Hawaiian Airlines Has Never Had a Fatal Crash

Of all the major airlines in the world, Hawaiian Airlines stands out for its remarkable achievement of zero fatal crashes or hull losses throughout the carrier‘s entire nine-decade history. Since its founding in 1929, Hawaiian has stayed committed to safety while expanding routes across the Pacific and transporting over 250 million passengers. The airline‘s sterling safety record is unparalleled among large global carriers with similar longevity.

The Origins of Hawaiian‘s Safety-First Culture

Hawaiian traces its roots back to 1929, when it began as Inter-Island Airways operating amphibious Sikorsky S-38 aircraft within the Hawaiian islands. The fledgling airline was soon acquired by aviation pioneer Stanley Kennedy, who instilled a culture focused on safety from the start. Under Kennedy‘s leadership as owner and president, the airline implemented rigorous pilot training programs, completely revamped maintenance procedures, and invested substantially in upgrading its fleet with more capable twin-engine airliners.

This early commitment to safety helped Hawaiian expand inter-island routes through the 1930s and 1940s without any major incidents. As larger planes entered the fleet after World War 2, the airline continued improving training and maintenance. The introduction of Douglas DC-6 aircraft enabled Hawaiian to launch its first transpacific services to the U.S. west coast in 1952.

Hawaiian‘s Safety Milestones Over Nine Decades

The Proof Is In the Numbers: Hawaiian‘s Safety Benchmarks vs. Industry

In 2019, Hawaiian Airlines demonstrated exemplary safety across key benchmarks analyzed in a report by aviation analytics firm Jacdec.^[1] Compared to global airline industry averages, Hawaiian performed better on:

• Fleet age – Average aircraft age of 10 vs. global average of 12 years
• Cockpit Experience – Average captain experience of 14 years vs. 12 year average
• Profitability – 5-year average operating margin of 8% vs. global average under 6%

The report also named Hawaiian as the safest airline in North America based on its accident history and operational metrics. While many carriers have grown rapidly or made mergers over the decades, Hawaiian has maintained steady and stable growth with safety always top priority.

[Hawaiian Airlines Tops Industry Safety Benchmarks on Multiple Metrics]Source: Jacdec Airlines Safety Report 2019

How Hawaiian Stacks Up Against Other Top Airlines by Safety

Though Hawaiian‘s record is unblemished, many leading global airlines demonstrate similarly outstanding safety performance over decades of service:

• Qantas – Australia‘s national carrier has not suffered a fatal jet crash since 1951. Its last hull loss was in 1999.^[2]

• Air New Zealand – No fatal crashes since 1979 and an excellent safety rating. Its last hull loss was in 2002.^[3]

• Singapore Airlines – Originally founded in 1947, no fatal events in the airline‘s history.^[4]

• Emirates – This rapidly grown Gulf carrier has maintained a perfect safety record since 1985.^[5]

[Top Airlines with No Recent Fatal Events]Sources: Airlines‘ Accident Histories

These airlines all share common attributes that underpin their stellar safety performances, including:

• Substantial investments in training and technology
• Strong, stable management leadership over time
• High-quality aircraft maintenance and engineering
• Data-driven safety management programs
• Strong national safety oversight

How Commercial Aviation Safety Has Dramatically Improved

Beyond individual airlines, data shows commercial air travel overall has gotten remarkably safer in recent decades. According to statistics from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the global jet hull loss rate declined over 90% from 1998 to 2017 – an astonishing improvement by any measure.^[6]

Several key factors have driven these massive safety gains:

• Aircraft Technology – New model jets leverage extensive flight data to optimize operations and reduce pilot workload. Engines and airframes are more reliable.

• Pilot Training – Sophisticated flight simulators provide immersive training on full range of emergency scenarios. Training hours and requirements have increased.

• Safety Management – Airlines have implemented structured programs to identify hazards before they lead to accidents. Data fuels continuous improvement.

• Air Traffic Control – Modernized ATC systems enable more efficient routing, aircraft separation assurance, and collision avoidance capabilities.

• Aviation Regulation – Mandatory flight data monitoring, maintenance programs, and pilot rest rules have been implemented based on data-driven risk analysis.

As these and other advances take hold across the industry, flying just keeps getting safer. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, U.S. airlines did not have a single passenger fatality from 2013 to 2017.^[7]

Tips to Keep Your Next Flight Relaxing and Enjoyable

For anxious travelers, it helps to keep the remarkable safety progress across commercial aviation in perspective. While healthy respect for the risks involved is prudent, excessive worrying over a plane crash can ruin your inflight experience.

Here are some tips to make your next flight more pleasant:

• Research your airline‘s safety record – Carriers like Hawaiian with sterling reputations deserve your trust.

• Understand the aircraft – Modern jets have incredible capabilities and redundant safety systems.

• Listen to the pre-flight briefing – Flight attendants will highlight safety features to be aware of.

• Distract yourself – Bring media, books, or games to make the flight time pass quickly.

• Avoid unnecessary alcohol – Excess intake can amplify anxiety. Drink in true moderation.

• Stay positive – Draw confidence from the amazing aviation safety improvements in recent times.

You can also request anxiety medications from your doctor if needed. But simply focusing your mind on something else is often the most effective remedy.

Hawaiian and Other Top Airlines Continue Delivering Safely

After over 90 years moving passengers across the Pacific without a single passenger fatality, Hawaiian Airlines has certainly earned its place among the industry‘s safety elite. Its sustained commitment to training, maintenance and prudent growth sets an example for peers to emulate.

While all flying contains risks, travelers can fly confidently knowing Hawaiian and other leading airlines have the experience, dedication and safety culture to deliver passengers to their destinations safely flight after flight.