Worried About Flying? Here’s What the Data Actually Says

If you've been paying attention to the news lately, it seems like there's an airplane accident every day.

This hits close to home for me because I sometimes work out at the gym in Philadelphia where the plane crash just happened. That could've been me.

A few weeks back, during my trip to Boston, I found myself wondering on the plane: should I travel less this year?

For someone like me who loves to travel a lot, that's a big question.

But, being naturally skeptical, I went to the source and looked at the numbers. I checked all the plane accidents by year and found something surprising.

In 2025, we're on track to have fewer plane crashes than in previous years.

https://www.ntsb.gov/safety/data/Pages/monthly-dashboard.aspx

Looking deeper, I also found there were fewer fatalities in 2025 than in the last couple of years.

So how does this make sense?

There's a term in statistics called availability bias. According to A.I. (I find it entertaining to cite A.I. instead of the actual source), availability bias is "where people overestimate the likelihood of events based on how easily they can recall similar instances."

This means that if something comes to mind quickly—like a recent plane crash or news story—people tend to believe it happens more often than it actually does.

Therefore, when we see more plane crashes on the news, we think that more plane crashes are happening because these events are at the top of our minds.

As you can see, the media has a big impact on availability bias. 

Looking at the data, if the media wanted to, they could report a new airplane accident every day and still have more left over.

Which probably leads to your next question: Why would the media do such a thing?

You mean "Why would the media want people to live in a constant state of fear?"

I'm just a travel blogger. You probably know better than me, my friend. 😉

Moral of the story: Don't believe the hype and keep traveling — I know I will.

P.S. Remember that the most dangerous part of air travel is actually driving to the airport.

Keep traveling, 

Andrew

Has the recent news about plane crashes made you consider traveling less this year?

Cocktail of the Week

The Black Nail cocktail originates from Ireland, where it was created as a twist on the classic Rusty Nail, incorporating Irish whiskey instead of Scotch. The drink gets its name from its rich amber color and the smooth yet bold combination of whiskey and Drambuie, a honeyed liqueur with Scotch whisky and herbal notes.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 oz Irish whiskey

• 0.75 oz Drambuie

• Ice cubes

• Orange twist (for garnish)

Instructions:

• Fill a mixing glass with ice cubes.

• Pour in the Irish whiskey and Drambuie.

• Stir well for about 30 seconds to chill and combine the flavors.

• Strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

• Garnish with an orange twist and serve.

Random Travel Thought

If I can travel the world with my terrible sense of direction, you shouldn't worry about getting lost.

Follow me on Instagram.

The Plug

Cheap flights:

• Going.com : This might be the only discounted flights website you need. It’s a paid service that sends you notifications when deals become available, but they expire in a couple of days so Act Fast!! 
• Secret Flying 🤫: This website emails you about free flight opportunities and even better… it doesn’t cost a thing!!
• Skyscanner : An older, but still reliable website that’s also *FREE* so there’s no reason not to use it. Use the "Explore the World" feature and set your departure date to "Whole Month" to find the cheapest deals.

Insurance:

• Safety Wing : I use Safety Wing as my travel insurance because the plans are flexible. You can easily insure a 1-week trip for like $11 dollars which is less than the cost of a cocktail at the bar.

Travel Gear

• Compression socks: Sitting for extended periods of time is not good for the body, so keep yourself healthy enough to go on more trips. Link
• Apple AirTags: Consider getting Apple AirTags for the peace of mind of always knowing where your luggage is. Link
• Smart Phone holder: It's a foldable sheet that can be used as a stand for your iPhone or iPad.Link
• Packing cubes: Having a separate container works wonders for keeping clothes wrinkle-free. It also makes packing/unpacking much easier.Link
• Donut Power Strip: Power outlets are always in demand, but sometimes they're in weird spots. I use this bagel because it's lightweight, and I don't have to think about it. Link
• Travel Case Organizer: Cable organizers can be a pain, but this is what I use to keep my cables organized. Link
• Backup batteries: I like these backup batteries because they have three important components for me: 1. They have enough power to recharge my phone multiple times at once, 2. Are small enough to put in my pocket, and 3. Are sturdy enough to survive a fall. Link
• Yoga Mat: I use this thin mat to get my stretching in even when I'm traveling. Link
• Jump Rope: It's so easy to bring a jump rope with you for exercise because it weighs almost nothing and takes up no space. Link
• Liquid IV: Great for hydration to keep you from dying. When you're traveling, it's time to live it up!  Link
  
  *Above are Affiliate links at no additional cost to you.

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