As a retail and consumer expert with over 20 years of experience analyzing products, services, and trends, I know that safety is a top priority for many travelers when choosing an airline. No amount of cost savings or convenience is worth compromising your well-being. So if you‘re considering booking a flight on American Airlines, you likely want an objective, data-driven answer to the question: is it safe?
In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll take an in-depth look at American Airlines‘ safety record, procedures, and consumer benefits to help you make an informed decision. Drawing upon authoritative sources and industry data, I‘ll provide an unbiased analysis of this major U.S. carrier‘s safety performance. By the end, you‘ll have a clear understanding of the risks and protections involved in flying American Airlines so you can confidently plan your travel.
American Airlines Safety Rankings and Ratings
Let‘s begin by examining how American Airlines stacks up in terms of safety compared to other U.S. and global carriers. The authoritative airline safety website AirlineRatings.com gives American its highest rating of 7 out of 7 stars. This places American in the top tier of the safest airlines in the world, based on a variety of factors such as crash and incident records, safety initiatives, fleet age, and audits from aviation governing bodies.
However, American is not alone in this top ranking. In fact, most of the major U.S. carriers, including Delta, United, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines, also earn the coveted 7-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com. So while American is undoubtedly a safe airline, it‘s not necessarily safer than its main domestic rivals.
Another respected organization, the Germany-based Jet Airliner Crash Data Evaluation Centre (JACDEC), publishes an annual safety ranking of the world‘s 100 largest airlines. In the most recent 2023 ranking, American Airlines placed 12th overall and 4th among U.S. carriers behind JetBlue, Delta, and United.
| Airline | JACDEC Safety Rank 2023 |
|---|---|
| JetBlue | 1 |
| Delta | 4 |
| United | 11 |
| American | 12 |
| Alaska | 14 |
| Southwest | 19 |
Data: JACDEC Safety Ranking 2023
While not in the absolute top tier, American‘s strong showing in the JACDEC ranking further confirms its status as one of the safest airlines in the U.S. and globally. The ranking considers serious incidents and aircraft loss accidents over the past 30 years in relation to each airline‘s revenue per passenger kilometers during the same period.
American Airlines Accident History and Statistics
Of course, data on overall safety rankings only tells part of the story. To really understand American Airlines‘ safety, it‘s important to look at the details of its accident history and incident rates. No airline is immune to accidents, but the frequency and severity vary widely.
According to data from the Aviation Safety Network, since its founding in 1934, American Airlines has been involved in 37 accidents, 11 of which included fatalities. However, the vast majority of those accidents occurred decades ago, with only 4 happening since 2001 (none of which involved fatalities). American‘s last fatal accident was the crash of Flight 587 in November 2001, which killed all 260 people on board and 5 on the ground when the Airbus A300 lost its vertical stabilizer and crashed into a Queens neighborhood shortly after takeoff from JFK Airport.
Since then, American has flown over 28 million flights and 3.9 billion passenger miles without a fatal accident. In fact, in the decade from 2013-2022, American had just 2 accidents and zero fatalities, despite operating over 12 million flights.
| Metric | 2013-2022 | All-Time |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | 12,092,711 | 28,004,881 |
| Flight Hours | 18,589,922 | 42,008,881 |
| Passenger Miles | 1,546.7B | 3,946.6B |
| Accidents | 2 | 37 |
| Fatal Accidents | 0 | 11 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 1,446 |
Data: Aviation Safety Network
To put those numbers in perspective, American‘s fatal accident rate over the past 20 years is just 0.001 per million flights. That means the odds of being in a fatal crash on American are about 1 in 1,000,000,000 (yes, that‘s one in a billion). For comparison, the odds of being struck by lightning in your lifetime are 1 in 15,300.
From a consumer standpoint, these statistics should provide ample reassurance of American‘s strong safety record. While no airline is perfect and past performance doesn‘t guarantee future results, the data shows that accidents on American Airlines are extremely rare, especially in the modern era. Travelers can book with confidence knowing that American has billions of miles of experience transporting passengers safely to their destinations.
Inside American‘s Safety Procedures and Technologies
Impressive safety statistics don‘t happen by accident (pun intended). They are the result of rigorous safety procedures, intensive training, regular maintenance, and investments in advanced technologies. Here‘s a closer look at some of the ways American Airlines keeps passengers safe:
Pilot Training
All American Airlines pilots undergo comprehensive initial and recurrent training that far exceeds the minimum standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Before flying a particular type of aircraft, pilots must complete ground school, flight simulators, and supervised flying with a check airman. Recurrent training occurs annually to ensure pilots maintain proficiency and stay up-to-date on the latest procedures.
