Are planes crashing more often? | BBC News

Summary

Recent high-profile plane crashes have raised public concerns about air travel safety. However, statistics show that accidents have significantly decreased over the years, with air travel remaining safer than other modes of transportation, like driving. The video explores factors like turbulence, seat safety, and the role of manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus in accidents. Despite media focus on incidents involving specific aircraft, flying is statistically safer. The video also discusses the safest seats on planes, with those at the tail offering a higher chance of survival in crashes, and emphasizes the importance of seatbelts, especially in turbulence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Recent plane crashes are highly publicized, but air accidents have decreased significantly over the past years.
• 😀 Despite more high-profile crashes, data shows the overall number of air accidents is on the decline since 2005.
• 😀 Flying is statistically safer than driving, with fewer fatalities in air travel compared to road accidents.
• 😀 Climate change is predicted to increase turbulence frequency and intensity in the coming decades, making air travel more challenging.
• 😀 The safest seats on a plane are usually towards the tail, historically shown to have better survival rates in crashes.
• 😀 Boeing aircraft, while frequently scrutinized, do not have a significantly higher incident rate than Airbus, with only a slight difference in accident rates per million flights.
• 😀 The perception of planes being more dangerous is influenced by the media's focus on major accidents, rather than actual statistics.
• 😀 The safest airline brands, based on factors like fatalities and pilot training, include Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Emirates for full-service, and HK Express and Ryanair for budget carriers.
• 😀 Experts emphasize that securing your seatbelt is a crucial safety measure to ensure protection, especially during unexpected turbulence.
• 😀 While certain airplane manufacturers like Boeing have faced scrutiny, historical data suggests that the issue is more about the media focus than inherent danger in the aircraft models.

Q & A

What happened in the Air India crash in June 2025?

An Air India flight heading for London Gatwick crashed, killing 260 people. The one survivor, Vishwashkumar Romesh, was sitting in seat 11A.

Why does it feel like there are more plane crashes recently?

Although the number of crashes is actually decreasing, media coverage and social media often amplify the visibility of major incidents, leading to the impression that crashes are more frequent.

How does climate change affect airplane safety?

Climate change is expected to increase severe turbulence around the world by up to three times in the coming decades, which could affect flight safety.

How has the number of air accidents changed since 2005?

The number of air accidents has decreased significantly since 2005, even though the number of flights has increased.

What does the data say about the safety of flying?

Overall, flying is becoming safer. The number of accidents and fatalities has decreased over the years, with only occasional spikes due to major disasters.

Which airlines are considered the safest?

Full-service airlines like Air New Zealand, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Emirates are ranked the safest, while low-cost carriers such as HK Express, JetStar, Ryanair, and EasyJet are also top performers.

Are Boeing planes more dangerous than Airbus planes?

Statistically, Boeing planes have slightly more incidents per million flights (5.6) compared to Airbus (4.9), but the difference is minimal and does not make Boeing planes significantly more dangerous.

What is the safest seat on an airplane?

Contrary to popular belief, seat 11A is not the safest. The safest seats are typically located near the tail of the plane, as this area tends to have more clearance in crashes.

Why are the seats near the tail of the plane considered safer?

Seats near the tail of the plane are considered safer because they have more clearance in the event of a crash, and the black boxes, which are used to record flight data, are often stored near the tail.

How important is it to keep your seatbelt fastened during a flight?

It is very important to keep your seatbelt fastened, especially during turbulence. Being strapped in increases your safety, even during unexpected events like severe turbulence.