As headlines about recent plane crashes spread across the media, anxiety about air travel is on the rise. With social media amplifying every incident and Hollywood fueling fears with films like “Carry On,” many travelers are second-guessing their next flight.
In the past few months, multiple aviation incidents have made international news, adding to public concern. The most notable crash was on Jan. 29, 2025, when an American Airlines commercial flight collided with a U.S. Black Hawk Army helicopter near Washington National Airport. The mid-air collision resulted in the deaths of all 64 individuals on the plane and three in the helicopter. Some of the individuals the plane carried were 28 skaters, coaches and family members as they were returning from the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Wichita, KS.
Additionally, on Feb. 10, 2025, a Learjet plane veered off the runway after landing at Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona, colliding with a Parker Gulfstream plane. The crash resulted in the death of the pilot and injuries to three passengers.
In response to these incidents, airlines are implementing measures to enhance safety and restore passenger confidence. American Airlines has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive review of its safety protocols and training procedures, according to People.com. The airline is collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure adherence to the highest safety standards. Additionally, the FAA has emphasized its commitment to attentive oversight and has urged all airlines to prioritize safety inspections and crew training. The agency is also expediting the implementation of advanced safety technologies to reduce risks and enhance overall aviation safety. Another major event that scared many was when a plane flying in Alaska was reported missing. According to CNN, the plane was last seen over the Norton Sound around 3:16 p.m on Jan. 6. A fire department crew headed down the coast Friday morning to cover ground inland and along the coastline. Hospitals were gearing up in case they needed to respond, with the Norton Sound Health Corp. The Norton Sound Regional Hospital also set up a family center for the loved ones of passengers to gather while waiting for news. The next day, the airplane was found. Two rescue swimmers identified three bodies inside the plane and the seven others were believed to be inside the wreckage.
The fear of flying has also been fueled by pop culture. Netflix’s recent thriller “Carry On” preys on the worst fears of passengers. The film follows a terrorist threatening to bring down a plane on Christmas Day, forcing an air marshal into an impossible situation. The intense action and high-stakes storyline left many viewers unsettled about their next flight.
Although recent plane crashes have garnered significant attention, there is actually a notable trend of decreasing crashes each year. According to CNN, since 2022, the number of accidents have had their ups and downs world-wide. Peaking in 2022 with 1,212 crashes and dropping in 2024 with 1164 collisions. In 2023, the crashes had reached 1,188 and finally reached around 98 so far in 2025.
Despite many of these recent crashes, many students at FHS, like sophomore Sana Santimano, have not felt that it has impacted their point of view of flying on airplanes. With multiple safety videos on airplanes before taking off, many people believe that airlines do a good job reassuring the passengers of their safety and the evacuation procedures in place in case of an accident. One example of a safety procedure that makes many feel safe is knowing there is a life vest under every seat in case of an emergency landing in the middle of the ocean.
“I think [the airplane industry does enough to reassure travelers] because they provide you with safety videos and always do checks,” Santimano said.
