mode of travel (details) commercial

How to Fill Up SG Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors

Last Updated on June 1, 2023 by Tina

One of the travel requirements to enter Singapore is to submit Singapore Arrival Card. The SG Arrival Card is the electronic version of the paper disembarkation/embarkation (DE) card that foreign visitors fill out and submit upon arrival in Singapore for immigration clearance. It comes with a health declaration function as part of the border control measures in response to the COVID-19 of the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

Filling out the SG Arrival Card is very easy and takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Submission is free of charge.

Never Miss An Update

Email Address

Subscribe Now

What Do You Need When You Fill Out and Submit SG Arrival Card?

In the Singapore Arrival Card, you need to fill in your personal information, passport details, contact information, travel information, and the details of your accommodation in Singapore. Take note that the SG Arrival Card is not a visa.

Related Post: Singapore Travel Guide 2023

When Can You Submit SG Arrival Card?

You can submit your SG Arrival Card within three (3) days prior to the date of your arrival in Singapore. You can submit it via the official SG Arrival Card E-service website . Alternatively, you can download the official “SG Arrival Card” mobile application from either the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and submit it from there.

How to Fill Up Singapore Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors

Here’s the step by step process for filling up the Singapore Arrival Card:

Go to the official SG Arrival Card E-service website and click on Foreign Visitors (including In-Principle Approval (IPA) Holders).

Next, select Individual Submission if you are submitting for yourself only, or Group Submission if you are submitting on behalf of a group. When I traveled to Singapore two weeks ago, I traveled with my mom. I submitted for both of us so I choose Group Submission.
Next, you need to fill in your personal information: full name, passport number, date of birth, and citizenship. For the full name, I typed in the format first name, middle name then family name. Click Confirm when you finish.
Next, fill in your additional information: sex, date of passport expiry, place of residence, country of birth, email address, and mobile number. Then click Continue .
Next will be the trip information. Fill in the date of your arrival in Singapore and your mode of travel if it is by air, land, or sea. Then click Confirm .
On the following page, you need to select whether your mode of travel is commercial or private. If you select commercial, you also need to select the flight code (airline) as well as the flight number. For your accommodation, select whether you are staying in a hotel, residential, or others. If you select hotel, you will need to select in the dropdown the name of the hotel where you will be staying at. If the name of the hotel you are staying at is not in the dropdown, look for Others in the dropdown, then manually type the name of the hotel. (See screenshot below). If it’s residential, you need to fill in the address. Select Others if you are going to Singapore on transit or a day trip. You also need to select the last city/port of embarkation before Singapore as well as the next city/port of disembarkation after Singapore. If your next city is the same as your port of embarkation before Singapore, simply tick on the box that says Same as Last City . Next, fill in the date of your departure from Singapore.

In the Others section, you are asked if you ever used a passport under a different name to enter Singapore.
Next is the Health Declaration section. Here you are asked about your travel history and if you are experiencing any symptoms in the last 7 days. Click on Preview when you finish.
A summary of your answers can be found on the next page. If there is information that you need to change, click on the Edit button on the bottom part of the page. If everything is okay, read the declaration then tick on the box I have read and agreed to the declaration on the bottom part. Then click Submit .

Related Post: 14 Instagrammable Places in Singapore

What Vehicle Number Should I Input If I Am Arriving By Train Or Bus?

One of the readers of this post left a question earlier so I decided to edit this post as it might also help other travelers. She said she is going to Singapore from Malaysia by train. She asked what vehicle number she should input in her SG arrival card if she is arriving in Singapore by train and she doesn’t have a ticket yet. I have no experience with this yet so I decided to check the FAQs page of ICA. This is what the website says:

If you are traveling to Singapore by train/rail

You may wish to submit your SG Arrival Card on the same day of your arrival when you already have the train number. However, if you want to do it in advance, you can indicate TRAIN under the vehicle number. When the train number is already available, you may update your SG Arrival Card declaration via “Update a Submission” if you are using the SG Arrival Card e-Service. If you are using the SG Arrival Card mobile application, you can select the SG Arrival Card record and tap on the “Edit” button.

