The Boeing 737 MAX's accident rate has varied significantly throughout its service history. Early data from the time of its grounding showed an exceptionally high fatal crash rate, but since its return to service, its dispatch reliability has matched or exceeded other modern aircraft like the A320neo.
All passengers and crew died when two 737 Max jetliners went down less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 — a Lion Air flight that plunged into the sea off the coast of Indonesia and an Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed into a field after taking off from Addis Ababa.
In November 2020, the FAA announced that it had cleared the 737 MAX to return to service. Various system, maintenance and training requirements are stipulated, as well as design changes that must be implemented on each aircraft before the FAA issues an airworthiness certificate, without delegation to Boeing.
It's completely understandable to feel nervous, especially with recent news, but the aircraft itself is now considered very safe by global aviation authorities. Your feelings are valid, but there is no real danger in flying a 737 Max.
Based on data from the Aviation Safety Network, ICAO, and AirlineRatings.com, these airlines have the highest accident counts since 1970:
Based on safety ratings, incident history, and audits from sources like AirlineRatings.com and ICAO, the following airlines have concerning records:
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian has been flying planes since 1929 and never once had a fatal accident, making it, if our stats stand up, the longest functioning carrier to have never lost a passenger. It may have suffered two bankruptcies (1993 and 2003) but it has not compromised on safety.
With decades-long service history, the Boeing 717 is a narrowbody airliner used by several airlines today and maintains a perfect safety record. The airliner has over a million take-offs throughout its lifespan and has only been involved in six minor incidents, none of which resulted in fatalities.
At first glance, they look similar, but here's what sets them apart: 🔹 Engines – The 737 MAX 8 has larger, more fuel- efficient LEAP-1B engines with serrated edges (chevrons), while the 737-800 uses smaller CFM56-7B engines.
Some nervous travelers are changing their flights to avoid Boeing airplanes. Incidents involving Boeing aircraft have set back passengers who had overcome their fear of flying. "I am not willing to take that risk," one said.
On the Boeing 737 MAX 8, 12A and 12F are the ones to avoid. We also find this problem with easyJet. If you're flying on their Airbus A320, seat 31A is the one to avoid; 31F might also not have a window, depending on the layout. Unfortunately, you can also encounter this problem on long-haul flights.
The aircraft used by Singapore Airlines is a 737 MAX 8 aircraft registered as 9V-MBC. The aircraft is 3.97 years old, having first flown on December 6th, 2017.
Boeing's 2024–2025 Project Delays: Impact and Key Numbers
Boeing's goal in 2025 was to deliver 610 aircraft, but the company is now expected to deliver only 530, a shortfall of nearly 80 units. This downgrade stems from disruptions in the supply chain and persistent production challenges.
In contrast, the original Boeing 737 models, which were in service for 12-13 years, account for approximately 63% of all fatal accidents in the 737 series.
🛫 What Makes the 737 MAX Controversial? The Boeing 737 MAX was grounded globally in 2019 following two accidents linked to a flight control system known as MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System).
On this day August 16 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 154 of the 155 people on board and two on the ground. The sole survivor was 4 year old Cecelia Cichan, whose rescue became one of the most remarkable survival stories in aviation history.
Yes, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 is considered safe by global aviation regulators, having been re-certified after significant software and design fixes, mandatory pilot training updates, and extensive testing, though some passengers still choose to avoid it for personal peace of mind. The fixes addressed the MCAS software, ensuring pilots have ultimate control and the system activates less frequently with more reliable sensor data, making it safer than before, according to Boeing and Singapore Airlines.
All 802 of Southwest's planes are some kind of 737 model. At least half of the planes in the current fleets for American Airlines, United, and Alaska Airlines are made by Boeing. There are five major airlines that do not have any Boeing planes in their fleets: JetBlue, Spirit, Frontier, and Breeze.
Based on safety statistics on fatal accidents per flight, yes, the NG planes /800 and /900 models are extremely safe. The Boeing 737 Max has the burden of carrying two fatal accidents on a relatively new plane with only a few thousand flights in a couple of years.
After manufacturing issues led to two incidents in 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX was grounded across the world.
There's no definitive answer—it depends on the pilot's personality, training, and priorities. Some pilots may find Airbus's side-stick and automation more comfortable, while others may prefer the tactile control and familiarity of Boeing's yoke. Both designs represent decades of innovation and safety-first thinking.
It was found that Boeing had more accidents than expected, while Airbus had fewer (p 0.015). In terms of fatalities, Boeing had more than expected, with Airbus fewer (p < 0.001). Looking at accidents alone, only the number of fatalities was statistically significantly different.
Yes, Qantas has had fatal crashes, but only in its early days with propeller-driven aircraft before 1951; the airline has an excellent safety record with no fatalities in its modern jet age operations, a fact often highlighted by the popular myth that "Qantas never crashed," which became famous from the movie Rain Man.
On 3 August 2016, the aircraft, carrying 282 passengers and 18 crew, crashed while landing at Dubai International Airport.
EMB-145 has zero fatalities. Plenty of crashes tho. Impressive considering its service life is pretty much done, and mainly flown by many of us learning the ropes.