Europe's Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre calculates safety indices based on major incidents in the last 30 years and the number of years in operation. Finnair was the world's safest airline in 2012 with a safety index of 0.005. The airline has not had a hull loss in 30 years.

Air New Zealand came in second with an index of 0.007. It has also had a clean 30-year record.

Cathay Pacific had an index of 0.007 and clean 30-year record, but came in behind Air New Zealand because it has been in operation six years less.

Dubai's Emirates had an index of 0.008 and 27 years without incident.

Etihad Airways also had an index of 0.008, and no major incident since it commenced operations in 2003.

Hello Kitty-themed EVA Air of Taiwan had an index of 0.009 and 21 years without incident.

TAP Portugal had an index of 0.009 and 30 years without incident.

Hainan Airlines of China had an index of 0.01 and 19 years without a major incident.

Richard Branson's Virgin Australia, which was launched in 2000, had an index of 0.01 and no incident since inception.

British Airways had an index of 0.011 and only four years since flight 38 from Beijing crash landed just short of the runway at London Heathrow in 2008.