Some DCA frequent flyers avoid Reagan National after deadly crash
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Some locals are opting not to depart from DCA after last month's fatal crash — a development amid a greater spike in Americans questioning just how safe it is to fly, according to Google Trends data.
Why it matters: Flying remains the safest and most efficient way to travel long distances in the U.S., but the Google data reflects how events in the news can impact the way people feel when they're boarding an aircraft or considering whether to book a flight.
What they're saying: Several locals told Axios that they were wary of flying out of DCA after the crash between a commercial plane and a helicopter in January.
Crystal City resident Rebekah Moore lives six minutes from DCA and usually flies from there frequently for work.
- But she's instead booked upcoming travel out of Dulles due to concerns about congestion at DCA's runway. "I am choosing to add 30 to 40 minutes to my [commute]."
And Shirlington resident Antonio Mena flies from DCA to New Jersey often for work — but last week he opted to drive instead of taking the DCA flight, he tells Axios. He plans to continue driving or flying out of Dulles for the time being.
While both Moore and Mena said they plan to eventually return to flying out of DCA, Moore says she'd feel more comfortable if the airport shared more information about updates it's making in light of the incident.
- "[I want] any transparency [regarding] anything that they've done to ensure safety, even if it seems small."
Yes, but: Several locals also told Axios D.C. they had no fear of flying out of DCA after the crash.
Catch up quick: After the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily limited the number of flights that can land hourly at DCA to improve safety; it also instituted a temporary restriction on helicopters flying near the airport.
By the numbers: Searches for "is it safe to fly" have been surging in February.
- The only time more Americans were searching that question was during the pandemic, when there was confusion about how likely the virus was to spread on a plane, according to Google Trends data dating back to 2004.
- Searches for "how many plane crashes in 2025" are also on the rise. Another trending search is "why are planes crashing?"
Reality check: Lots of people claim they'll never fly again after high-profile aviation incidents — but there are few alternatives for people who love to or need to travel long distances, and history shows such doubts are often short-lived, Axios aviation expert Alex Fitzpatrick notes.
- Demand for air travel has been steadily rising since the pandemic, and even last year's headline-grabbing 737 Max door plug blowout didn't slow ticket sales.