Aviation authorities call American air travel the safest in the world, the Times reported. But the safety record of our car-dependent ground transportation system is one of the worst among wealthy nations.

U.S. aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation in the world, with commercial scheduled airlines maintaining an extraordinary safety record. In 2026, the fatal accident rate for major U.S. carriers continues to hover at 0.0 per 100,000 flight hours, a trend that has largely persisted for over a decade. Statistically, the "lifetime odds" of dying as a passenger on a U.S. commercial flight are so low they are difficult to calculate, often cited as less than 1 in 11 million. By contrast, General Aviation (GA)—which includes private pilots, flight schools, and small corporate planes—carries a higher risk, with a 2026 fatal accident rate of approximately 0.47 per 100,000 hours. While this GA rate has significantly improved (down from 0.76 in recent years), it highlights the difference between highly regulated commercial airliners and private flying. The FAA continues to implement strict "NextGen" safety protocols and AI-driven monitoring to prevent mid-air collisions and ground incursions, ensuring that commercial flying remains the gold standard for travel safety.