Is it safe to take Ryanair? Where does Ryanair rank in safety? Does Ryanair have zero crashes? Those questions, among others, arose after the July 10, 2026, incident, where a 61-year-old passenger was partially sucked out of a Ryanair flight window.
The incident made international news, prompting high-level international aviation investigations. It also prompted many travelers to question Ryanair fleets' safety. If you are worried whether it is safe to fly with Ryanair, here is what Neil Sorahan, Ryanair's chief financial officer, says. Shortly after the July 10 incident, Sorahan, in a statement, said travelers do not need to worry about the safety of Ryanair’s fleet. But do not take his word for it.
Here is the record.
Does Ryanair Have Zero Crashes?
How many plane accidents has Ryanair had? As of July 2026, Ryanair has had zero fatal plane crashes, which is impressive for such a large airline. Also, the airline has had zero passenger fatalities since its founding in 1985, as of the time of this article. That said, as is the case with other airlines, Ryanair's aircraft do experience non-fatal emergencies.
These include medical diversions, severe turbulence, or mechanical issues. Ryanair also has a non-fatal plane crash on record. It is the November 10, 2008, incident. On that day, Ryanair Flight 4102 suffered multiple bird strikes while landing in Rome. The plane landed safely but sustained a massive amount of damage.
According to the record, there were 172 people onboard. Of those, two crew members and eight passengers sustained minor injuries. The 8-month-old Boeing 737-800 jet used for the flight had been written off. When an aircraft is written off, it means it is a complete loss. Fixing the damage costs more than the aircraft is worth. Or, the damage cannot be fixed safely. The November 10, 2008, accident caused substantial damage to Ryanair Flight 4102, which led to it being written off. And, it was a miracle for all the 172 people onboard to have survived with only minor injuries.
Where Does Ryanair Rank in Safety?
Thanks to its fatality-free history and fleet consistency, Ryanair has a perfect safety record. It consistently appears on the list of safe low-cost airlines worldwide. Actually, Ryanair is deemed the third safest low-cost airline in the world! In the year leading to March 2026, Ryanair safely carried 208 million passengers, up 5% on the 197.2 million passengers carried in 2024. On July 29, 2026, the company announced on its corporate website that it has carried over 7 million passengers through Belfast International Airport alone since it began operations to and from the airport a decade ago.
Safety and security remain Ryanair's No. 1 priority, and the airline's fatality-free history backs this up. Currently, the company has what it calls the "2025 – 2029 Safety Strategy." Per the airline's website, this strategy, which builds on the significant achievements of previous strategies and establishes safety goals for the future, will include significant investment in its people, infrastructure, technology, and training. Also, the safety strategy will include "an unwavering commitment to a positive safety and security culture," the company says.
To this end, the company says it is working with a team of over 27,000 dedicated aviation safety professionals. "We look forward to working with our Team of 27,000+ dedicated aviation safety professionals," the airline says on its website, adding: "to achieve the goals we have set ourselves in this 2025 – 2029 Safety Strategy." What's more, Ryanair says it has identified five focus areas and fourteen strategic safety goals, which you can download on the company's website.
So... Is it safe to fly with Ryanair?
Everything considered, yes, it is totally safe to fly with Ryanair. It follows strict European Union aviation regulations. The airline flies a standardized fleet primarily consisting of Boeing 737 aircraft, which remains statistically safe for commercial travel. On its website, the company says it is investing $22 billion in 210 new Boeing 737-8200 ‘Gamechanger ’ aircraft. Per the company, this means 4% more guests, 16% less fuel burn, and 40% less noise emissions.
Further, the company says it will receive a further 300 new Boeing 737-MAX 10 aircraft by 2034. This aircraft not only carries 20% more guests, but burns 20% less fuel and, according to the airline, is 50% quieter than its Boeing 737-NG Fleet.
