Recently, it’s been seen that passengers in a huge number are raising questions about the safety of air travel. Alaska Airlines also faced such questions due to a recent incident. But, does that incident really mean that flying with Alaska Airlines is not safe? Let’s explore the Alaska Airlines Safety Records and discuss what the airline has to ensure the passengers’ safety. But, before we move ahead to that part, let’s first learn about the recent incident that actually caused the airline safety hype.
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Explaining the Recent Incident With Alaska Airlines
On 5th January 2024, an Alaska Airlines flight (Boeing 737 Max 9) had an emergency landing at Portland Airport just after a few moments of take off. The flight was en route from Portland, United States to Ontario. The reason for the emergency landing was very rare and surprising. A cabin panel in the aircraft unexpectedly blew off, leaving a gaping hole in one side body of the aircraft. Due to this gaping hole, the pressure inside the aircraft starts reducing, leading pilots to initiate an emergency landing.
Although no casualties or crashes have been reported, this incident grabbed the attention of aviation authorities and passengers as well, causing the origin of fear and an insecurity of flying with Alaska Airlines.
What Caused Alaska Airlines Incident January 2024?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an inquiry right after the incident took place. However, no exact reason could be detected that caused the cabin panel to blow off. Some officials claimed a manufacturing defect in the cabin panel, leading the manufacturing company to make a statement. Before this incident and after 2000, Alaska Airlines Crash History is clean. In fact, this incident was also not a crash. There were minor incidents, but no fatal crash has been reported for the airline which demonstrates that the airline is very serious about the airline’s and its passengers’ safety.
What is Alaska Airlines Safety Record International and Domestic?
Let’s explore what is Alaska Airlines Safety Record International and Domestic in the below section. This will give you a fair idea of whether flying with Alaska is safe or not.
Alaska Airlines safety record international and domestic has been outstanding. In fact, this airline has been among the safest airlines in the world for the last five years. It has been named among the top 10 safest airlines in 2024 as well. This demonstrates the highest safety standards set by the airlines to avoid any sort of unwanted incidents.
Alaska Airlines Safety Assurance
Alaska Airlines is a respectable and trustworthy airline, not only in the US but also across the world. This Airline complies with strict safety guidelines and rules established by aviation authorities, just like any other big airline. Moreover, Alaska Airlines and other domestic airlines in the United States are subject to safety regulations that are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA audits and inspects facilities on a regular basis to make sure that safety rules are strictly being followed.
Furthermore, Alaska Airlines is a part of the (IATA), which establishes international safety guidelines and offers member airlines access to industry knowledge. Considering all these factors, it is not wrong to say that Alaska Airlines is safe to fly with. You can trust this airline for sure.
Note: It’s crucial to keep in mind that Alaska Airlines Safety Records may change over time due to various factors or incidents. It’s a good idea to always look up the latest news, data, and reviews to know the current safety standards of an airline.
Alaska Airlines Crash History
Since 2000, except for the recent incident on 5 January 2024, Alaska Airlines Crash History is clean. There has been no incident reported after the Pacific Ocean incident in January 2000. Some incidents involving Alaska Airlines are as follows:
Alaska Airlines Flight 60
A crash took place that involved an Alaska Airlines Flight 60 and American Airlines Boeing 727-81 on 5 April 1976. This crash led to the death of a passenger, 32 serious injuries, and 17 minor injuries.
Alaska Airlines Flight 261
A McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft of Alaska Airlines crashed into the Pacific Ocean in January 2000. This fatal crash led to the death of all 88 onboard including 2 pilots, 3 crew members, and 83 passengers.
Alaska Airlines Flight 779
A contract cargo Alaska Airlines Flight 779 crashed short of the runway, leading to the death of all six crew members on board. This incident took place on 21st July 1961.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
This recent incident took place on 5th January 2024. The details are mentioned above.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1866
On 4th September 1971, an Alaska Airlines Flight 1866 crashed into a mountain in Haines Borough, causing the death of all 111 people on board.
Alaska Airlines Flight 2059
This is another recent incident that took place on 22 October 2023. In this incident, an off-duty pilot attempted to deploy the engine fire suspension system to crash the aircraft. However, the crew members smartly prevented the crash and handed over the culprit to the authorities.
Note: All the above information is sourced from Wikipedia.
What Airline Has the Safest Record?
The safety record for a particular airline keeps changing and thereby determining what airline has the safest record is a bit complex. In a report published by CN Traveller, the likes of Air New Zealand, Qantas, Emirates, Etihad, and Virgin Australia recently top the table for the safest airlines in 2024. Alaska Airlines was the only US airline that found its place in the top 10 safest airlines. This is an incredible Alaska Airlines Safety Record, demonstrating and declaring this airline to be one of the safest airlines in the United States.
So, if you are looking for what airline has the safest record in the USA, it is Alaska Airlines only. Therefore, it is safe to fly with this prestigious airline.
Is Alaska Airlines a Good Airline?
Without a doubt, Alaska Airlines is a good airline to fly with. Whether you want to fly within the American continent or travel internationally, Alaska Airlines is one of the safest options to fly with. Moreover, its in-flight and on-ground services are exceptional. You can expect to have a wonderful traveling experience while having a trip with this airline.
Except for Alaska Airlines Safety Records, a few things depend on you as well. You might have some expectations or preferences that you may not get while having an air trip with Alaska Airlines. This is an exceptional factor. But, all in all, it is an excellent airline to have both domestic and international air tours.
