Compared to driving, flying is extraordinarily safe – but why doesn’t it feel that way?

Despite the fact that millions of people fly safely every day, the aftermath of a plane crash can be devastating. Media coverage, affected people sharing their stories, and the rarity of such events make the tragedy seem all too real. Some travelers may cancel their trips, opting instead to drive to their destination. However, these choices may not be as safe as they seem, as other modes of transportation often carry greater risks.

Airline accidents are rare and catastrophic, drawing attention but not necessarily reflecting the true level of risk involved. Research conducted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety reveals that commercial airline travel is exceptionally safe compared to other modes of transportation.

For the same distance traveled, the fatality risk is about 626 times higher in a passenger car or truck than on a commercial airline. Even highway bus travel, relatively safe as it is, carries about nine times the risk of commercial airline travel. When risk is measured per passenger boarding, the numbers remain striking, with only one passenger fatality per 97.7 million boardings on commercial airlines from 2016 to 2024.

These findings are consistent with earlier studies conducted from 2000 to 2009 and 2000 to 2009, which also identified commercial aviation as the safest mode of travel. The aftermath of high-profile events, such as the 9/11 terrorist attacks, can demonstrate how fear of a "dread risk" – a low-probability event with the potential for many casualties – can lead people to change their behavior and inadvertently increase their exposure to other hazards.

In the aftermath of 9/11, air travel declined sharply, leading to an increase in road traffic fatalities as people opted to drive instead. This shift in travel behavior highlights how our collective efforts to avoid one danger can sometimes create another.