I’ve written a lot about EgyptAir lately and my takeaway is that the 777-300 Business Class experience is surprisingly pleasant. But is EgyptAir safe?
A Mixed Safety Record
EgyptAir has been around since 1932 so not surpassingly, has suffered a number of crashes and hijackings over its 85 year life.
Most people think about the 2016 MS804 Paris to Cairo crash when discussing EgyptAir safety. My mind goes to MS990 from LAX to CAI via JFK in 1999. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) attributed the crash to the deliberate action by the relief first officer. His last recorded words on the flight black box were, “I made my decision now. I put my faith in God’s hands.” Meanwhile, the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority (ECAA) determined the crash was caused by a mechanical failure of the aircraft’s elevator control system. Of course both reasons are possible–the mechanical failure may well have occurred, but it seems indisputable the co-pilot failed to stabilize a problem that could have been stabilized.
There has also been the MS181 hijacking last March (no death or injuries), MS321 in 1976 (no death or injuries), the crash of MS763 in 1972 (all 30 onboard killed), the crash of MS864 in 1976 (all 52 onboard killed), the crash of MS843 in 2002 (3/6 crew, 11/56 passengers dead) and the MS648 hijacking in 1985 that led to the death of 2/6 crew and 59/90 passengers after a mission to storm the aircraft and rescue passengers backfired.
Why I’ll Still Fly EgytpAir
Are there statistically safer airlines? Absolutely. But I still would not let that stop me from EgyptAir.
A pilot flew a Germanwings flight (airline is owned by Lufthansa) into a mountain last year. Does that mean I will now avoid all Lufthansa Group flights? Of course not.
You many point to EgyptAir’s longer mixed safety record and the fact that Egyptian authorities seem to have a “head in the sand” mentality when it comes to frank discussion on its safety record. I will concede that point.
But I will also continue to dispute that you are putting life at greater risk by flying on EgyptAir than by driving to the airport or riding your bike down a sidewalk or even sitting at your desk at home looking out the window.
Check out this MIT study of your odds of dying–
DEATH BY: YOUR ODDS
- Cardiovascular disease: 1 in 2
- Smoking (by/before age 35): 1 in 600
- Car trip, coast-to-coast: 1 in 14,000
- Bicycle accident: 1 in 88,000
- Tornado: 1 in 450,000
- Train, coast-to-coast: 1 in 1,000,000
- Lightning: 1 in 1.9 million
- Bee sting: 1 in 5.5 million
- U.S. commercial jet airline: 1 in 7 million
Let’s grant that EgyptAir is not as safe as a U.S. commercial airliner. You are still more likely to die by lightning or a bee sting than flying on EgyptAir.
One reason we read about more air accidents is because airline travel continues to proliferate. More airliners are in the sky than ever before and that means, statistically speaking, that we would expect even more crashes, but the odds of a crash have dropped even further (by some measures to as much a 1 in 29 million) since the study above was published. We are in a golden age of aviation safety.
The Upside to Flying on EgyptAir
To those who say, yes, yes — the risk is low, but it is still a risk not worth taking, I offer this response.
What if you want to take the family on a safari to South Africa or Kenya and EgyptAir is the only reasonably-priced option with business class award space? Flying on EgyptAir was a pleasure. I boarded my flight expecting the worst and ready to publish a scathing review, but was blown away at how comfortable the flight was. Take it from me–I just want to help you get the most bang for your buck and EgyptAir business class space without fuel surcharges is often the only answer. It is worth it.
CONCLUSION
I realize my reasoning will not be persuasive to all, but I do hope you will think crtically about EgyptAir before instinctively rejecting it. Statistically speaking, the airline remains extremely safe. Furthermore, the experience onboard is pleasant. Therefore, I recommend it and would take my wife and child on it in a heartbeat.
>But I will also continue to dispute that you are putting life at greater risk by flying on EgyptAir than by driving to the airport or riding your bike down a sidewalk or even sitting at your desk at home looking out the window.
But that’s completely and utterly irrelevant. That’s like saying that walking out in the street without looking is safer than putting your head in the mouth of a lion. Almost certainly true, but that doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to walk out in the street without looking.
You should be comparing the risks between different means of travel by airliner.
Where you are correct is that it’s an individual cost-benefit analysis. If the benefit of a cheap business class seat is greater to you than the costs associated with safety risk, great. Good luck. I’d rather fly in Lufthansa (not Germanwings) economy or BA to Cairo.
I see your statistics and they make sense, but…… i rather take an American or European airline …..
Especially being woman
Yeah of course, cos US Airlines service is warm and fabulous. And as a woman, your President is very respectful to women and advocates tirelessly for woman’s rights, health care etc.
You literally have no idea about travel or the world. Just saying.
Matthew,
It tough to see the comments I see here after my experience on Egypt Air. As a woman traveling alone overnight I expect airlines to have safety protocols in place to protect their passengers. I reported the man next to me as I was woken up by him kissing my head, putting his hands up my sweater, grabbing my breast and massaging my back. The staff suggested I slap him even though he had 1oo pounds on me and we were on overnight flight full of sleeping families. They didn’t file any report, follow up with me to ensure I was ok and allowed him to wait for me outside the aircraft upon landing. I tried again to get help from the staff and was told to “toughen up” and “be a strong woman” . I contacted their office this week who explained the staff acted within their policies and it was my fault for not calling 911. They refuse to escalate my complaint suggested I contact the police, they feel Egypt Air staff acted appropriately and no investigation of their policy for dealing with in flight assault / molestation is needed.
I TOTALLY AGREE and right now I CAN’T find an American plane to Hurtaga Egypt or Cairo for October I won’t fly Egypt, Turkish or Russian airlines. Oh
You should re-consider. Egypt Air operates a beautiful new Boeing 787-9 from Washington Dulles and Turkish via Istanbul is a great option.
Out of curiosity, do you only post positive comments? You didn’t post my earlier comment but did post “Joanna’s”.
No, just that comments but be manually approved the first time you leave one on this site.
OK, thanks – that’s fair.
Agree with you statistically bec math doesn’t lie.
People’s emotion/prejudices/bring-up lies to them (they see what they want to see either consciously or subconscious) and will try to justify against the Math/statistics..
A little FYI, the Pilot of EGYPT AIR flight from New York, saying I have made my decision, my fate is in God’s hands is a very normal thing for any Egyptian to say, Muslim or Christian or whatever. This was a man who was known to have fun & loved his family, never a religious zealot..There are many theories as to why & how that flight went down..suicide seems a bit ridiculous..
for the report above, you have made a good homework and statics for Egyptair. but what about the history of TWA, PANAM, united airways, in addition to European airlines
Yes, Egyptair maybe not from the best 5 top airlines, but it is still safe and has the most professional Pilots
I have used many American airlines in domestic flights in USA, some of these flights were a nightmare in take-off and landing,
to be fair, compare the incident rates and severity rates of each airline with other to provide a full picture
Last but not least, accidents could happen for any person, at any time and in any location.