If you are traveling to Singapore by bus

Just like with the train, you may wish to submit your SG Arrival Card on the same day of your arrival when you already have the bus/vehicle number. However, if you want to do it in advance, you can indicate BUS under the vehicle number. When the bus number is already available, you may update your SG Arrival Card declaration via “Update a Submission” if you are using the SG Arrival Card e-Service. If you are using the SG Arrival Card mobile application, you can select the SG Arrival Card record and tap on the “Edit” button.

What Mode Of Travel Should You Indicate If You Are Entering Singapore By Foot

You may select the mode of travel as BUS and indicate “NA” under the Vehicle Number if you are entering Singapore by foot.

The Individual Submission and Group Submission are almost the same. The difference is that in the group submission, you first fill in the information of the lead traveler, then click on the Add Traveler button after the Health Declaration of the lead traveler, and do the same.

Upon submission of the SG Arrival Card, you will receive an acknowledgment message on the next page. You can either print it or download the message and save it as a PDF on your phone. An acknowledgment message will also be sent to your email. You are going to show the acknowledgment message at the immigration in Singapore. It’s okay if you can’t print the acknowledgment message. Just show the soft copy at the immigration.

If you have other questions about filling out the Singapore Arrival Card, feel free to write them down in the comments section below. You can also send your questions to my email or my social media accounts.

If you haven’t subscribed to my blog yet, please do so you don’t miss any of my posts. And please follow my Facebook page @iwentanyways and like my Instagram accounts @iwentanyways and @tnadeperalta for updates.

Like what you read? Pin this for later!

100 thoughts on “How to Fill Up SG Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors”

why is the hotel i already booked cant see in the dropdown?

If you can’t find the hotel name, select Others in the Type of Accommodation in Singapore and then key in the hotel name manually.

Hi Tina, when I choose Others, there are only two choices from the dropdown options – Day Trip and Transit. When I manually type the hotel name, it doesn’t accept. Whatever I type will be deleted when I click somewhere.

Hi. First you need to select HOTEL in the type of accommodation. Then in the Name of Hotel, look for others in the drop down. Then type the name of the hotel

Please disregard my previous post. I saw your reply on another post how this is sorted out. Thanks.

Hi. Thanks for all your explanations. Two questions: 1. What about SG Arrival Card completion if you have no mobile phone? I can only have a Skype number on a Lenovo tablet. Will it be accepted by the fields on the web page? 2. If the SG Arrival Card completion does’t work without a mobile phone, will I get transit or one day entrance refusal by not showing that card? In this case, good by Singapore and good by $ of my flight ticket!

You can complete the SG Arrival Card registration on your tablet, laptop or desktop computer. Not sure about the Skype number, but you could try so you’ll find out if it will work.

Hi what if I am travelling in connecting flight from Delhi( India) > Kuala lumpur > Singapore. Which city and flight detail would I put up for Last city/port of embarkation before Singapore

Kuala Lumpur 🙂

i m travelling to singapore from Mumbai-singapore -mumbai

what is my Port of Embarkation Before Singapore and Next City / Port of Disembarkation After Singapore

If it is a direct flight then Mumbai for both

Please tell me as well for Last and next city, my itinerary as follows: Delhi- Singapore- Genting Dream Cruise( Will move around singapore waters only)- Singapore- Bali. Please tell as cruise factor in between is bit confusing otherwise I believe answer is Delhi and Bali.

Yes, I think it is Delhi and Bali too

Hi, I still confusing about accomodation

If I do day trip, what to fill others at accomodation section?

You select Others in the Type of Accommodation in Singapore and select Day Trip under Accommodation (Others)

I select the “Other” on Type of Accommodation in Singapore to fill up my hostel name but i can’t find where to key in the hotel name manually?

Same problem here, our hotel is not in the “Hotel” list and if I choose “Others” I can only choose “Day Trip” or “Transit”, no way to key in an address?

How to correctly fill this out?

