The COVID-19 pandemic has put a premium on safety and convenience but the airline industry has been quick to adapt. The Safe Travel Barometer's Safe Travel Score for airlines is based on an independent audit of dozens of traveler health and safety measures in addition to traveler convenience initiatives, service excellence and overall traveler experience. Here are the top-rated North American airlines as of February 2021.

Edging out low-cost carriers Frontier and Spirit Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines rounds out the list of the safest airlines in North America with a score of 3.4 out of 5. Hawaiian scores an impressive 4 out of 5 for COVID-19 safety protocols and a respectable 3.1 out of 5 for traveler convenience but has plenty of room for improvement when it comes to service excellence, scoring just 1.8 out of 5. Hawaiian recently launched its Pre-Clear Program allowing eligible travelers to bypass mandatory airport screening in Hawaii.

Alaska Airlines ties Hawaiian Airlines for the tenth-safest in North America. While the carrier has implemented thermal screening, face mask requirements and much more, it's also introduced more touch-free options to limit contact between passengers and staff.

The lone Mexican carrier to crack the top 10 to begin 2021, Aeromexico is among the best airlines when it comes to traveler convenience (4 out of 5) but could benefit from bolstering its COVID-19 safety protocols, where it scores just a 3.6 out of 5. The airline recently filed for bankruptcy but has since charted a new course for success aided by its ongoing partnership with Delta Air Lines.

One of two Canadian carriers to reach the top, Montreal-based Air Transat is one of the continent's best airlines in terms of COVID-19 safety protocols and even offers its customers complimentary travel insurance for added protection and peace of mind.

Allegiant Air, which recently added dozens of new routes, scores 3.9 out of 5 for COVID-19 safety protocols and a solid 3.8 out of 5 for traveler convenience to narrowly edge out Air Transat and Aeromexico and tie for sixth-best in North America.

United Airlines ranks the lowest among the Big Four carriers but is still firmly in the top 10, scoring a 3.6 out of 5 on the Safe Travel Barometer overall on the strength of a 3.9 out of 5 rating for COVID-19 safety protocols and 4.3 out of 5 for traveler convenience. In addition to making travel safer, United has rolled out a new destination guide and online map search to make life easier for passengers in recent months.

American Airlines fares well for COVID-19 safety protocols (4 out of 5) but is also among the best airlines in the world when it comes to traveler convenience (4.7 out of 5) in the time of coronavirus. For example, American was the first to launch a domestic COVID-19 testing program last year and introducing a health passport for international travelers.

JetBlue is propelled into the top five by its stellar scores for COVID-19 safety protocols (4 out of 5) and traveler convenience (4.5 out of 5). The airline recently celebrated its 21st anniversary by adding new flights to Miami and Key West.

Canada's flag carrier is the country's top-rated airline when it comes to safety, service and convenience in the COVID-19 era. Air Canada earns a 3.4 out of 5 or better in all three of the aforementioned categories, including a stellar 4.4 out of 5 for traveler convenience.

Southwest Airlines is the highest-scoring low-cost carrier, earning an impressive 4 out of 5 on the Safe Travel Barometer. The budget-friendly airline rolled out the Southwest Promise last year, introducing comprehensive cleaning and safety protocols, including disinfection after every flight.

The last carrier to block middle seats to allow for physical distancing, Delta Air Lines continues its reign of dominance atop the Safe Travel Barometer. As of this month, Delta scores a 4.1 out of 5, trailing only Gulf carriers Qatar Airways and Emirates when it comes to the best in the world. Delta recently added new COVID-19 related features to its suite of digital tools to further help travelers navigate today's challenges.