In the wake of the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing two days ago, the internet is abuzz with news, pictures, and falsified reports. But a smaller discussion is going on behind the scenes that is far more upsetting to me as an AvGeek.
Tucked away in tiny corners of the internet, members of the general public are swearing never to fly the 777 again. I've even seen some comments calling the 777 the worst plane in the world.
The truth is that the 777 has the best safety record in the industry. The plane entered service in 1995 and before two days ago, only three people have died in crashes or other fatal accidents involving the aircraft. Asiana's crash last July was the first ever fatal accident in the aircraft's very successful career.
Three deaths is rather incredible for a 19 year career. In its first 19 years of service from 1970 to 1989, the iconic Boeing 747 was involved in twelve fatal accidents, accidents which killed a total of 2608 people (Source: airsafe.com, terrorists not included). Included is the Tenerife disaster in 1977, a collision between two 747s which resulted in the loss of 583 as the deadliest crash in aviation history. Also in the 747's first 19 years, the crash of Japan Airlines flight 123, the deadliest single aircraft crash in history in 1985 which took the lives of 520.
The 737, the best selling commercial aircraft in the world cannot hold a candle to the safety record of the 777 either. In its first 19 years of service from 1968 to 1987, the 737 was involved in 21 fatal incidents which killed a total of 1073 people, five of which involved the death of more than 100 people (Source: airsafe.com).
Before you make the claim that the 747 and 737 are much older aircraft and were built and debuted in a time where aviation safety was much different, note this: Airbus' A330 debuted one year before the 777 and has already been involved in three fatal accidents that killed a total of 338 people (Source: airsafe.com). One such accident was Air France flight 447 that was lost over the Atlantic Ocean in a flight from Rio to Paris in 2009.
The circumstances of the flight are similar to the circumstances of the lost Malaysian Airlines flight that disappeared two days ago. Both flights suddenly disappeared at cruise altitude, both flights were confirmed, after they were due to land at their destination, and both were lost over the ocean. The crash of Air France 447 alone resulted in 228 of the A330's 338 fatalities.
The only airliner that can come close to the 777's outstanding safety record is the A340. The A340 debuted two years before the 777 and have not had a fatal accident. However, the 777 has only been involved in two hull loss accidents, three if you assume the worst about the Malaysia Airlines flight currently missing, The A340 has been involved in five. The most notable of which was Air France flight 358 which overran the runway in Toronto during a stormy landing. All 309 people got out in time, but some 43 were injured, 12 seriously.
The 777 has more than three times the amount of aircraft currently in service than A340. This only adds to the reliability and safety record of the 777.
An important note to all fearful fliers who may happen to be reading this: while no aircraft is perfect, no aircraft currently in service could be considered a disaster with wings. Aircraft types have their ups and downs, but for the most part, commercial airliners have never been safer in the history of aviation.
So while everyone else buzzes around worrying about the 777's safeness, that fact still stands that the 777 is closest you can get to perfect. So next time you book an international flight, don't shy away from a 777, book it. Not only is it a great overall experience, it's one of the safest ways to get anywhere in the world. Period.
CORRECTION: The article initially said that Air France flight 358 overran the runway in Montreal, when in fact it was in Toronto. The correction has been made within the article.
