addition to the safety pilots at each of its member airlines, the new position of Group Safety Pilot has been created until further notice. The new post will be assumed with immediate effect by Captain Werner Maas, who will hold it in parallel with his current function as Safety Pilot of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. Captain Maas will have overarching group-wide responsibility for examining and further refining all flight safety-relevant procedures in his new capacity, in which he reports directly to Group CEO Carsten Spohr.

If Considering Flying While Pregnant, Here Are Safety Tips You Should Consider Provided By Cheapflights.Com....

When is the best time to fly? According to the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, air travel is safest for pregnant women during the second trimester-weeks 18-24.  According to Colleen Lanin of TravelMamas.com " In the first trimester you may be too nauseated to enjoy your time away. In the third trimester you may be too uncomfortable and not feel up for doing much of anything"

Each airline has its own rules for flying while pregnant so be sure to check the airline's web sites or specifically inquire when researching your travels to ensure you get special attention. It is also worth upgrading to business class if possible since traditional "extra legroom' seats like those on exit isles are often restricted to those who are pregnant.

Other important tips to consider:

 *Travel with a companion whom has your emergency contact info including                
   your doctor's number programmed into their phone.

  *Carry documentation with your expected delivery date, doctor info, and
     blood type

.  *Stay hydrated since dehydration can be worse while pregnant. Therefore
     drink plenty  of caffeine-free drinks prior, during and after your flight.

    *Skin is more sensitive during pregnancy so wear ample sun screen,
      especially when traveling to the tropics.

For more information please visit www.cheapflights.com .