Air travel is the backbone of global connectivity, carrying more than 4.5 billion passengers annually. It is also statistically the safest mode of long-distance transportation. Still, every crash makes international headlines, and certain airlines have historically recorded more incidents than others.
The concrete answer: Based on documented crash data up to September 2023, American Airlines and Air France share the highest number of crashes, with 11 each. They are followed by China Airlines and Korean Air with 9 crashes apiece, and Pakistan International Airlines with 8.
However, context matters – many crashes occurred decades ago, before modern safety regulations were in place, and some incidents (such as those during September 11, 2001) were not due to operational failures according to IATA.
Airlines With the Most Recorded Crashes
Some airlines on this list are among the worldโs largest and oldest, meaning their long operational histories partly explain the higher totals.
Rank
Airline
Number of Crashes
Notes
1
American Airlines
11
Two crashes occurred during the 9/11 terrorist attacks
1
Air France
11
Includes 2009 Flight 447, a major transatlantic tragedy
2
China Airlines
9
Multiple fatal incidents in the 1990s and early 2000s
2
Korean Air
9
Safety record has improved significantly since 2000
3
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
8
Continues to face scrutiny over safety management
4
United Airlines
7
Two 9/11 crashes included
5
EgyptAir
6
Flight 990 (1999) remains controversial
5
Ethiopian Airlines
6
Includes the 2019 Boeing 737 MAX crash
5
Thai Airways
6
Several fatal crashes in the 1980sโ90s
6
American Eagle (regional)
5
Operates under American Airlines branding
6
Continental Airlines (merged with United)
5
Merged in 2012, the total adds to Unitedโs history
6
Lufthansa
5
Strong overall safety record despite early incidents
Deadliest Crashes From Major Airlines
While not every crash results in fatalities, some events have left a permanent mark on aviation safety:
Aviation Safety in 2024โ2025
Despite the public attention that every aviation accident receives, the broader reality is that commercial air travel continues to be one of the safest ways to move across long distances.
Modern aircraft technology, stringent regulatory oversight, and comprehensive pilot training programs have all contributed to making accidents increasingly rare, particularly when measured against the sheer number of flights operated each year.
The U.S. Aviation Record in 2024
View this post on Instagram
According to CNN, the United States recorded 1,417 aircraft accidents in 2024. While that figure may sound alarming at first glance, it is critical to understand what it represents.
The overwhelming majority of these incidents involved general aviation – small private planes, training flights, and personal aircraft that make up the bulk of registered aircraft in the U.S. In contrast, only a small fraction of the total involved commercial passenger airlines.
The difference is significant: while general aviation accidents remain a persistent challenge, commercial airline crashes are rare due to stricter regulations, advanced maintenance programs, and professional pilot standards.
Global Aviation Performance in 2024
On a global scale, the numbers reinforce this sense of safety. Out of 40.6 million commercial flights operated worldwide in 2024, only 7 fatal crashes were recorded, resulting in 244 deaths.
To put this in perspective, that means fewer than one fatal crash per six million flights – a safety rate unmatched by nearly any other mode of transportation according to EASA. These rare tragedies, while devastating, represent statistical anomalies in an industry that successfully moves billions of passengers annually.
2025: A Tragic Start in the U.S.
The year 2025 has already underscored the ongoing challenges of aviation safety despite its overall progress. By April, the U.S. reported 153 aircraft accidents, with 23 resulting in fatalities.
The most notable event occurred on January 29, 2025, when an American Eagle regional jet operating under the American Airlines brand collided mid-air with a military aircraft near Washington, D.C. The crash claimed 67 lives, making it one of the deadliest U.S. aviation events in recent memory.
This incident has already sparked renewed debate within the aviation community and among regulators.
Key questions have been raised about the effectiveness of current air traffic control systems, the adequacy of pilot training protocols for high-stress scenarios, and whether existing safety management systems are robust enough to prevent such rare but catastrophic collisions.
The investigation by the NTSB and Department of Defense is expected to provide insights that could shape new safety requirements in the years to come.
What These Numbers Mean
While the statistics for 2024 and early 2025 include some tragic events, they must be weighed against the staggering scale of aviation. With tens of millions of flights occurring each year, the chance of being involved in a fatal commercial airline accident remains extraordinarily low.
Experts at MIT and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) calculate that a person would need to fly daily for tens of thousands of years to face the statistical likelihood of being in a fatal crash.
