It’s been a rough few years for Boeing’s reputation. First, there was the infamous Alaska Airlines incident in January 2024, when the door of a Boeing 737 flew out during the flight. Then, in June 2025, Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. So why are so many Boeing planes involved in accidents, when Boeing’s long-time rival Airbus planes are actually safer? Spoiler alert: There is no significant difference between the two manufacturers in terms of accident rates.
Boeing and Airbus have very similar safety records, according to a recent analysis of data provided by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and reported by transportation industry news site Jalopnik. The information examines accident rates for flights operating in the United States between 2014 and 2024.
Of course, it’s worth noting that aircraft manufacturers are not responsible for all in-flight incidents. Bad weather and bird strikes are the most common aircraft problems that lead to accidents. To properly consider the safety records of Boeing and Airbus, a focus must be placed on accidents caused by equipment failures or mechanical problems related to engines or landing gear. During the ten-year period in question, with six million flights per year, only two to six such accidents occurred between the two manufacturers. None of the incidents involved fatalities among passengers or crew.
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Boeing and Airbus planes are equally safe
Airport staff inspect the cargo hold of a Lufthansa Boeing 747 aircraft – Ceri Breeze/Getty Images
If Boeing and Airbus have virtually identical records for accident rates in U.S. airspace, why does the former seem to have a worse reputation? This is partly because Boeing operates significantly more flights than Airbus and therefore has more accidents in absolute terms. It’s worth noting that Jalopnik’s report adjusts data for flight numbers to more fairly compare the two manufacturers’ records.
Other factors also amplified Boeing’s bad reputation, including quality control problems that were widely reported in the media. As the NTSB acknowledged in a statement, a defective door jam produced at the Boeing factory that burst was the cause of the 2024 Alaska Airlines incident. There is also misinformation circulating. Last year, a chart comparing Boeing and Airbus “aviation incidents” circulated on LinkedIn and other social media sites, but it was later revealed that the data included incidents involving Boeing-made aircraft (World War II bombers, freighters, etc.) that were built decades before Airbus was founded. Needless to say, the information is biased and therefore the analysis is flawed.
The bottom line is clear: Boeing and Airbus planes are equally safe for travelers, and aircraft accidents remain extremely rare. Still worried about flying? Consider these expert tips, from deep breathing to chatting with a therapist, to help you feel safe in the air.
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