Vale Geoffrey Thomas 1951 – 2026

The Australian Aviation Hall of Fame acknowledges with profound sadness, the passing of one of Australia’s most respected aviation journalists, Geoffrey Thomas.

Geoff has been described as a “titan of aviation journalism.” He lived and breathed aviation, and possessed an encyclopaedic knowledge of airline operations, aviation safety and economics. In an era when the media produces “aviation experts” to comment on contemporary aviation stories, the most trusted voice was always that of Geoffrey Thomas, internationally respected for his knowledge, insight and unwavering professionalism.

Geoff’s career spanned for more than 4 decades covering aviation stories for print media, radio, and television. He co-authored more than a dozen books on aviation, several of which he collaborated with his wife Christine Forbes Smith.

His coverage of the Malaysia Airlines MH370 disappearance and of the subsequent search

conducted by Australia was factual, balanced, and unbiased. During this, one of the world’s greatest aviation tragedies, Geoff worked tirelessly to keep the story alive and provide closure for the families of the 239 souls on board, developing relationships with those responsible for the search at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), those who had been directly impacted by the loss of their loved ones and the Malaysian-based MH370 Action Group.

In recent years, he founded Airlineratings.com, an airline safety and performance ranking website which fundamentally altered how the aviation consumer understands airline operations, economics and safety.

In addition to a long list of professional credits, he was a wonderful human – he was warm, kind, and respectful of all of those who engaged with him.

The Australian Aviation Hall of Fame expresses our deepest condolences to Christine and to Geoff’s family.

Tail winds and blue skies Geoff….