New data show good news for panicky travelers: commercial flights in 2012 were safer than ever before. The Wall Street Journal published a large article detailing advances in flight safety and analyzing crash data, which shows that commercial flying is the safest it has been since the 1960s. In fact, there has not been a fatal crash in the United States since 2009.


The article stated that there have been 22 fatal crashes worldwide this year, with the majority occurring in Africa. In 2011, there were 28 fatal crashes. The ten-year average is 34 crashes, USA Today reported. The WSJ article came out just days before a crash near Moscow killed four, bringing the total for 2012 crashes to 23.

Still worried? The data also show that North American and North Asian carriers are the safest, with African and Caribbean carriers being the least safe.

We'd encourage all travelers to use basic safety precautions when traveling, choosing reputable airlines (i.e. not this one from North Korea) and following basic safety suggestions while in-flight, including wearing your seat belt when requested to do so. While a seat belt might not make the difference between life and death during a crash, it certainly can help prevent turbulence-related injuries.

Beyond that, we'd suggest that nervous travelers conduct simple in-seat meditation or deep breathing exercises while in flight, or perhaps enjoy a relaxing glass or wine or a sedative for something a bit stronger.

[Image Credit: Nick McKeta]

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