You just have to select others in the list of hotel names, and key in the hotel name manually. I tried it and it worked. Here is a screenshot: https://iwentanyways.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sg-arrival-card.jpg

Hi Tina, thanks for this. I think most of us are looking on the “OTHERS” from the Accommodation options, not from the HOTEL section itself. Saved my day. 🙂

You’re welcome. 🙂 Updated the post to include a screenshot for future searches.

I am not a permanent resident in Bangkok but I am working there. so for the residence should I put my bangkok address or my home country address?

You can put your Bangkok address

Hi! My arrival card has remarks to produce a covid pre-departure test for non-fully vaccinated even if I already included a validated QR code in my submission. Is this standard for all arrival cards?

No. I didn’t get that when I applied for my arrival card. What’s your vaccine? Check their website because there are vaccine brands that Singapore doesn’t accept.

Hi, I also got the same issue. How did you sorted it out?

What is my next city of Disembarkation after Singapore?

Your next destination after Singapore

What if it’s just a layover, will that count?

Example: SG > HK > MNL

Sorry I don’t understand your question. Are you flying from Sg then doing a layover to HK then Manila?

Yes, Tina. Flying from SG then doing a layover to HK then Manila.

I see. You don’t need to submit SG arrival card when leaving Singapore. You only need it when you are entering Singapore. 🙂 By the way, you need to register to https://etravel.gov.ph/new-travel-declaration within 72 hours prior to your arrival in the Philippines.

Hi, for the nationality/citizen ship part I put Brazilian since i’m from Brazil but I am using America passport since my brazil passport is expired. Is that still ok? because that part got me a little bit confused.

Yes. In your US passport, it says Brazil in the place of birth right?

What is meant by uploading the “QR code” from the vaccination certificate… can you share a sample?. IS it necessary to do RTPCR test when fully vaccinated? My son is 9 years old should he have a RTPCR?

When you apply for an Sg arrival card, there is a part where you need to upload a soft copy of your vaccination card. RT-Pcr test is not required if fully vaccinated

Thank you for the reply and clarification. One more query!!!

What about kids below age of 12, we need rtpcr report to be uploaded or can we show printout during immigration?

Also, instead of uploading soft copy of vaccine can we have printout and show at immigration?

Kids below age 12 are exempted from COVID 19 vaccination, testing and quarantine. You can check the official website of Singapore for the complete details: https://www.ica.gov.sg/enter-transit-depart/entering-singapore

About the qr code, you need to upload it so that you’ll get an SG arrival card. You need to apply for that as early as 3 days before your arrival to Singapore. 😊

Is it okay, if your date of departure and next city of embarkation is not the same with the previously filled-up SG Arrival Card, like you decide to extend for 1 day and travel to other city.

Hi. I am not sure but maybe yes as long as you leave before the date that you are allowed to stay in Singapore. When you get the SG Arrival Card, you will see there until what date you are allowed to stay in Singapore.

If I have a connecting flight (LAG-DOH-SIN) to Singapore, what flight number should I input in filling the SG Arrival Card?

Your flight before Singapore- DOH

Hi there! What should we fill up for vehicle number if we will be taking bus to Singapore from Malaysia and usually bus plates are not known till we board? Thanks in advance!

Are you booking the bus in advance?

Hi, i opted for the group submissiòn since I will.be travelling with my husband and daughter. I was able to successfully submit and got the confirmation letter via emaiĺ. However upon review I.noticed that one letter of my surname is missing instead of asuncion it was asuncio. How can I correct the error? Should I need to file a new one still for group submission? What will happen to my previous confirmation? Thanks

File a new one just for you. According to their FAQS, “you are not required to cancel or delete your declarations. If there is any change to your earlier submitted SG Arrival Card, you will need to resubmit a new SG Arrival Card with the updated information. The earlier submission will be superseded by the new declaration.” Hope this helps.

Hi, when I fill the card at their website, My arrival card has remarks to produce a covid pre-departure test for non-fully vaccinated even if I already included a validated QR code in my submission and even i update my data it still like that. Because of that, I fill again in their application, then the remarks change to PRODUCE COVID-19 VACCINATION CERTIFICATE FOR CHECKS. is it okay that now I have 2 declaration cards? and which one should I use? I’m fully vaccinated btw. Thank you

It’s ok to have 2 SG Arrival Card. Use the most recent one. The earlier submission will be superseded by the new declaration. Regarding your vaccination certificate, did you upload the QR Code only? Coz that is what’s needed, you don’t have to upload the whole Vaccination Cert.

