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Every year, several thousand people die or get injured in airline accidents. Traveling on a commercial airline is not as safe as you would like to believe. On average 1,000 to 2,000 people die, and roughly 2,000 to 5,000 are injured every year since the 1930’s, as regular as clockwork.

Many airline incidents are now so common that they don’t make the news. So called ‘minor’ incidents involving just one or two fatalities and injuries often go unreported in the press. Unless you personally experience or witness an airline accident, you can easily go through life with an impression that plane crashes just never happen.

One surprising fact is that ninety four percent of plane accidents happen on take off and landing. This accounts for about 88 percent of fatalities (figures for injuries are usually not recorded). The other four percent of plane accidents happen while the plane is cruising, which accounts for about 12 percent of fatalities. Source: the ‘Statistical Summary of Commercial Jet Airplane Accidents, Boeing’.

Another more surprising fact is that pilot and flight-crew account for over 60% of all fatal airline incidents. Here we are talking about regular commercial airlines, without including military aircraft, private planes, executive jets, etc. Source: the website Air Crash Info.

Since the 1930’s, when air crash figures first started to be collected, the rate of airline accidents and fatalities has been surprisingly steady. In other words, the percentage of accidents and deaths (per 100 passengers or per 100 journeys) is on average about the same every year. Thus, in spite of modern technology, the percentage of fatalities and accidents in airline passengers continues unabated.

What then are the chances of an airline passenger becoming involved in a serious plane crash? Figures going back to 1988 (OAG Back Aviation Solutions & Plane Crash Info accident database, 1988 - 2007) show the following:

The chances of being on an airline flight which results in at least one fatality are about 1 in 3.3 million. This assumes that on average you travel on a mix of different airlines (not just the airlines with the safest records). Another factor is that many of these plane accidents (about 1 in 4) produces a mix of people who die and people who survive, albeit injured. Such injuries are often life-long (and life destroying).

A comparison between car travel and air travel is difficult because accident rates vary wildly between countries. In the USA, for instance, there are roughly 6 million car accidents a year which results in about 40,000 fatalities a year.

Air travel statistics show that when you compare numbers of journeys taken (rather than mileage traveled) you are 12 times more likely to be involved in a fatal plane incident compared to a fatal car incident. In other words, air travel is much more dangerous than car travel (sources: ‘Air Travel Safety Secrets’ and ‘The Tombstone Imperative’).

You might well ask: is there anything one can do to avoid or minimize the risk of injury and death when you fly? Fortunately, the answer is a firm yes. There are some simple things that an airline passenger can do to greatly increase the chances of surviving an airline calamity without injury. Please see below for more information.

Here is a great list of tips for trouble-free air travel. An air trip can easily be ruined from just one small thing going wrong. Use these tips as a useful checklist whether you fly frequently or just occasionally.

Make sure your passport is not about to expire. Most people never think of this until it’s too late. It needs to be valid for at least six months beyond your return dates of travel. Some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months or you may be refused entry.

It is important to decide what you will be taking as onboard hand luggage and what you will be consigning separately. Do this several days before you travel as it could affect what luggage bags you take. It could also affect your air ticket booking, particularly if booking online. Check that you know what luggage restrictions may apply.

Confirm flight times and dates for all portions of your trip to make sure that it matches up with your information.

Make a copy of your air travel itinerary and your passport photo page, and leave copies with your key contacts (workplace, family, travel agent or friend). This can be useful in case you suffer a mishap or in case you need to be contacted urgently. Remember to include telephone numbers and addresses of where you can be contacted during your trip.

When traveling internationally you may need a visa. This can be a business visa or tourist visa. Make sure you get the correct visa for your purpose.

Make photocopies of your passport, visas and any other pertinent travel documents. Pack copies in your luggage as a contingency in case your original documents are lost or stolen.

Take a copy of your medical history with you in case of a medical requerement. This simply means listing any medical conditions, blood type, etc. If you are allergic to any medications, or have special medical needs, include this information. When traveling internationally try to have this document translated to the local language of travel.

If traveling abroad here is a great tip: prepare a list of key phrases written in the local language such as thank you, please, where is, help, how much, and so on. You just need a small piece of paper showing a dozen or so key phrases.

Theft is always a concern at airports, but also on flights. Never leave valuables on or near your airline seat - take them with you if you leave your seat.

Constantly be aware of your surroundings while in the airport. Many thieves go to airport specifically to steal.

For the latest tips relating to the air trip itself, see Air Travel Safety Secrets (see contact details below). This free ebook reveals air travel information that airlines don’t tell you. Anybody traveling by air should see this ebook.