Survey indicates 64% of Americans believe flying is safe, down from 71% who said so last year

Summary

A new AP-NORC poll shows that Americans’ confidence in air travel has declined after several fatal plane crashes in 2025.

Only 64% now believe flying is safe, down from 71% last year, while the number of those who feel it is unsafe rose by 12%.

Confidence in pilots, air traffic controllers, and the federal government has also dropped. Recent crashes, including a deadly collision over Washington, D.C., have fueled public concern.

Meanwhile, Trump has begun firing hundreds of FAA employees, raising further safety worries.

      • @[email protected]English
        2•17 hours ago

        Nope. The rest of the world will have to play defensive for this - it’s not just air traffic control causing these problems

        It’s manufacturing and maintenance too - they’re going to continue to slash regulations and the inspectors enforcing them

        Got an international flight coming in? Hopefully they’re meeting your standards before they take off. Our standards were more strict than most places outside Europe, and now if airlines don’t have to meet that bar to do business…

        • @[email protected]
          2•14 hours ago

          You are right, I was mostly thinking about ATC, but yeah globally.

          “If it aint Boeing, I aint going” is truly dead.