Summary
A new AP-NORC poll shows that Americans’ confidence in air travel has declined after several fatal plane crashes in 2025.
Only 64% now believe flying is safe, down from 71% last year, while the number of those who feel it is unsafe rose by 12%.
Confidence in pilots, air traffic controllers, and the federal government has also dropped. Recent crashes, including a deadly collision over Washington, D.C., have fueled public concern.
Meanwhile, Trump has begun firing hundreds of FAA employees, raising further safety worries.
Flying is still the safest form of transport.
There’s 1.17 deaths and 42 injuries per 100 million miles travelled by car in the USA. In comparison, there’s only 0.007 injuries per 100 million miles flown in commercial planes in the USA. Even trains are more dangerous at 0.1 injuries per 100 million miles.
You’re far, far more likely to be in a car crash on your way to the airport compared to being involved in a plane crash.
These stats reflect years of institutional intervention from the FAA and NTSB. With alterations to those regulators its unlikely these stats will continue to be relevant.
Even if flying gets a bit less safe, there would have to be far, far more plane crashes (at least three orders of magnitude more) for it to become anywhere near as dangerous as driving.
It also ignores how hard it is to be a pilot or a train conductor vs driving a car around town. Got an easy to obtain license and some cash and you’re golden. Try to do that with a plane or train. Takes some serious education in comparison
This is a reason why people should feel safer taking a plane or train, which is my point.
You spitting some real pre-2025 numbers unless the only car you’re including is a cyber truck
Of course they’re pre 2025… It’s only February so there’s no full year stats for 2025 yet.
Dying in a car crash takes so many forms. Instantly crushed by a truck? Or die slowly in the hospital?
But i imagine dying in an airplane almost always involves 20mins of sheer terror as you plummet towards the earth knowing that you will die, or if you might survive and be floating in the ocean for days.