Recent aviation accidents, such as the midair collision over the Potomac River, have left many travelers questioning whether flying is still as safe as it once was. With deadly incidents involving major airlines like American Airlines, Jeju Air, and Azerbaijan Airlines in recent months, it’s no wonder that anxiety around flying has spiked. However, experts insist that air travel remains the safest mode of transportation. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about flying safety, recent crashes, and why you shouldn’t be worried about booking that next flight.
The Current Aviation Safety Situation
In late January 2025, the American Airlines regional jet crashed near Washington, D.C., after colliding with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing 67 people. This devastating accident follows a string of incidents in the last year, including the deadly crashes involving Jeju Air and Azerbaijan Airlines. Despite the gravity of these tragedies, experts maintain that air travel remains statistically safer than other forms of transportation.
Anthony Brickhouse, an aviation safety expert, emphasizes that even accounting for serious accidents, flying is still far safer than driving. “Statistically speaking, you’re safer in your flight than you were driving in your car to the airport,” said Brickhouse, who has decades of experience in aerospace engineering and accident investigation.
Major Aviation Accidents in 2024-2025
January 2025: Potomac River Collision
In late January 2025, a collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., tragically claimed 67 lives. This crash has drawn attention to concerns about air safety, but aviation experts urge the public not to overreact.
February 2025: Delta Air Lines Crash
Just weeks later, on February 17, 2025, a Delta Air Lines regional jet crashed during its landing at Toronto Pearson International Airport. While the crash was serious, resulting in 18 injuries, no fatalities were reported. This incident serves as a reminder that, while aviation accidents can be alarming, the likelihood of such tragedies is still rare.
Additional Fatalities in 2025
- On January 31, 2025, a small medical jet in Philadelphia crashed, killing 7 people.
- On February 6, 2025, a small Cessna aircraft crashed in Alaska, resulting in 10 fatalities.
- A private jet collision at Scottsdale Airport in Arizona on February 10, 2025, claimed the life of one person and injured four others.
These recent events, while tragic, are outliers in an industry that is overwhelmingly safe. Experts argue that even with these accidents, the risk of flying remains minimal.
Global Trends in Aviation Safety
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 2023 was an exceptionally safe year for aviation, with a record-low fatality rate of just 0.03 fatalities per million sectors flown. For context, the IATA reports that on average, a person would need to travel every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.
This drop in fatality rates represents a broader trend in aviation safety improvements. In fact, aviation has become 61% safer over the past decade. While 2024 has seen some high-profile crashes, the overall trend shows a continued reduction in accidents and fatalities, especially among jet aircraft.
