By: Nick Callos
Does flying on a plane make you nervous? Are you asking yourself: Are airplanes safe? Worry not – this article has statistics and research to show flying remains the safest way to travel.
With that said, fear and anxiety around flying have risen recently. It’s natural and understandable.
The January 2025 collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and a Blackhawk helicopter in Washington DC was shocking and tragic. 67 people died, making it the deadliest commercial airline crash in the USA in decades. The loss is devastating, and we send our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims.
As you know, Frayed Passport covers the travel lifestyle — everything from digital nomad destinations to personal finance tips. We fly often, as do our readers. If you’re reading this, you probably have trips planned soon.
In this article, we’ll present 15 stats on airplane safety so you can answer a definite YES to the question: Are airplanes safe? We hope the information helps calm your nerves and gets you excited for your next adventure, whether that be to Asia or Europe.
Are airplanes safe? Yes, they’re exceptionally safe. These stats prove it.
Below are 15 airplane safety stats to help you breathe a sigh of relief.
1. From 2018-2022, the risk of a fatality from commercial plane travel was 1 per 13.7 million passengers
This is an improvement from the fatality rate of 1 per 7.9 million passengers!
2. On average, a person would have to fly every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal airplane accident
This stat should help push away any aerophobia you have.
3. The airline industry has improved overall safety performance by 61% in the last decade
Source: International Air Transport Association
So, are airplanes safe? Yes, and they’re getting safer. If the headlines still cause you concern, just remember that accidents and issues lead to improved safety protocols and measures. Airplanes should be even safer in the 2020s and beyond.
4. Car travel is far, far more dangerous than air travel. In 2022, air travel was 190 times SAFER than motor vehicle travel
The fatality rate of air travel was .003 deaths per 100 million miles in 2022, while the fatality rate of cars and trucks was 0.57 per 100 million miles.
5. Train travel is far more dangerous than air travel. The fatality rate of long-haul train service is 0.43 per billion miles, versus just 0.07 per billion miles for planes
- Note these stats here EXCLUDE acts of terrorism (which is why it differs from stat number 4).
This makes airplanes more than 6 times safer than trains. So, are airplanes safe? Yes, they’re much safer than driving or taking a train to your destination.
6. Your chances of getting killed by a lightning strike are FAR higher than dying in a plane crash
You have a 1 in 136,011 chance of getting killed by lightning, versus 1 in 13.7 million dying in a plane crash.
7. The chances of surviving a plane crash are actually high. Out of all airline accidents from 1983 to 2000, 95.7% of passengers SURVIVED
The chances of an accident are very low. Even if there is an issue, the experienced pilots are most often able to land the aircraft safely.
8. Most medical issues are solved in flight or through an aircraft diversion. Only 0.3% of passengers who experience a serious medical issue on board die
Source: National Institutes of Health
An NIH study showed that a physician or medical professionals on board assisted in 48.1% of medical emergencies. Even if there isn’t a doctor or nurse on board, staff provides assistance and an aircraft diversion is an option if on-ground hospital care is needed.
9. No one died in a passenger jet plane crash in 2023
There were fatalities with smaller aircraft crashes, but commercial jet flights achieved ZERO deaths in 2023.
10. You have a 99.9996% of NOT even experiencing an injury on a plane ride
Even turbulence is NOT likely to cause you any harm.
11. Lightning does NOT affect aircraft
Source: Panish, Shea, Ravipudi LLC for Aviation Disaster Law
Are airplanes safe during a thunderstorm? Yes, they are. Airplanes have material and systems that shield the aircraft from lightning strike damage.
12. You have a higher chance of dying from the food on a plane than an actual plane crash
This is NOT to deter you from eating airline food, but it’s more about giving perspective. You have a 1 in 3 million chance of dying from food poisoning, versus just 1 in 13.7 million from a plane crash.
13. More people die from falling off the bed than in airplane crashes
Don’t be afraid to sleep now! You need your rest. Again, this is just providing perspective to emphatically provide a YES answer to the question: Are airplanes safe?
14. Flying is more than 39 times SAFER now than in the 1960s
The fatality rate in the 1960s was 1 per 350,000 passengers. The industry has made incredible progress in improving the safety of its travelers.
15. The lifetime odds are dying in a plane crash are basically too small to calculate
Yes, we have data on the number of deaths annually. But on an individual basis, the odds of you dying in a plane crash are so minuscule that it virtually can not be calculated.
So, are airplanes safe? Without a doubt, YES! Flying is the safest way to travel
We hope this article helps ease any anxiety and stress you have about flying. Your next big adventure awaits, and we do NOT want the fear of the skies to hold you back. There’s a big, beautiful world out there to explore, and airline travel has made it possible for you to safely reach your destination.
Taking proper safety measures while traveling remains a key part of having a wonderful journey. For more guides and resources, check out our other guides on travel safety:
- Keys for a Safe Adventure During Winter
- Keeping Kids Safe & Healthy on Vacation
- Navigating Travel Safety Advisories
- Tips and Safety Advice for Traveling Solo
- Hostel Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
About the Author
Nick Callos has always had a passion for reading, writing, and discovering the new and unknown. Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, Nick holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Boston College. He currently splits his time between his hometown, Chengdu, China, and the open road. A full-time travel writer, Nick hopes his work can inspire others to explore the world more deeply and enjoy the digital nomad lifestyle.Featured image by Artturi Jalli on Unsplash
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