I would be landing in Singapore and soon after immigration, I would be going to Malaysia for a quick 2 day trip, come back to Singapore and then go to Bali the same day. In this case, what am I supposed to fill for

Next City / Port of Disembarkation After Singapore & Do I need to fill SGA form when I return from Malaysia and Bali too?

If you are passing through immigration before going to Malaysia, then your next city is Malaysia. When you go back to Singapore, if it’s just a connecting flight to Bali and you are not passing through the immigration, you don’t need to fill out SGA form

Thanks for the information

I’m departing Canada November 9th and arrive on the 11th. So when do I submit my SG arrival card as my journey would have started 3 day prior.

Can I submit just before I check in for my flight on the 9th.

Or fill the form on the 8th my date but when it’s the 9th in Singapore with the time difference.

You can fill it up on the 8th your date

Hi, I bought tickets for Singapore and a few days after decided to go to Malaysia on the same day as I arrived in Singapore. I will be spending 3 days in Malaysia and than flying back to Singapore for the duration of my stay. Do I need to do 2 SG arrival cards?

If you are passing through immigration before going to Malaysia, yes you need 2 SG arrival cards. One on your first arrival to Singapore and another for when you go back to Singapore.

i arrive singapore on 23oct 2022, and my sg arrival card state im departing singapore on 29oct 2022. however i need to extend my stay in singapore till 31oct 2022. what should i do in term of the sg arrival card? do i need to revise it? pls help. thank you

I’m not sure but I think there is no need as long as you don’t overstay (check the SG Arrival Card issued to you until what date you are allowed to stay in Singapore)

Thank you Tina. the immigration officer changi singapore give me 14days stay when i arrive in singapore on 23oct 2022. so im allowed till 05nov 2022.

The colour code on my SG arrival card is yellow. What does it mean? Do i need to do covid test?

Sorry but I have no idea. I didn’t know there were color codes for Sg Arrival card. I just applied for one earlier and didnt read about the color coding.

Hello. I just noticed the yellow on my SG arrival card ( https://iwentanyways.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Yellow-Sg-arrival-card.jpg ) this morning when I was lining up at the immigration. I don’t think it means anything because the immigration officer didn’t ask for anything from me. I am now here in Singapore.

Hi, if I am travelling from Korea > Vietnam > Singapore , it is not a direct flight so what do I put for port of embarkation?

We are leaving Singapore on a cruise. Our first stop is Semarang, Indonesia. When the cruise ends we disembark in Auckland, NZ. What should we put as our port of disembarkation?

I think you should put New Zealand if your cruise ends there.

Hi, it said “scan passport” and the name appeared as last name first name, so i only type the middle name. Is it okay that the last name is the first one since it is from the scanning?

And I do not have the qr code certificate since there is system maintenance, the city government provided a certificate with dry seal so I tick the option that I do not have qr code. Any follow up questions that the immigration may ask me?

Hi, sorry where did you scan your passport? I don’t remember doing that.

Hi, just want to confirm. I made the SG Arrival Card a while ago and showed this to my Aunt. He advised that we should put the Last Name, First Name, and Middle Name (Showed in Passport). However, what I did is same as your. First Name, Middle Name, and Last Name. May I ask, is this okay or do I need to create a new one? Thank you.

That should be okay. I never had issues with mine. I was just there last month. My name on the arrival card was First Name, Middle Name, Last Name.

Hello We are coming to Singapore by flight and leaving by royal Caribbean cruise the same day. We come back to singapore 3 days after.

1.Do we need to fill in the sg arrival card twice? 2. If need to fill in twice, When filling it for the first time, what we should mention as accommodation in Singapore as we would be on cruise? Should it be day trip or transit or hotel where we can fill in name of cruise?

1. You need to fill in the Sg arrival card when you arrive to Singapore by flight. As for the arrival to Singapore by cruise, I am not sure about it. Better to ask the cruise operator.

