Air travel is one of the safest ways to move around the globe. Yet, over decades, some companies have appeared more often than others in official accident reports. This article examines the airlines with the most crashes in history. The goal is to present factual, readable, and informative content. We’ll focus on documented data rather than sensationalism.
The list below is based on long-term records compiled by executive aviation researchers and aviation safety trackers. It shows airlines that, over many decades, have recorded the highest number of incidents officially classified as plane crashes.
Before we begin, a key point: a high number of historical crashes does not reflect modern safety standards. Many carriers improved drastically with better training, technology, maintenance, and regulation. Still, historical totals remain an important part of aviation history.
1. American Airlines — One of the Airlines with the Most Crashes
American Airlines shares the top spot in the ranking of airlines with the most plane crashes, with 11 recorded incidents.
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Some of those events occurred early in commercial aviation history. Others are widely known. For example, American Airlines Flight 191, one of the worst air disasters in U.S. history, crashed in 1979 shortly after takeoff, killing all on board.
Additionally, on September 11, 2001, two American Airlines aircraft were hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center. These brought enormous loss of life, though they were acts of terrorism and not operational accidents.
American Airlines’ high crash count is linked in part to its age and extensive flight activity. The carrier began operations in the early days of passenger aviation and grew into one of the world’s largest fleets. With higher flight volume over decades comes a greater opportunity for accidents, even if safety improves over time.
1. Air France — Tied at the Top for Plane Crash Count
Air France also appears at the top of the list of airlines with the most crashes, tied with American Airlines on 11 recorded plane crashes.
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Its documented incidents include accidents that span large portions of its history. One of the most widely known was Flight 447 in 2009, which crashed into the Atlantic Ocean, with a total of 228 fatalities. These high-profile events contributed to flight safety changes, including improvements in aircraft sensor technology and pilot procedures.
Air France’s long operational history, dating back to 1933, translates into a higher number of recorded incidents. Like American, many companies with long histories carry this pattern in safety statistics.
3. China Airlines — Historical Record Among Airlines with the Most Crashes
China Airlines, based in Taiwan, appears next with 9 recorded plane crashes.
Some of its accidents were particularly severe. China Airlines Flight 611 in 2002 disintegrated midair, leading to tragic loss of life.
Over the years, China Airlines has made sustained efforts to modernize its fleet and improve training. Despite improvements, the historical record places it high in crash counts compared to many global carriers.
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3. Korean Air — Equal Crash Count to China Airlines
Korean Air also recorded 9 plane crashes in its history.
Historically, Korean Air experienced several serious incidents in the 1970s through 1990s. These played a significant role in shaping today’s safety regulations and airline-wide improvements.
Modern Korean Air emphasizes updated safety systems and crew training standards, reflecting the global aviation trend toward lower incident rates in recent decades.
5. Pakistan International Airlines — A Long-Standing Entry
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) appears next with 8 recorded plane crashes.
Many of PIA’s documented incidents occurred decades ago. One of the most recent and tragic was Flight 8303, which crashed during approach in Karachi and resulted in substantial loss of life.
Like many carriers with older records, PIA’s past contributes to its place among airlines with the most crashes but does not automatically define its current safety practices.
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6. United Airlines — A Major U.S. Carrier with Documented Crashes
United Airlines has 7 recorded plane crashes in its operational history.
In a few cases, United was involved in catastrophic events. On September 11, 2001, United Airlines Flight 175 was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center’s South Tower.
Other crash events sometimes stem from factors unrelated to airline operations. Overall, United’s long flight record aligns with its presence on this list.
7. EgyptAir — Shared Crash History
EgyptAir appears with 6 documented plane crashes.
Some of these incidents have been widely reported. While this places EgyptAir on the list, it’s important to note that aviation safety varies over time due to evolving regulation, oversight, and aircraft improvements.
7. Ethiopian Airlines — Another with Multiple Crashes
Ethiopian Airlines has 6 recorded crashes as well.
The airline operates one of Africa’s largest fleets and has a long history, dating back to 1945. One major modern tragedy was Flight 302 in 2019 — a 737 MAX accident that led to investigations influencing global safety practices.
Despite such events, the carrier has made significant strides in safety modernization.
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7. Thai Airways — Same Crash Count Among Airlines with the Most Crashes
Thai Airways recorded 6 plane crashes in its operating history.
This airway, Thai Airways, began service in the late 1960s and has operated globally. Its incidents are spread across several decades and many different aircraft types.
Like others on this list, incidents occurred across periods when aviation safety systems were less advanced than today.
10. American Eagle — A Regional Airline with Recorded Crashes
American Eagle, a regional branch of American Airlines, also appears among airlines with the most crashes with 5 incidents.
Regional operators often fly smaller aircraft on short routes. American Eagle’s crash count reflects older events. Improvements in aircraft technology and stricter safety rules have reduced incident rates in recent years.
10. Continental Airlines — Part of Aviation History
Continental Airlines also recorded 5 crashes before it merged with United Airlines in 2012.
This airline, Continental, was one of the long-time U.S. carriers with a broad route network. Mergers and changes in airline structures make it important to capture historical crash counts based on official records from the time before consolidation.
10. Lufthansa — A Major European Airline with Historical Crashes
Finally, Lufthansa rounds out the top group with 5 documented plane crashes.
As Germany’s largest airline, Lufthansa has operated globally since the 1950s. Its presence on this list reflects its long history rather than a present-day safety challenge. Modern airline operations are vastly safer than aviation was 50 or 70 years ago.
How to Understand the “Airlines with the Most Crashes” Ranking
Listing the airlines with the most crashes can be misleading without context. Here’s why:
1. Age Matters
Airlines with long histories naturally have more years of flight operations. The more decades an airline has flown, the more incidents are likely to appear in historic records, even if safety improved later.
2. Flight Volume Is Key
Large carriers fly millions of flights every year. More flights increase the chance of rare events being recorded as officially reportable crashes.
3. Safety Has Improved Dramatically
Aviation safety has advanced through better technology, training, global regulation, and aircraft design. Modern incidents are far rarer than in earlier eras.
4. Rankings Reflect History, Not Current Safety Levels
An airline that appears high on historical crash lists is not necessarily unsafe today. Safety standards, aircraft types, crew training, maintenance practices, and oversight all evolve over time.
Common Misunderstandings About Airline Crash Data
The term “crash” doesn’t always mean the same thing in every report. Some documented incidents may involve:
- Controlled emergency landings
- Damage on takeoff or landing that did not result in loss of life
- Fatal accidents caused by external factors (e.g., terrorism, military action)
- Mid-air events unrelated to airline operations
For example, the September 11, 2001 hijackings involved two American Airlines flights and two United Airlines flights, but those events were acts of terror rather than airline operational failures.
Conclusion: What This Ranking Tells Us About Air Travel Safety
The airlines with the most crashes historically include major carriers that have existed for decades. These records reflect long operational histories, large fleets, and extensive flight networks as much as anything else.
Airlines like American Airlines, Air France, China Airlines, and Korean Air appear at the top of the list largely due to their long histories and large number of flights over many years.
Importantly, aviation safety has never been higher than it is today. Modern aircraft, tighter regulations, advanced navigation systems, and improved training have contributed to a steep decline in accident rates globally.
By understanding the data behind the airlines with the most crashes, travelers can better appreciate how far aviation safety has progressed without ignoring history.
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