Recent aviation incidents have captured headlines and raised public concerns, but data reveals commercial air travel remains the safest form of transportation despite isolated accidents.
Key Takeaways
- Despite high-profile incidents, aviation accidents have remained steady or declined over the past decade according to National Transportation Safety Board data.
- Commercial aviation maintains a high safety record, with most accidents occurring in general aviation involving private pilots.
- The FAA manages over 45,000 flights daily with few incidents, reinforcing the statistical safety of air travel.
- Media coverage and social media amplify individual incidents, creating a perception of increasing frequency that isn’t supported by data.
- Recent incidents have prompted safety reviews that may ultimately strengthen aviation safety protocols.
Recent Incidents Spark Safety Concerns
A series of aviation accidents in 2025, including a deadly midair collision near Washington and a commercial jet flipping upside down after landing in Toronto, has prompted renewed scrutiny of flight safety. These incidents, along with several others since the beginning of the year, have left many travelers questioning whether air travel is becoming more dangerous. The heightened anxiety is evident in public discourse, with both social media and traditional news outlets drawing increased attention to aviation mishaps that might have previously received less coverage.
U.S. Transport Secretary Sean Duffy has called these recent air incidents “very unique,” seeking to reassure the public. However, an Associated Press survey indicates these events have affected some American consumers’ confidence in flying. The Federal Aviation Administration has already announced plans to modify route management around Washington following the recent collision, demonstrating the regulatory response to such incidents.
Data Shows Long-Term Safety Improvements
Despite the concerning headlines, comprehensive data from aviation authorities tells a different story. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, aviation accidents have not increased but have actually remained steady or declined over the past decade. Early 2025 has seen fewer incidents compared to the same period in previous years. The NTSB typically records over 1,100 aviation accidents annually, but the vast majority of these involve general aviation—private flights—rather than commercial passenger aircraft.
BBC Verify analysis reveals a general downward trend in air accidents over the past two decades. From 2012 to 2022, air carrier accidents averaged just 27 per year, with only six being fatal—an extraordinary safety record considering the millions of flights operated annually. The Federal Aviation Administration handles over 45,000 flights daily in the United States alone, with the overwhelming majority completing their journeys without incident. This statistical reality stands in stark contrast to the perception created by concentrated media coverage of isolated events.
General Aviation vs. Commercial Flight Safety
Understanding the distinction between general aviation and commercial flights is crucial for an accurate perspective on air safety. Pilot error remains a leading cause of aviation accidents, particularly among private pilots who typically have less experience and training than their commercial counterparts. These general aviation flights, which include private planes, recreational aircraft, and training flights, account for the bulk of aviation incidents each year.
Claims circulating on social media suggesting a 400% increase in plane crashes are reportedly misleading. These assertions typically fail to differentiate between different types of aviation and don’t account for the vast number of flights successfully completed each day. When compared to road travel, air transportation has significantly lower passenger deaths per distance traveled, reinforcing its position as the safest mode of transportation available to travelers today.
How Media Coverage Shapes Public Perception
The perception of increased aviation danger stems largely from how incidents are reported and shared in today’s media environment. Social media amplifies singular events, creating an impression of frequency that statistics don’t support. Each aviation incident now receives extensive coverage across multiple platforms, whereas in previous decades, many minor incidents might have received limited attention.
“Commercial aviation accidents like this are extremely rare, so when they happen, they get lots of attention,” said Jeff Guzzetti, aviation safety consultant and former NTSB air safety investigator, of the situation.
Global data from the International Civil Aviation Organization shows a consistent decline in accidents per million plane departures from 2005 to 2023. While occasional spikes in fatalities occur due to major disasters, the overall trend shows significantly improved safety. Aviation experts emphasize that this increased scrutiny may ultimately benefit the industry by driving further safety improvements, enhanced pilot training, and more rigorous regulatory oversight.
Sources
- Has There Been an Increase in Plane Crashes? Here’s What the Data Show
- Are there more plane accidents happening this year? That’s not what federal data shows
- Are planes crashing more often?