2. When filling for the first time, I think it should be a day trip.

Hi I am flying into Singapore on 18 February and will fill in the SG Arrival form before I leave. I am then going on a cruise and returning to Singapore on 4 March but will not have access to a smartphone or iPad on the ship So will not be able to electronically complete the SG A before I get back to Singapore. Any ideas how to get around this problem?

I don’t know how it is in the pier/port because I’ve never been in one yet, but in the airport there are computers where you can do the SG Arrival Card. Maybe they have that in the Port also after the cruise.

Thank you for your speedy reply.

I found this blog post very helpful. Thank you for providing this information.

Hello When I arrive in SG I will stay 1 day at the hotel. Then I will be in a condo for the 6 month internship. What address should I put on my SG Arival card: hotel or condo?

You can put the condo

Hi Tina, My tour is MY-SG-Korea-SG-MY starting from 1/6 till 20/6) I am flying to SG on 1/6, stay a few days then fly to Korea on 5/6. From Korea I will go back to SG on 15/6 and then fly back to MY on 20/6. How many SG arrival cards do I need? 2 cards as below? 1) MY-SG-Korea (Port of Embarkation Before Singapore = MY. Port of Disembarkation After Singapore = Korea) 2) Korea-SG-MG (Port of Embarkation Before Singapore = Korea. Port of Disembarkation After Singapore = MG)

Yes, that is correct. 🙂

If you catch a train to Malaysia from sinapore.and go back to Singapore.what do you put on vechical registration number on sg arrival card has we won’t know this for a train when buy ticket

I haven’t done that yet so I have no idea. But you can fill up the SG arrival card after buying the train ticket.

What’s happens if the sg card doesn’t cum back in time .I will miss my cruise

Based on my experience (3x already), you will receive your SG Arrival Card immediately as soon as you submit it 🙂

Since you are going to Singapore before going to Malaysia, maybe you can check the vehicle number of the trains there already, or ask people there regarding the Sg Arrival Card

What if I went by bus.do you need bus registration number

I checked the FAQs page of SG Arrival Card for you regarding your concern ( https://va.ecitizen.gov.sg/cfp/customerpages/ICA/explorefaq.aspx?Category=48674 )

If You selected: Bus

If you are travelling by bus, you may wish to submit your declaration on the same day of your arrival when you have the vehicle number. Alternatively, you may submit the declaration beforehand and indicate “BUS” under Vehicle Number.

When the vehicle number is available, you may update your declaration via: a) “Update a Submission” if you are using the SG Arrival Card e-Service; or b) Select the submitted SG Arrival card record and tap on the “Edit” button if you are using the SG Arrival Card mobile application.

If You selected: Rail

If you are travelling by rail, you may wish to submit your declaration on the same day of your arrival when you have the vehicle number. Alternatively, you may submit the declaration beforehand and indicate “TRAIN” under Vehicle Number.

When the train number is available, you may update your declaration via: a) “Update a Submission” if you are using the SG Arrival Card e-Service; or b) Select the submitted SG Arrival card record and tap on the “Edit” button if you are using the SG Arrival Card mobile application.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much for your help

You are welcome 🙂

Hi. I’m going to Singapore in October for a week, but I wanted to also go to either Thailand or Bali from Singapore for two days and come back to Singapore and go home from there. I would need to fill out the arrival card again right when I go back to Singapore? I read that you can put multiple trips on the arrival card? If that’s so, my inital trip to Singapore, I would be able to put another trip on? Thank you

Hi. I have not tried the multiple trips so I am not sure about it. But yes, yoou need to fill out an arrival card every time you enter Singapore.

Hi Tina, Thank you for the clear directions on how to fill the SG arrival card. I was filling out the SG arrival card for a group submission and noticed that we need to create a profile before we get to the questionnaire. Is this right? Thank you!

When you click on this link: https://eservices.ica.gov.sg/sgarrivalcard/ and select Foreign Visitor then Click on Group Submission on the next page, it will automatically take you to the form where you are going to enter your Personal Information. Is this what you meant?

