In today’s edition of eFlyer USA (subscribe here!), Global Traveler reports on the world’s top 10 safest airlines according to AirlineRatings.com. The airline safety review website offers fearful flyers and passengers around the globe a comprehensive list of the world’s safest airlines based on fatality records, government audits and audits from aviation’s governing bodies and organizations.

Qantas tops the list for the safest carriers of 2013 with a fatality-free flying record in the jet era, a time period from 1951 to the present. The Australian flag carrier, founded in 1920 as the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services, was the first international airline to operate around-the-world service in 1958. One of the airline’s biggest achievements in its 93-year history includes the operation of the world’s longest air route (from Perth to Colombo, Sri Lanka) during war time. The service, lasting approximately 28 hours non-stop, was operated by Catalina Flying Boats in radio silence to avoid the Japanese.

In addition to Qantas, the website’s list includes Air New Zealand, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, EVA Air, Royal Jordanian, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. No U.S.-based airlines earned a place in the top 10.

The website also lets flight-phobics know that 2013 was the safest year for flying since 1945, according to the Aviation Safety Network, with 269 deaths from 29 accidents — a figure below the 10-year average of 32 accidents and 719 fatalities.  

The lowest-ranked airlines for safety and in-flight amenities include Kam Air, Scat and Blue Wing Airlines.

Are you afraid of flying? Have you flown any of the top 10?

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator