As midterms are in full swing, Fordham University students are eagerly awaiting Spring Break, as the university will close on March 15 and re-open March 23. Many are booking flights to visit family or travel with their friends across the country or even internationally. However, an important question arises: Is it still safe to travel across the United States?
I’ve personally started having some doubts as airline incidents started to appear in the news more and more often. Since January of 2025, several aviation incidents have occurred, raising concerns about air travel safety. These incidents include a crash between a military helicopter and a passenger aircraft in Washington, D.C., a collision between two planes at the Seattle International Airport and a recent Delta crash in Toronto on Feb. 17. Videos of the Toronto crash, showing the plane on fire and flipped upside down, went viral on TikTok and made me quite concerned about the possibility of flying in the near future. However, as Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy has reassured the public recently, stating that the U.S. has “the safest airspace in the world,” I am still not convinced that is true.
I have been traveling by plane ever since I can remember. Even last year alone, while studying abroad in London, I went on around 30 flights, and I have never felt scared of flying. However, with the recent incidents, I needed to think twice before booking my trip to Miami this spring break, especially since, as an international student, I do not travel a lot around the U.S.
It was important to me to put things into perspective and think logically. I started thinking about how aviation safety standards are constantly evolving, with rigorous inspections, advanced technology and highly trained personnel working in the airports 24/7 to ensure passenger safety. Everyday, airports and airlines enforce strict safety regulations to protect passengers and crew, making air travel one of the safest ways to get around. Moreover, while most tragic or unusual accidents capture public attention and make people post on TikTok about them, the majority of flights operate without any issues.
To reassure myself, I needed to remember that accidents can happen anywhere at any time — whether driving, walking to class or taking a subway ride to the city. According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, air travel remains safer than driving. From 2002 to 2022, fewer people were injured or killed in airplane accidents compared to car and truck crashes.
For Fordham students traveling during spring break just like me, staying informed is crucial. Checking airline safety records, keeping up with travel updates and following safety guidelines — such as reading the safety card and listening to flight attendants — can help ensure a safe trip. Additionally, purchasing travel insurance (which I regret not doing) can provide peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations or emergencies.
Despite recent incidents, flying still remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Ultimately, choosing how and where to travel is a personal decision, and it is important to remember that every form of transportation carries some level of risk. However, that shouldn’t take away from anyone enjoying their spring break plans. It will definitely not stop me, as my Miami trip is fully booked and non-refundable. Fordham students stay safe, plan your trips wisely and most importantly, have an amazing spring break once you are done with your midterms!
Malgorzata Gorska, FCRH’26, is a marketing major from Poznan, Poland.
