**Rising Fear of Flying, but Data Reveals a Different Narrative**
Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in online conversations regarding airplane accidents, which has sparked widespread concern about flying. Data from [Google Trends](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=%2Fm%2F015xf8&hl=en) indicates that searches related to aviation disasters have escalated nearly 50 times higher than any previous period since Google began monitoring this information. This even eclipses the interest surrounding the disappearance of [Malaysia Airlines Flight 370](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/10-years-malaysia-airlines-plane-vanished-mh370-rcna142228) in 2014.
### **Flying Is Now Safer than Ever**
In spite of the increasing apprehension, statistics demonstrate that air travel has never been safer. Information from the [National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)](https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiOWRlNThhYWMtNDI1ZC00NmU4LWFmYmItNzIxMjRlM2QxY2Y5IiwidCI6IjA4YzdlNjU5LTM3NDgtNDQ1YS05ZjVhLWI2ZjYyMzU2ZGViYyIsImMiOjF9&pageName=ReportSection806ad6f6382ee0998c17) reveals that in January 2025, 63 airplane accidents were reported, predominantly involving private planes. This marks a reduction from the 80 incidents noted in January 2024. Likewise, data from the International Civil Aviation Organization highlights a long-term decrease in aviation mishaps, as noted by the BBC ([source](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym8n4lzp6o)).
### **What’s Behind the Increased Alarm?**
The surge in fear can be linked to several prominent events. Early in 2025, a significant aviation accident took place when a commercial aircraft collided with a military helicopter in [Washington, D.C.](https://mashable.com/article/trump-faa-leadership-plane-crash-elon-musk), resulting in 67 deaths. Additionally, a commercial flight crash-landed upside down in [Toronto](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/two-passengers-sue-delta-plane-rolls-crash-landing-toronto-rcna193254), injuring several travelers.
Concurrent with this, the [Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)](https://mashable.com/article/trump-elon-musk-doge-department-of-government-efficiency), overseen by [Elon Musk](https://mashable.com/category/elon-musk), made considerable budget reductions to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), eliminating crucial roles linked to aviation safety supervision. The [Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/faa-firings-trump-doge-safety-airlines-27390c6a7aac58063652302df5a243d3) noted that these reductions have sparked worries about the future of safety in aviation.
### **Influence of Social Media**
Social media platforms have intensified public anxiety. As Marco Chan, a former pilot and senior lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, explained to [BBC Verify](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5ym8n4lzp6o), the rising concern can largely be attributed to the increased visibility of aviation accidents on online platforms.
Viral postings and clips on [X](https://mashable.com/category/twitter), [Instagram](https://mashable.com/category/instagram), and [TikTok](https://mashable.com/category/tiktok) have amplified the alarm. For instance, a (https://www.dexerto.com/tiktok/jetblue-passenger-goes-viral-anointing-plane-with-holy-water-as-crashes-increase-3139546/) showing a JetBlue passenger blessing a plane with holy water gained widespread attention, illustrating the growing disquiet among passengers.
Nonetheless, not all shared content is driven by fear. Travel influencer @bmekween [shared a video](https://www.instagram.com/p/DGV6wL9Ph0c/) highlighting the disparity between public unease and the actual statistics. She implied that the current administration may be exploiting fear to sway public perception. In her [viral TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@bmekween/video/7473907006160604446), she remarked, “One of the methods that those in power use to control others is by persuading them that something is more perilous than it truly is.”
### **Public Perception vs. Actuality**
Notwithstanding the online frenzy, a [poll from AP-NORC](https://apn