The world's safest airlines revealed

The safest airlines in the world have been revealed for 2016. Top of the list for the third year running is Australia's Qantas, which has a "fatality free record in the jet era".

Virgin Atlantic is the only UK airline to make it into the top 20, published by AirlineRatings.com.

A separate list of the top 10 safest low cost airlines also featured British carriers Flybe and Thomas Cook.

AirlineRatings.com does not numerically rank its safest airlines as they are so close in operational safety but selects one overall standout airline.

The website's rating system takes into account a variety of factors related to audits from aviation's governing bodies and lead associations as well as government audits and the airline's crash record.

The team also examined each airline's operational history, incident records and operational excellence to arrive at its top 20 safest airlines.

According to AirlineRatings.com editor, Geoffrey Thomas, "our top safest airlines are always at the forefront of safety innovation, operational excellence and the launching of new more advanced aircraft."

"These airlines are always at the forefront for excellence in the safety space.

"However there is no question amongst the editors that Qantas remains a standout in safety enhancements and best practice."

Over its 95-year history Qantas has amassed an extraordinary record of firsts in safety and operations and is now accepted as the world's most experienced airline.

"It is extraordinary that Qantas has been the lead airline in virtually every major operational safety advancement over the past 60 years," Thomas added.

Of the 407 airlines surveyed, 148 have the top seven-star safety ranking, but almost 50 have just three stars or less.

There are 10 airlines with only one star and these airlines are from Indonesia, Nepal and Surinam.

The top 20 in alphabetical order are: Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, All Nippon Airways, American Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Finnair, Hawaiian Airlines, Japan Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airline System, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia.

The top 10 low cost airlines in alphabetical order: Aer Lingus, Flybe, HK Express, Jetblue, Jetstar Australia, Thomas Cook, TUI Fly, Virgin America, Volaris and Westjet.