Is Flying on a Boeing 737 Safe? What You Need to Know
Flying is the safest mode of transport, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). But with a number of reported incidents involving the Boeing 737, many people are concerned about the safety of flying on this particular aircraft model. So, are Boeing 737 planes safe to fly on, and which airlines use this model?
The Safety of Boeing 737 Planes
According to the IATA, there is one accident in every 1.26 million flights, making flying the safest mode of transport. The chances of experiencing a fatal accident while flying are extremely low, with the average person having to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to encounter such an incident. In comparison, the number of deaths from aviation accidents worldwide in 2022 was 158, while more than 65,000 individuals died in road accidents in the UK, US, and EU during the same year.
However, public concern over the safety of Boeing 737 airplanes has been on the rise. In 2018, there were a total of 41 accidents, with 18 of them involving the Boeing 737. This was more than any other airplane model at the time. The grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets worldwide between March 2019 and November 2020 following two fatal crashes raised further questions about the aircraft’s safety.
Boeing 737 Incidents
The Boeing 737 Max jets were grounded after two fatal crashes – Lion Air Flight 610 in October 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 in March 2019. These tragedies were partially attributed to the aircrafts’ manoeuvring characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), designed to enhance stability. Following a thorough investigation and recertification process, regulatory bodies declared that Boeing 737 Max jets were safe to resume service after modifications were made to the design and software.
Although there have been production issues leading to delays and temporary halts in Boeing 737 Max series deliveries, no fatalities have occurred due to issues with other 737 models. Recent incidents, such as the Boeing 737 Transair flight and United Airlines emergency landing, have highlighted the importance of ensuring aircraft safety at all times.
Airlines Operating Boeing 737 Planes
Various airlines around the world operate Boeing 737 planes. According to Cirium Fleets Analyzer, some airlines with Boeing 737 Max 9 planes in their fleets include United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Copa Airlines, Aeromexico, Turkish Airlines, SCAT, Icelandair, Lion Air, and Flydubai. Additionally, Ryanair, TUI, and Jet2 have a significant number of Boeing 737 planes as part of their fleets.
Boeing’s Response
Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged mistakes made by the company regarding Boeing 737 planes in a meeting with employees. Following incidents like the blow-off of a cabin panel on a 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight, Boeing emphasized transparency and cooperation with customers and regulatory authorities to address safety concerns.
In a statement to CNN, Boeing highlighted the safety record of the 737 MAX family, emphasizing that these planes are used by over 80 airlines worldwide to transport hundreds of thousands of passengers safely every day.
In Conclusion
Flying on a Boeing 737 can be a safe experience due to the rigorous safety standards and ongoing improvements in aircraft design and technology. While incidents have occurred in the past, the aviation industry continuously works to enhance safety measures and ensure passenger well-being. Airlines and aircraft manufacturers remain committed to delivering secure and reliable air travel for passengers worldwide.