How Safe Are Airplanes?
Commercial jets actually have a very robust and demanding list of technical constraints that need to be addressed before every flight, making sure the plane is in good working condition. This doesn’t mean every plane you fly in is in peak working condition, however. Planes are big machines with multiple, redundant systems, and some, inevitably, don’t always function well.
In order to avoid delays, airlines have a set threshold for minor failures that can go unattended before flights – but don’t be too concerned. The threshold is still very demanding. The structure and build of planes, in itself, is quite sturdy. During thunderstorms, planes can even be hit by lightning multiple times without sustaining any damage!