Flying feels scary, but the data tells a different story
Many nervous flyers, especially people in London, who now search for it more than most in the UK, according to Yijin Hardware, a global aerospace manufacturer, tend to worry about things they can see, like movement, noise, or turbulence. But they often don’t notice the hidden systems and safety checks that make flying one of the safest ways to travel.
Despite rising fears among nervous flyers, often triggered by news of rare but dramatic aviation incidents, data shows that commercial air travel is safer now than at any point in history.
What does the research really say about air travel today?
A study by MIT professor Arnold Barnett revealed that the global fatality risk for commercial passengers during 2018–2022 was just 1 in 13.7 million boardings, nearly twice as safe as the previous decade (2008–2017, which stood at 1 in 7.9 million). For context, in the 1968–1977 period, the fatality rate was 1 in every 350,000 boardings. That’s an improvement of roughly 39 times in five decades.
Also, the worldwide fatality risk per passenger is now estimated at 1 in 24.8 million boardings. In high-standard countries like the US, UK, Australia, and China, the risk is even lower (around 1 in 100 million).
This improvement comes even as global air traffic grows. In fact, 2023 marked a record year for aviation safety:
- The lowest number of fatal accidents ever recorded,
- Despite a 17% increase in global aircraft movements.
Across all these findings, one message is clear: while isolated incidents may dominate headlines, flying continues to become safer each year, supported by multi-layered safety systems, expert training, and advanced onboard technologies.
Hommer Zhao, an expert in aircraft wire harness manufacturing and Director at Wiringo, shared his insights about this.
“Most people don’t see the smart systems working behind the scenes. Even when there’s turbulence or strange sounds, these systems are still working normally,” Zhao adds. “They’re built to keep flights smooth and safe without passengers even noticing.”
Why You Don’t Need to Be Afraid of Flying?
Even though flying can feel scary, especially during turbulence or takeoff, experts say these fears often don’t match reality.
- Flying is safer than driving: Statistically, the chances of dying in a plane crash are far lower than in a car accident.
- Planes are built to handle turbulence: It may feel uncomfortable, but turbulence is normal and not dangerous.
- Pilots and crews are highly trained: Commercial pilots go through years of strict training and regular testing.
- Modern planes have smart backup systems: Even if one system fails, there are others that take over instantly.
- Every flight is checked before departure: Engineers and crews follow strict safety procedures before every takeoff.
- Thousands of flights land safely every day: On average, over 100,000 planes take off and land safely worldwide each day.