Saturday, March 15th, 2025
With the surge in famous plane crashes in 2025, many travelers are questioning the safety of air travel. A quick look at National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) statistics shows 67 fatalities in this year's commercial plane crash. This is an incredible increase from scratch last year. However, aviation experts have emphasized that flight is one of the safest modes of transport.
Understanding aviation safety requires context. Not all aviation accidents include commercial airline flights. Civil aircraft, charter aircraft, and general aviation have contributed significantly to the number of incidents. By distinguishing between these categories, you can get a clearer picture of the risks associated with flight.
Air Travel Safety: The Big Picture
Christy Kienan, associate director of the Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry Riddle Aviation and Aerospace Safety, has highlighted the rarity of aviation accidents in the United States over the past 25 years.
“Fortunately, accidents were extremely rare for US airlines. In our years of flights with the Coast Guard, we were able to go for a year without incident and then have what appears to be a significant statistical increase,” Keenan said.
So far in 2025, NTSB has recorded six airline accidents, but not all of them died. These numbers also exclude smaller civil aircraft. This explains the historically high share of aviation accidents every year.
Does more accidents mean an increased risk?
Aviation experts should note that they draw broad conclusions from aggregated data. Airplane accidents are rarely caused by a single factor, making it difficult to compare incidents.
“Air travel incidents always make headlines. Given the number of people flying every day and the extensive coverage, it's natural that public interest will increase,” says RW Mann & Co, a former airline executive and independent airline consultancy. says Robert W. Mann Jr., president of the company.
Airline safety varies dramatically depending on the type of flight operation. Civil and charter aircraft may operate under strict regulations, but commercial airline flights maintain high safety standards, strict pilot training, and strict maintenance protocols.
Historical background: Major US aviation accidents
This year's accidents have raised concerns, but it is essential to consider past events for perspective.
January 2025: An air collision over the Potomac River caused the first fatal crash of a US commercial airline since 2009. Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crashed in San Francisco, causing three fatal conflicts, and in 2018 it became three fatal.
These isolated incidents, albeit tragic, do not show systemic disorders of aviation safety. The industry's ability to research, learn and implement safety measures has consistently pushed down accident rates for decades.
Why Flying remains safe: A culture of continuous improvement
The aviation industry maintains a strong safety record through strict protocols, continuous learning, and a culture of non-missionary reporting.
“Aviation safety evolves with a culture of fairness, which encourages uncondemned, fearless transparency and continuous learning from mistakes,” explains Kiernan.
The key elements of aviation safety are:
Strict Pilot Training: Airline pilots receive extensive simulation-based training to ensure emergency handling. Airlines invest in preventive maintenance and ensure that aircraft meet the highest operating standards.
Aviation's “Just Culture” ensures that mistakes become learning opportunities and fosters an environment in which dangers are identified and mitigated before they spread to accidents.
The Future of Aviation Safety: What can we improve?
Commercial flights are still safe, but experts emphasize that aviation safety is an endless process.
“The goal is always zero accidents, but with the ever-increasing number of flights, continuous improvement is essential,” Mann says.
Potential areas of enhanced safety
Advances in aircraft technology: New aircraft incorporate advanced sensors and AI-driven surveillance systems to detect and prevent malfunctions before takeoff. BetterAirTraffic Control Management: An upgraded air traffic control system helps reduce airborne conflicts and improve flight routing efficiency.
For the uneasy traveller, Kiernan recommends empowering themselves with knowledge. Following safety card reviews and crew instructions can help reduce fear and reinforce the reality that risk remains very low.
“Aviation is one of the safest forms of travel. I fly regularly and fly to my kids. The industry is constantly working to improve, making air travel safer each year,” reassured Keenan.
Conclusion: Flying is still very safe
Despite recent accidents, air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation thanks to advanced safety systems, strict regulations and a culture of continued learning.
The system is not perfect, but the proven track record of commercial aviation speaks for itself. A focus on data-driven safety measures, strict pilot training and aggressive maintenance ensure that millions of passengers fly safely every day.
So, should travelers be worried? Not at all. Aviation experts are still committed to making flights even safer. So you can confidently book your next flight.
