Fear of flying, known as aviophobia, is widespread. Many anxious passengers share the same concerns: Can turbulence bring down a plane? Can someone open the cabin door mid-flight? What if an engine fails? Are budget airlines less safe? To get expert answers, I spoke to Simon Tranter, a pilot with 18,000 flight hours over 17 years in the Royal Air Force and 25 years as a commercial pilot with British Airways, where he served as a training captain on B737 and A320 aircraft. He is now head of training at EmPower Flight. I also consulted Dan Bubb, a former commercial pilot who teaches aviation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Are Budget Airlines Less Safe?
Simon Tranter explained: "In aviation, the ticket price determines legroom and whether you get a free sandwich — it has zero bearing on safety. Every airline operating must adhere to the same stringent regulatory laws and safety standards. Budget airlines often fly younger fleets equipped with the newest safety technology. They save money on business models, not on maintenance or pilot training." Dan Bubb added: "Budget airlines are just as safe as more expensive ones. All pilots are trained to the same rigorous standard, whether they fly a 15-passenger Beech 99 or a 400-passenger Boeing 747."
Can Turbulence Crash a Plane?
Simon said: "Aircraft are engineered to withstand forces far greater than anything nature can produce. Higher turbulence can be uncomfortable, but generally it's like driving slowly over cobblestones. The main risk is spilling a drink if you don't have your seatbelt fastened."
Could a Passenger Open the Plane Door?
"It is physically impossible," Simon stated. "Aircraft doors are 'plug doors.' At 35,000 feet, cabin pressure seals the door shut with thousands of pounds of force. Even the strongest person with a crowbar couldn't open it in flight." Dan confirmed: "Passengers have tried, but they were unsuccessful."
Are Cabin Crew Trained to Hide Concern?
Dan said: "Crew are trained to handle emergencies with calm and discretion to avoid alarming passengers. Pilots and flight attendants remain calm even in stressful situations." Simon added: "Crew are safety professionals undergoing rigorous emergency training. If they look calm, it's because they are in control."
What If the Landing Gear Fails?
Simon explained: "We practice this in simulators. Aircraft have multiple backup systems. If hydraulics fail, we can use an alternate system or let gravity 'free-fall' the gear into place. In the extremely rare event of a complete jam, planes can land safely on their bellies. Fire crews may foam the runway, and the aircraft slides to a halt. It's survivable."
What Happens If an Engine Fails?
"Modern airliners have massive redundancy," Simon said. "If one engine fails, the aircraft can climb, cruise, and land on the remaining engine. Even if both engines fail — virtually unheard of — the plane becomes a large glider, covering 80 to 100 miles from cruising altitude, giving time to reach a runway." Dan experienced an engine failure on take-off while transporting passengers to the Grand Canyon: "We shut down the failed engine, declared an emergency, and landed on the good engine without any problem."
How Likely Is a Plane to Crash?
Simon noted: "Statistically, you are far safer in a commercial airliner than walking down the pavement or driving to the supermarket. IATA reports one fatal accident per 5.6 million flights (2021-2025). You'd have to fly every day for thousands of years to statistically encounter an accident." Dan added: "The chance of a crash is slim. You have much higher chances of a car accident on the way to the airport."
Why Turn Phones Off During Take-Off and Landing?
Simon explained: "Older phones could cause a harmless 'click-click-buzz' in pilots' headsets. The real reason is that take-off and landing are the most dynamic phases. We need you alert, not looking at a screen." Dan agreed: "Flight attendants enforce this regulation for safety."
Could a Passenger Break a Window?
Simon said: "No. Windows are made of tough, multi-layered aerospace acrylic. They withstand immense pressure. If an outer pane cracks, inner layers hold the cabin pressure." Dan noted a 2018 incident where an exploding engine broke a window, causing a fatality, but stressed it is extremely rare.
Is It Safe to Fly During a Storm or Lightning?
Simon said: "We don't fly through severe storms. Onboard weather radar lets us steer around them. If lightning strikes, the aircraft's skin acts as a Faraday cage, conducting electricity harmlessly. Passengers might hear a bang, but systems handle it." In 2019, a plane landing in Cardiff Airport from Ibiza was hit by lightning; it landed safely with no injuries.
Are Bird Strikes Dangerous?
Simon explained: "Most bird strikes occur at low altitudes and are harmless. Engines and structures are tested to ingest birds without catastrophic failure. We inspect the plane afterward." Dan referenced the Hudson River landing by Captain Sullenberger after a flock of geese destroyed both engines, acknowledging that bird strikes can be dangerous.
What If the Pilot Is Tired?
Simon said: "We have a strict fatigue reporting system. If a pilot feels unfit to fly, they declare themselves unfit, and a standby pilot is called in, no questions asked. There is no pressure to fly if not at 100%."
How Much Does a Computer Fly the Plane?
Simon described the autopilot as "like cruise control. It does the heavy lifting while pilots manage the flight. But the computer only does what we tell it. We manually fly during take-off and usually landing. Occasionally, autoland is used in extreme fog with special safeguards."
What Stops Pilots from Getting Distracted or Falling Asleep?
Simon said: "We have structured protocols: monitoring aircraft performance, fuel logs, weather reports, and communicating with air traffic control. On ultra-long-haul flights, an augmented crew allows pilots to take turns sleeping in bunk beds, ensuring fresh pilots at the controls."
Is Flying at Night More Dangerous?
Simon answered: "Not at all. At night, lights of other aircraft and runways stand out perfectly against the dark background."
Have You Ever Seen Another Plane Too Close?
Simon said: "Not in civil flying, but yes as an RAF fighter pilot. Commercial planes have TCAS (Traffic Collision Avoidance System) that automatically warns and instructs pilots to avoid collisions."
How Do You Become a Commercial Pilot?
Simon outlined: "It starts with strict medical clearance, ground school covering meteorology and aerodynamics, then training in small aircraft, progressing to twin-engine planes and simulators. After passing checks, pilots fly with a training captain until polished."
What's the Scariest Thing That Happened to You?
Simon said: "The most heart-rate-raising event in commercial aviation is a gusty crosswind landing near the maximum crosswind component. But after 44 years, it's just following procedure. When something unexpected happens, fear doesn't enter — your brain switches to training mode." Dan recalled his engine failure on take-off: "We shut down the failed engine, declared an emergency, and landed safely. Even though we appeared calm, adrenaline was pumping."
