Fourteen percent of frequent travelers in the U.S. have canceled their plans entirely due to growing concerns about flying, according to new data published by Coventry Direct.
In a survey of more than 3,400 people across 48 states, the report on Americans’ travel anxiety found that nearly half (47%) believe that flying is less safe than it was five years ago. Two-thirds of travelers (66%) would pay more for a flight with an airline with a perfect safety record.
The study, conducted in the first two weeks of April 2025, found that 75% of travelers say recent media coverage of plane crashes has made them more fearful, and 66% say layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration have had the same effect. More than one-quarter (28%) say they are not confident the FAA can keep air travel safe today.
When asked what would make them feel safer, 62% of respondents said they want more information about plane maintenance and safety procedures, and 48% said increased government oversight would help ease their concerns. “These responses suggest a growing trust gap between travelers and the systems that govern air travel,” Coventry Direct noted.
Generally speaking, nearly three in 10 travelers say they have a fear of flying. The average traveler rated their fear of flying at a 4.6 out of 10 today, up from 3.2 out of 10 last year.
