AP-NORC Poll: Most Americans say air travel is safe despite recent scares
A new poll by the Associated Press and NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds most Americans believe air travel is generally safe in the U.S. The poll was released Friday
Most U.S. adults believe that air travel is generally safe in the U.S., despite some doubts about whether aircraft are being properly maintained and remain free from structural problems.
About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say planes are a “very” or “somewhat” safe method of travel, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Even with that high level of trust, only about 2 in 10 U.S. adults have “a great deal” of confidence that airplanes are being properly maintained, or that they are safe from structural faults. Another half have a “moderate” amount of faith that this is the case.
The poll was conducted after a Jan. 5 accident in which a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) above Oregon, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. That led to the grounding of more than 140 planes and raised questions about Boeing's ongoing manufacturing problems as well as the Federal Aviation Administration's ability to address them.
U.S. adults are more confident in airline pilots' and air traffic controllers' ability to maintain air safety than they are in the commercial airlines, airplane manufacturers or federal government agencies charged with it. A majority have at least a “moderate” amount of confidence that each is ensuring safety.
Some with fears of flying expressed even more concern because of the Alaska Airlines incident.
“I don't enjoy flying. It is so unnatural — we're in a metal tube flying through the air,” said Margaret Burke of Pensacola, Florida,
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