In recent times, travelers are paying more attention to the aircraft they will be flying on when booking flights, influenced by media coverage of various issues involving Boeing aircraft. A survey conducted by Quantum Metric in June revealed that 55% of travelers have changed their booking habits due to recent news about aircraft and airlines, with some avoiding Boeing planes altogether. Despite concerns, aviation safety has significantly improved over the years, with the risk of dying on a commercial flight globally being 1 per 13.7 million passenger boardings from 2018 to 2022, compared to 1 per 350,000 boardings in the late 1960s and 1970s.
The perception of flight safety varies across different regions, with countries like the United States, the European Union, and others being classified as Tier 1, while other countries fall into Tiers 2 and 3. Despite geographical disparities, the overall trend shows a decline in fatalities per boarding over the years. While current issues surrounding Boeing may cause concern, experts remain confident in the safety of commercial aviation, citing technological advancements and rigorous safety measures as contributing factors to improved safety standards.
Aircraft manufacturing is mainly dominated by Boeing and Airbus, making it challenging for travelers to avoid Boeing-manufactured planes. However, there are platforms available that allow passengers to filter flights by aircraft type. Some airlines have a significant number of Boeing aircraft in their fleet, making it difficult for travelers who want to avoid flying on Boeing planes. In some cases, travelers may need to switch airlines to achieve their desired aircraft preference.
Personal experiences of travelers may impact their decisions to select flights based on the aircraft type. Following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019, one traveler opted to pay a higher fare to avoid traveling on a Boeing 737 Max. However, changes in departure times and aircraft can sometimes result in travelers inadvertently flying on Boeing planes, highlighting the challenges of completely avoiding a specific aircraft manufacturer. Despite such incidents, experts emphasize that the aviation industry remains highly secure and focuses on ensuring the safety of passengers.
