The skies have always been a place of wonder and awe, but also a source of anxiety for many. While some travelers perform rituals like touching the airplane’s exterior or praying to quell their fears, recent incidents involving Boeing aircraft have escalated concerns to new heights, leading to a significant shift in travel behavior.
Leila Amineddoleh, an art lawyer from Hoboken, New Jersey, encapsulates this sentiment. Despite acknowledging the slim chance of danger, she admits, “I just can’t step on that plane.” Her concerns are shared by others who have been rattled by a series of quality control incidents, including a door panel blowout on a Boeing 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Amineddoleh has since opted for Airbus flights, even at the cost of convenience, underscoring that her family’s safety trumps all.
The aviation industry prides itself on safety, with aviation-related deaths and injuries at near all-time lows. Yet, the string of unsettling events involving Boeing planes has left some passengers unconvinced. From engine flames on a United Airlines Boeing 737-900 to a tire detachment on a Boeing 777, these episodes have fueled a growing hesitancy among flyers.
Boeing’s response to the concerns has been muted, with the company emphasizing its commitment to action and transparency. Airlines, too, have reiterated their dedication to safety, with CEOs from Alaska Airlines and United Airlines addressing recent incidents directly. However, the impact on consumer confidence is palpable.
Travel search engines like Kayak have noted an uptick in users seeking to filter out Boeing models from their flight options. While the numbers remain small, the increase is telling of a wary public. Ed Pierson, of The Foundation for Aviation Safety, sees a silver lining in consumers becoming more informed, yet laments that such vigilance is necessary.
The reality of airline operations, where last-minute aircraft substitutions are common, means that avoiding Boeing planes entirely can be challenging. With Airbus and Embraer as the primary alternatives, some travelers have found solace in airlines like Spirit and JetBlue, which do not operate Boeing aircraft. Conversely, loyalists to carriers like Southwest, with its all-Boeing 737 fleet, face a dilemma.
Stephanie Walls, an IT project manager from Houston, is one such anxious flyer who has taken proactive steps to switch to Airbus flights. Her story, along with that of Adrian Rojas, a communications consultant who avoids the Boeing Max series for his peace of mind, illustrates the lengths to which individuals will go to mitigate their fears.
Even confident flyers like Leonyce Moses, a frequent traveler from Richmond, Virginia, are not immune to the unease. Moses willingly paid extra to switch to an Airbus flight, stating, “it was worth it for my safety.”
While extreme fear of flying, known as aerophobia or aviophobia, is rare, a significant portion of the population experiences some level of anxiety about flying. Elizabeth Austin, an assistant professor of psychiatry, advocates for cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy as effective treatments. She supports those who choose to fly on different aircraft, provided they maintain a realistic perspective on the inherent safety of air travel.
For now, flyers like Amineddoleh are steering clear of Boeing, with hopes that future changes will restore their confidence. Until then, the skies will be navigated with a heightened sense of caution, as travelers prioritize their well-being over brand loyalty. The journey to reclaiming the joy of flight continues, one booking at a time.
