While airline crashes still make headlines when they occur, the fact is that the airline industry is not just safe — it’s getting safer. According to a professor and safety researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), “Aviation safety continues to get better.”
He went on to add that “(T)he chance of dying during an air journey keeps dropping by about 7% percent annually and continues to (drop) by a factor of two every decade.”
Is it true that flying is safer than driving?
Mile for mile, it definitely is safer. In fact, airline travel is the safest way of traveling, eclipsing travel by car, train, subway, motorcycle and bus. For example, in 2022, just 47 passengers suffered injuries during more than 709 billion miles traveled by plane. Those numbers equate to circumnavigating the planet more than 600,000 times for a single airline injury.
Why are people afraid to fly?
For many with this fear, it is linked with a fear of loss of control. Climbing aboard an airplane requires a leap of faith that the pilot and his flight team are well-equipped to deal with any in-air emergencies, including take-offs and landings.
Those who lack that confidence and fear the consequences of surrendering control to unknown people tasked with maintaining passenger safety often struggle to loosen the reins on their fears, even when presented with safety statistics that refute their beliefs.
Do you suffer from a fear of flying?
If so, you’re in good company, as many Americans dislike flying even if they agree to this travel route. Learning more about aviation safety rates may help nervous flyers to gain more confidence.
