Image courtesy of NBC News, edited by: Sarah M. ‘27
Is It Still Safe to Fly? Navigating Fear, Facts, and the Future of Air Travel.
By: Cynthia T. ‘27
It has only been three months into 2025, but there are already countless articles about plane crashes. Ever since the fatal crash in January between an American Airlines regional Jet and Army Helicopter, it may appear as if news outlets continuously report on plane crashes week after week. It has left many wondering: Is air travel still safe?
Beginning in January, there has been a string of crashes: The crash above the Potomac River, killing 67; the crash of a medical transport jet carrying a child patient, killing 7; the crash of a small commuter plane in Alaska, killing 10; a Delta Air Lines jet flipping over, 21 injured, and more. Consequently, data from Google Trends shows an increase in Google searches for terms like “Is it safe to fly” and “Why are planes crashing.” A poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs at the University of Chicago (AP-NORC) earlier this year found that less Americans believe air travel is somewhat or very safe compared to 2024: 64% vs 71% respectively. It also found a 12% increase in Americans who believe air travel is somewhat or very unsafe compared to 2024.
However, there have been fewer crashes in 2025 compared to 2024. Last year, there were 1,417 aviation crashes – 80 in January and 93 in February. This year, there were only 67 crashes in January and 78 in February. So why does it seem like there is an increase in aviation crashes this year? Media coverage. With an increase in media coverage highlighting these accidents, it feels like accidents are happening more frequently.
“These crashes have brought key issues to the attention of the public,” says Ryan Tseko, who worked as a flight deck officer and trainer for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One issue is the shortage of air traffic controllers. According to FAA records, the controller at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was doing the job of two people when the American Airlines plane crashed into the Black Hawk. Another issue is the shortage of pilots. Many pilots stepped away from the job during the pandemic, and the industry has struggled to replace them at the same pace that air travel demand has surged. As of 2023, the U.S. aviation industry is experiencing a shortage of approximately 8,000 pilots, representing about 11% of the total demand.
Despite the alarming headlines, air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. In 2022, passengers in cars and trucks were injured at a rate of 42 per 100 million miles traveled, whereas for air travel, the rate was significantly lower at 0.007 per 100 million miles. The aviation industry also operates under strict safety regulations, continuous technological advancements, and rigorous training programs to ensure passenger security. However, recent incidents serve as a reminder that ongoing improvements are necessary to maintain public confidence and prevent future tragedies.
So, is air travel safe? Statistically– yes. But numbers alone may not be enough to reassure a public increasingly worried about the headlines. The real challenge lies not in just maintaining safety, but in maintaining trust,, which means continuing to prioritize transparency, investment in personnel and infrastructure, and learning from every incident– no matter how rare.
Sources:
https://apnorc.org/projects/most-continue-to-view-air-travel-as-a-safe-mode-of-transportation/
https://www.the-sun.com/news/13595254/us-air-travel-flying-plane-safety-crashes-warning/
https://fortune.com/2022/09/13/airline-pilot-shortage-forecast-looks-dire/