Why Flying Still Remains One of the Safest Modes of Transport
31 December 2024

Did you know there were 280 fatalities from plane crashes in 2024? Although that number is a lot, and each is a tragic loss in their own right, that number alone equals the number of lives lost on the roads worldwide in just two hours.
Over the last four days, there have been two fatal plane crashes, which have raised questions over the safety of flying. The Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 caused the death of 38 passengers and crew on Christmas Day, and the Jeju Air Boeing 737 that skidded along the runway at Muan in South Korea before hitting a wall and catching fire killed all but two of the 181 passengers and crew on board.
The Christmas Day Azerbaijan Airlines crash was the first fatal incident worldwide that involved a passenger jet in 2024. At the beginning of the year, a Japan Airlines Airbus burst into flames as it landed in Tokyo’s airport but all of the 279 passengers and crew escaped. Similarly, on 5th January 2024, when a door plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max belonging to Alaska Airlines, all 177 on board survived.
Each life lost from flying is significant, but it would be a mistake to get overly fixated on the idea that flying isn’t safe - when it is. In actual fact, accidents and fatalities are at an all time record low, this contrasting with almost 40% of people stating that they have a fear of flying.
Interestingly, research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology claims worldwide plane travel continues to get safer, as dying from air travel is 1 in every 13.7 million passengers globally (from 2018 - 2022). In essence, travelling via flying is some of the safest transport around, but if you’re feeling nervous after the headlines from the last few weeks, then there are practical and safe ways that you can take steps to face your fears head on - some of our Flying Experiences included.
To start off small, our Flight Simulator Experiences are a fantastic entry into the flying world. Often being a replica of a Boeing 737, you can get a realistic experience of flying and learning all the controls, all without leaving the ground. If you’ve been putting off getting on a plane for a few years, these simulators are a good way to immerse yourself back into the world of flying without having to face the air.
Alternatively, our Aeroplane Flying Lessons are a great way to get more comfortable in the skies. Paired with an expert instructor, you’ll learn the basic controls of a plane and can take on as much as you like, whilst getting to enjoy some incredible views through the skies. Our flying lessons are an ideal way to feel more comfortable with flying, and can often make you feel that little bit more secure, the next time you hop onto a commercial plane.
Every life lost from flying is undoubtedly a tragedy, but it’s more dangerous to let ourselves be sucked into the headlines and fearmongering, when the reality is, flying is still the safest form of transport. If you’re not sure or want to find out more from the experts, then booking yourself in for a flying experience is the best way forward. This is a way to confront the fear head on, but also realise how safe flying is, and how rare it is to be involved in an accident.
Keen to explore all of the unique Flying Experiences we run across the UK? Be sure to check out our January Sale coming up on our Special Offers page, or our FlyDays Gift Vouchers which are a great gift for those curious about the skies.