Are Boeing planes still safe to fly?

Yes, data indicates that when adjusted for flight volume, Boeing's accident rates are comparable to Airbus, and aviation as a whole is at its safest point in history.

What causes most aircraft accidents?

Most aviation incidents are caused by human or environmental factors, such as pilot error or turbulence, rather than mechanical failures or manufacturing defects.

How safe is flying compared to driving?

Statistically, flying is significantly safer than driving. You are far more likely to be involved in an accident while driving to the airport than during a flight.

Home / Business and Economy / Flying is safer than ever, data shows

Flying is safer than ever, data shows

5 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Accident rates for Boeing and Airbus are nearly identical when adjusted for flight volume.
Human or environmental factors cause most aviation incidents, not mechanical failures.
Modern aviation is the safest mode of travel in history, with record-low accidents.

Recent incidents have sparked concerns about aviation safety, but a closer look at data reveals a more reassuring picture. Analyses of flight records indicate that both Boeing and Airbus maintain extraordinarily low accident rates, appearing nearly identical when adjusted for the sheer volume of flights they operate. Raw numbers can be misleading due to factors like reporting differences and the greater presence of Boeing aircraft in U.S. airspace.

The vast majority of aviation incidents are not due to mechanical failures but stem from human error, environmental conditions like turbulence, or minor issues. True aircraft-related problems, tied to design or systems, constitute a small fraction, and manufacturing defects are even rarer. When these factors are isolated, the safety records of both manufacturers are statistically indistinguishable.

Overall, flying has reached its safest point in history. With record-low accident rates globally, the risk of a major incident is exceptionally small. Experts emphasize that driving to the airport presents a statistically greater risk than flying. Both manufacturers continuously learn from incidents, ensuring that flying remains one of the safest modes of transportation available.