Fear of flying? The riskiest part of your flight is not at 40,000 feet, the answer will surprise you

Flying tens of thousands of feet above the ground may seem like the most perilous part of air travel, but according to aviation experts, it’s not the most dangerous phase of a flight.

Aviation safety has come under intense review following a series of disturbing incidents in recent weeks, prompting some anxious travelers to reconsider their flying plans. While commercial aviation remains one of the safest modes of transportation, recent events—including some with fatalities—underscore that risks still exist.

Pilots and aviation specialists note that the most hazardous moments in air travel occur during takeoff and landing, when the margin for error is significantly smaller. Some experts even argue that one of these phases is inherently riskier than the other.

Several of the recent accidents happened precisely during these critical stages, triggering investigations by both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States.

Aviation incidents spark public concern and financial strain on airlines

Over 20 major aircraft accidents have occurred in 2025, heighting public anxiety over air travel.

Just days after reports of engine trouble on a United Airlines flight from Houston to New York led to the emergency evacuation of all 104 passengers and five crew members, another tragic event occurred. A Learjet 35A—owned by Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil (fortunately, he was not aboard), overshot the runway while landing and collided with a Gulfstream commercial jet at Scottsdale Municipal Airport in Arizona. The crash resulted in the pilot’s death.

On Good Friday, a small airplane crashed into a river in Fremont, eastern Nebraska, killing three.

In the wake of these events, growing concerns over aviation safety have intensified public hesitation toward flying. Airlines, in turn, are feeling the financial impact as traveler confidence fluctuates.

Aviation Safety: which is the most dangerous - takeoff or landing?

As aviation safety comes under renewed scrutiny, concerns over air travel have reached lawmakers. “Some of us, who were constantly told that flying is the safest way to travel, are actually scared right now,” said Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) during a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) oversight hearing on March 26.

Despite recent incidents, aviation experts remain confident in the industry’s ability to adjust critical flight procedures based on lessons learned from accidents.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 1,468 aviation accidents were recorded in 2024—770 occurring during landing and 124 during takeoff.

CNN transportation analyst Mary Schiavo attributes the high accident rates in these phases to inherent dangers and the complex maneuvers required at airports. “Airports create much more stress for pilots, air traffic controllers, and aircraft,” Schiavo explained.

She argues that landings are riskier than takeoffs due to fewer escape options. “It’s a really critical moment, especially for midair collisions and other incidents,” Schiavo emphasized. “When you’re taking off, you have the runway in front of you. You see it clearly—although, sometimes, unauthorized aircraft enter the circuit and attempt to land over someone. But descent and landing are the most dangerous moments.”

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