Boeing Safety: Understanding Your Concerns as a Traveler

Should travelers be worried about flying on Boeing planes after recent safety incidents?

Question: I have seen some worrying headlines about Boeing. As a traveler with flights booked on airlines that fly a lot of Boeings, do I need to worry?

Response: I understand why you would be concerned, particularly after the January incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX. However, I continue to have confidence in the safety systems implemented in aviation. I would board a Boeing airplane tomorrow without hesitation.

It’s Reasonable to Be Concerned After an Incident

First, let me reassure you that flying is statistically one of the safest ways to travel—much safer than driving a car, walking, or even staying at home, given the rate of household accidents.

That said, it’s completely reasonable to feel anxious about air travel after such incidents. With the prevalence of social media and smartphones, we are now more aware of aviation incidents than ever before. This heightened awareness can lead to an exaggerated perception of risk.

In aviation, any significant event garners major media attention. A minor incident can quickly become headline news, which contributes to public anxiety. Moreover, psychologically, we tend to overestimate the likelihood of experiencing catastrophic events, especially those we cannot control. This phenomenon, known as “dread risks,” explains why some individuals fear flying while being unconcerned about risks associated with driving or public transport.

As reiterated, I would board a Boeing airplane tomorrow. In fact, I recently put my parents on a Boeing 737, and I have plans to travel on a Boeing 777 shortly. Every flight we take is accompanied by safety briefings outlining emergency protocols. To put this into perspective, if we had to watch a five-minute safety video every time we drove, we would surely feel more aware of the risks associated with road travel, which evidence shows is more dangerous than flying.

For further clarity, on the day of the door incident with Alaska Airlines, flight tracking website FlightRadar24 reported that 123,515 other commercial flights took place. Statistically speaking, the risk of a negative event remains drastically low, yet our perception often skews towards fear.

The aviation industry is backed by a comprehensive regulatory framework aimed at ensuring safety. Organizations such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and various pilot and flight attendant unions work collaboratively with aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and safety standards organizations to maintain high safety standards in air travel.

Why I Trust Boeing Airplanes

As an aviation journalist, I frequently engage with safety experts, manufacturers, and various stakeholders in the aviation safety ecosystem. Recently, I edited a special aviation magazine edition focusing on the Boeing 737 MAX, which deepened my understanding of these issues. I do not take these concerns lightly.

The prevailing sentiment in the aviation community following the Alaska Airlines incident has been one of shock, but not necessarily surprise. Various factors have contributed to Boeing’s current challenges, all of which have serious implications for aviation safety.

Nevertheless, the aviation safety system is responding to these challenges in ways that ensure continued passenger safety. Therefore, I maintain my trust in this system to protect us throughout our journeys.