Guide to Airline Safety

Airline safety should be your #1 concern whether you are a traveler, a bag checker, security, the mechanic, the pilot or the owner of the air fleet. Reading the airline safety cards and following all airline safety regulations will help the industry continue to provide a cost effect, time efficient mode of transportation the U.S. public as well as keep the passengers safe and prepared.

Airline safety ratings and airline safety programs are your means to be in the know about airline safety statistics and what to do in a dangerous situation.

To find out more about airline safety ratings and airline safety regulations:

1. Look at airline crash statistics.

2. Review airline safety standards.

3. Ask about or look into your preferred carrier’s airline safety program.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find airline safety statistics by topic

Look for fatal events by airline or by aircraft model. Look at turbulence issues or most recent crashes. Find airlines without fatal crashes, or find out other security information.

I recommend: Look to online resources like Airsafe.com or the Air Safety Records to find out the down and dirty facts on particular carriers and their airline safety information.

Look at airline safety accident rates

When you look at accident rates you are taking into account the number of flights, the number of fatal accidents, and sometimes the total number of fatalities in an accident.

I recommend: Look at the accident rates for major carriers from the last 20 years on PlaneCrashInfo.com. You can also check out statistics at AirDisaster.com.

Go to government resources for up-to-date airline safety information

Government entities like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) provide the public with air safety information. Many foreign governments look up to them for their aviation expertise.

I recommend: Check out the FAA’s aircraft safety record report. Take a look at the NTSB’s aviation accident database.

Purchase airline safety cards and other airline safety precautionary items

Safety items for your airline or aircraft can include anything from metal detectors at gateways, to safety cards on the plane, to seat belts or floatation device seats. Search out reputable dealers to stock your plane or fill your airline's needs.

I recommend: Find airline safety cards from retailers such as Cabin Safety International, Ltd. or Aero Safety Graphics, Inc. Check out aircraft seat belts from Aircraft Belts, Inc.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• If you have a fear about a particular airline or aviation issue, don't be afraid to look up the actual airline crash statistics on it or ask questions of your preferred carrier. Chances are your fears will not be supported by the data--flying in a plane is actually safer than setting foot in a car.

The official source of Airline Safety is the Airline Safety page at Business.com