Are bigger airplanes more dangerous?

Question

One of my friends commented that when traveling, always choose a smaller airplane as bigger airplanes carries much more fuel and covers longer distances thus increase the risk of accident, any truth in this?

I'll be traveling next month, should i transit and take smaller planes? ..

Answer 1

That's funny, since most people have the impression that smaller planes are less safe.  I don't agree.  If you are talking about airliners, and not small private planes, which I assume you by the way your question is worded.  Small and large really doesn't make a difference.  It's generally true that many of the smaller jets are much newer, and therefore safer than the older, larger ones.  Larger aircraft do carry more fuel, but that's because they go longer distances.  

It's pretty difficult to plan your trip by aircraft size anyway, unless you plan to charter a private jet.  Then you can get any aircraft you want.  If you are going on the airlines, they pretty much determine what aircraft flies which flights.  I suppose you could go at a different time and get a different plane, but usually it's the same size for a certain city.  Just don't worry about the size of the aircraft, as all of the US airlines are really safe.

Answer 2

bigger the saffer!

Answer 3

bigger planes are safer and better.

Answer 4

Also the biggest twin engine planes such as the Boeing 777 is even safer because of whats called ETOPS classification which is extended twin engine operations.   They have tighter rules on maintenance and parts due to the fact they only have 2 engines.  Another thing is the bigger planes usually run 3 of everything, 3 hydraulic systems, 3 electrical systems etc,  all 3 have to fail for something major to happen,  where as on the smaller planes, alot of them only run 2 systems, and get down to the smallest of planes, they only run 1

Answer 5

The most problems happen on landing and takeoff. The less times you do that the less risk you should have.

Answer 6

No!

Answer 7

Your friend is totally ignorant about aviation. Just remember that any aircraft which flies commercially has to be certified by the relevant authorities prior to being put in service. All aircraft are subjected to endless checks for safety. There is no discrimination between small and big aircraft. Each aircraft, unless 100% safe, cannot enter service. So put your mind at rest and go take whichever aircraft you wish. Your flight will be safe and pleasant.

Answer 8

Actually the bigger the safer. Small planes have a lot more accidents, They have only one pilot and less safety features.

Answer 9

Well...in a way, she's right...but not really.

Larger planes are usually used for longer-distance flights, so of course, the carry more fuel.  Theoretically, if the plane were to crash, there would be a bigger explosion because of that.  However, there isn't really a greater chance that a big plane would crash as opposed to a smaller plane, and you're probably dead either way, so I wouldn't worry about the fuel amount.

As for covering longer distances, you've got to get to wherever you're going anyway, so what's the difference whether you take one plane or several?  It just doesn't make sense to me.  You're going to be in the air for the same amount of time either way.  Planes are prepared to travel the distances that they do -- otherwise they wouldn't do it!

Generally, small private planes are the ones that crash most often because the pilots are more inexperienced, the planes are not serviced as frequently, the communication is less reliable, etc.  But any commercial jet will be relatively safe.  Realistically, you have a much higher risk of getting in a car crash than a plane crash.

Answer 10

Theres nothing as a "Not-so-safe" airplane. If an airplane was not safe, the FAA and other governing agencies wouldn't approve them to fly. So there's no need to panic and worry. Every aircraft is safe.

Answer 11

The bigger airplanes are safer then the smaller ones because they tend to fly longer distances between stops. And the most dangerouse times of a flight are the takeoffs and the landings.

Answer 12

This makes no sense. If you're choosing between a small plane or a large plane when flying from New York to California, what sense does it make to say that large planes cover longer distances?

And how is carrying fuel a bad thing?

Trust me, having more fuel is a good thing.  You never know when weather, congestion, or mechanical problems are going to mean that you have to stay in the air for longer than you expected. Extra fuel makes the flight significantly safer.

Answer 13

I will say no really becuse have you ever seen any big plane problems like the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380.

The A380 has just been built a Couple of years ago.

Don't worry about planes crashing they won't.

Planes these days are proberly built. (Computerized)

I went on Holiday a year ago and i went on the Boeing 757 and it is 16 years old and had no problems with it. Fly on any Plane it won't go wrong. I'm want to be a Pilot when i'm older.

People check planes before they take off.

Answer 14

bigger the safer. they dont get as much turbulence as smaller aircraft do.

Answer 15

Nope!! The bigger airplanes are much safer than the small ones

Answer 16

No. It's not about the size. It's about the technology. Newer aiplanes are safer.

Answer 17

Newer airplanes are much safer because the FAA has very strict rules regarding passenger planes. With lawsuits and such being thrown around easily, a private commercial airline company won't risk the lives of its patrons.

Smaller planes can be landed safer should there be a malfunction with mechanicals due to their light weight but they do have a lot more problems than a commercial plane.

I wouldn't worry if I were you.

Answer 18

Only if you lay down and let one roll over you during taxi. Then the smaller the better.