The broader conclusion is clear: aviation is safer than ever, but not without risk. Each accident, particularly major ones like the January 2025 collision, provides an opportunity for regulators, airlines, and manufacturers to review procedures, improve technology, and further strengthen an already robust safety culture.
Comparing Accident Types
Itโs important to distinguish between different aviation operations.
Type of Aircraft Operation
Share of All Accidents
Share of Fatal Accidents
Personal/General Aviation (e.g., single-engine planes)
~80%
~72%
Commercial Passenger Airlines
<15%
<20%
Cargo/Other Operations
Remaining
Remaining
Most crashes people read about in the news involve private planes, not commercial jets. This distinction is crucial: while the word โplane crashโ often sparks fear of airline disasters, the majority of accidents occur in non-commercial aviation.
Why Some Airlines Have Recorded More Crashes
The number of crashes attributed to an airline does not always reflect how safe it is today. Several factors explain why certain carriers – especially large, long-established ones – appear at the top of historical crash lists.
Longer Operating Histories
Airlines such as American Airlines and Air France have been operating for nearly a century. With millions of flights across decades, their long service histories naturally increase the chances of being involved in accidents compared to younger or smaller carriers.
The higher totals often say more about longevity and traffic volume than about ongoing safety concerns.
Older Safety Standards
Many of the incidents recorded by major airlines occurred during earlier eras of aviation, when cockpit technology, weather radar, and navigation tools were far less advanced.
Before the introduction of terrain awareness systems, digital flight data monitoring, and modern pilot training programs, accident rates were significantly higher across the entire industry.
Todayโs safety environment makes those older patterns much less likely to repeat.
Regional Safety Variations
Geography and regulatory oversight also matter. Airlines operating in countries with less robust aviation infrastructure, weaker regulatory bodies, or limited safety training resources have historically experienced more accidents.
In contrast, carriers based in North America and Europe, where oversight agencies like the FAA and EASA enforce strict rules, generally maintain stronger safety records.
Mergers and Subsidiaries
Crash statistics can also be skewed by mergers and airline groups. For example, United Airlinesโ accident record includes crashes from Continental Airlines, which it merged with in 2012.
Similarly, American Airlinesโ totals rise when accidents involving American Eagle, its regional partner, are counted. These combined histories can make an airlineโs crash record appear larger than its direct operational history.
Factors That Influence Aviation Safety Today
Modern aviation safety has improved dramatically compared to earlier decades, thanks to advances in technology, stricter oversight, and better training. Still, certain core factors continue to shape accident trends and public perception.
Pilot Error
Human error remains a contributing factor in some crashes, but its role has been greatly reduced by new approaches to pilot training. Crew Resource Management (CRM), developed in the late 20th century, emphasizes teamwork, communication, and decision-making under pressure.
These practices have drastically lowered the likelihood that a single mistake leads to disaster.
Aircraft Technology
Todayโs commercial aircraft are equipped with powerful safety systems that were not available in earlier eras. Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) alert pilots to potential mid-air conflicts, while Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) help avoid terrain accidents.
Satellite-based navigation and communication now allow precise tracking of aircraft even in remote regions, further reducing risks.
Regulatory Oversight
International oversight plays a crucial role in aviation safety. Agencies like the FAA in the United States, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) set and enforce rigorous global standards.
Regular inspections, mandatory reporting, and continuous safety audits ensure that airlines maintain compliance across all aspects of operations, from pilot training to aircraft maintenance.
Public Perception vs. Reality
Despite the improvements, aviation accidents continue to capture headlines and stir fear, often out of proportion to the actual risk. Statistically, commercial aviation is extraordinarily safe.
As MIT statistics professor Arnold Barnett famously noted, a person would need to fly once a day for 55,000 years before facing the odds of being in a fatal crash. By comparison, everyday risks such as driving are far more dangerous but attract less attention.
Bottom Line
@jacobmhoff Follow and Share! @Samantha Wynn Greenstone #airplane #flying โฌ original sound – Jacob Hoff
While American Airlines and Air France top the list with 11 crashes each, crash statistics must be read in context.
Most major carriers have significantly improved their safety performance, and aviation today is safer than ever. In fact, despite isolated tragedies, 2024 saw only 7 fatal crashes out of more than 40 million flights worldwide.
Florida continues to dominate US population growth, and that surge places additional demand on both regional airports and national carriers.
For passengers, the key takeaway is simple: commercial aviation remains one of the safest forms of travel ever created, thanks to continuous improvements in technology, regulation, and pilot training.