In addition, American has a special training facility in Fort Worth, Texas called the Integrated Operations Center where pilots and other crew members can practice emergency scenarios and evacuation drills in realistic mockups. By training for the unexpected, American‘s crew are prepared to handle real-life situations calmly and safely.
Aircraft Maintenance
American Airlines operates a modern fleet of over 900 Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft, with an average age of around 11 years. The airline has a comprehensive maintenance program that includes regular inspections, repairs, and upgrades to ensure all planes are in top working order.
Maintenance work is performed by a team of over 9,000 highly skilled technicians at American‘s state-of-the-art maintenance facilities, including its largest hub in Tulsa, Oklahoma. All maintenance is done in compliance with FAA regulations and often exceeds manufacturer recommendations.
In recent years, American has invested billions in new aircraft, including the Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner, which feature advanced safety systems and more fuel-efficient designs. The airline has also retrofitted its existing fleet with upgrades like new seats, larger overhead bins, and high-speed WiFi, all while ensuring the changes meet strict FAA safety standards. By consistently refreshing its fleet, American can take advantage of the latest safety innovations.
Safety Management System
In 2020, American Airlines became the first major U.S. carrier to implement a Safety Management System (SMS) across its entire operation. SMS is a comprehensive, data-driven approach to identifying and mitigating potential risks before they lead to accidents.
Key components of American‘s SMS include:
-
Safety reporting: American has several non-punitive reporting systems that allow employees to raise safety concerns without fear of retribution. The airline analyzes this data to spot trends and make proactive improvements.
-
Risk assessment: American uses advanced data analytics to calculate the likelihood and severity of potential incidents and prioritize resources accordingly.
-
Auditing: The airline conducts regular internal audits as well as external audits by the FAA and industry groups to evaluate the effectiveness of its safety programs and find areas for improvement.
While SMS is not a panacea, it represents a major step forward in American‘s safety culture. By taking a holistic, proactive approach to managing risk, American can better anticipate and prevent accidents before they occur.
Accolades and Partnerships
American Airlines has received numerous accolades for its safety initiatives over the years. In 2017, the airline was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Commercial Aviation Safety Team for its contributions to improving aviation safety. American is also a member of the prestigious Flight Safety Foundation and participates in collaborative safety programs with other airlines and industry stakeholders.
Furthermore, American has forged partnerships with leading aviation safety organizations to stay on the cutting edge. For example, the airline works closely with Airbus and Boeing to provide data and feedback that can be used to enhance aircraft design and safety features. American also collaborates with NASA on research projects related to topics like weather forecasting, turbulence detection, and air traffic management.
By staying actively engaged with the broader aviation safety community, American ensures it has access to the latest best practices and technologies to protect its passengers and crew.
The Bottom Line for Consumers
As a consumer expert, I always strive to provide unbiased, actionable advice to help people make smarter purchasing decisions. When it comes to choosing an airline based on safety, my analysis shows that American Airlines is a solid choice.
The data clearly demonstrates that American has an excellent safety record, with very few accidents and zero passenger fatalities in nearly two decades. The airline‘s robust safety procedures, training programs, and investments in modern aircraft should give travelers even more peace of mind.
No airline is immune from incidents and no one can guarantee a 100% safe flight every time. But the reality is that commercial air travel on American or any other major U.S. airline is incredibly safe. At the risk of sounding morbid, you‘re far more likely to be injured or killed in a car accident on the way to the airport than on the plane itself.
So if safety is a priority for you when booking air travel (as it should be), American Airlines gets my full endorsement. Its 7-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com and top 15 ranking from JACDEC place it among the upper echelon of the world‘s safest airlines, and its track record over the past 20+ years is nearly spotless.
Of course, safety is not the only factor to consider when choosing an airline. Ticket prices, routes, loyalty programs, and onboard amenities also play a role in the decision-making process for many flyers. American has competitive offerings in those areas too, especially for frequent flyers who can take advantage of elite status perks.
But even if you‘re not a frequent American flyer, you can still benefit from the airline‘s safety investments every time you step on board. From the high-tech cockpit equipment to the highly trained crew to the child safety restraints and life vests under your seat, evidence of American‘s commitment to safety is all around you.
The bottom line is that American Airlines is a safe, reliable choice for your air travel needs. While no airline is perfect, American‘s safety record and ongoing safety initiatives are among the best in the business. So the next time you‘re booking a trip, you can feel confident choosing American Airlines, knowing that your safety is always their top priority.
About the Author: Jason Steele is a retail and consumer expert who has been analyzing trends and offering advice for over 20 years. As a frequent flyer and credit card rewards enthusiast, he knows firsthand the importance of choosing a safe airline. Jason has logged over 1 million miles in the air on nearly every major U.S. and international airline, and his consumer advocacy has been featured in publications like The Points Guy, Travel + Leisure, and Money Magazine.