Hello Tina, thank you for your help. I’m planning a trip to Singapore to visit my friend, and she’s going to accommodate me during my stay. Since I won’t be at the hotel, how do I fill out my accommodation information? Do you have to write my friend information’s home? Do I need a letter of invitation from her? Thank you for your reply.

You have to select Residential in the type of accommodation then you need to put the address of your friend. No need for an invitation letter from her. 😊

i will visit singapore by flight from indonesia. after that i will visit kuala lumpur by bus. what should i fill in next city / disamberkation after singapore field? kuala lumpur ( destination) or Johor Bahru (entry point to malaysia via bus) ? thanks

Kuala Lumpur

I am reaching Singapore and then directly getting transferred to Cruise. what should I opt in type of accommodation and further please..

Is the cruise sailing out of Singapore (going to another country)? Maybe you can put transit.

We will come to Singapore on Wednesday 6th of March. Then we would like to visit Johor Bahru on Thursday 7th as a day trip. Should we fill the SGAC twice. And should we mention that we will go to Malaysia, when we fill the SGAC in Finland, before we come to Singapore.

I haven’t done this yet, but I think that you will have to fill it twice if you are exiting SG and then entering again.

Before You Fly + Travel Updates

15 Sep Private vs. Commercial Travel – what’s the difference?

There is no shortage of wanderlust these days. In fact, there might be a surge in daydreaming since people have been cooped up waiting for the pandemic to pass. It’s like waiting for a tornado siren to stop before coming out of your basement. You think it will be quick, but it persists for months on end. We can’t wait to see what’s outside the proverbial basement. During this time, our minds have been storing ideas and cravings that we are eager to manifest.

However, the way we travel has changed. The way we analyze travel options has changed. The options once labeled only for the wealthy are now being viewed as preferred methods over traditional ones. Who would have predicted that qualities like social-distancing and sanitizing would have sprung to the top of the list of considerations? I know it certainly took me by surprise.

This is abundantly apparent in air travel. Commercial air travel consists of busy airports, multiple touch points from check-in, security, lounges, public restrooms, waiting areas, boarding ramps and the planes themselves with passengers packed in tight. Not ideal in the best of circumstances, this is certainly off-putting amid a pandemic.

I know this firsthand. I just returned from a two-leg, one way journey on a commercial carrier and was astounded at the lack of safety and health precautions being taken. From all the media coverage, I was under the impression that there would be some sort of precaution…nope! Same old cattle herding and sardine packed planes. It was so unnerving that when I arrived home, I shed my clothes, threw them in a hot wash cycle and jumped straight into the shower to disinfect myself. In short, this was a far cry from desirable and eons away from luxury.

That brings me to private air travel. Long reserved for the select few, it is actually more accessible than most would think. It has inherent benefits like small groups of people who typically know each other on charter flights, private airport terminals for uncrowded check-in, waiting and boarding, minimal touch points in public spaces, personalized attention and customized itineraries. Now, private carriers like Tropic Ocean Airways have increased their safety and cleaning procedures to offer an experience that allows guests to travel with the ease and comfort. Also, while many large hotels and resorts remain closed, private carriers are able to bring guests directly to smaller resorts, private villas and private yachts, making for a completely socially distanced getaway.

If you have yet to fly private, take a look. If this is your preferred method of travel, well, then you already are in the know!

We look forward to seeing you on a Tropic Ocean Airways flight soon!

Request a quote

However complex or challenging the brief, our operations team delivers round-the-clock flight support on a global basis for both passenger and cargo operators.

Select a form

Air cargo charter.

Departure *

Destination *

Departure date *

Delete Add return / multi leg Add shipment

Your Name *

Telephone *

Cargo details *

We will use the information that you provide in this web form to respond to your enquiry, using the contact details you have provided. This information may be shared with members of staff across our corporate group in order to do so. Please also refer to our Privacy Notice .

Private jet charter

Regions * Select region Americas Europe Africa Middle East Asia Pacific

Passengers *

Group air charter

Aircraft leasing.

Service * —Please choose an option— Damp lease (cockpit crew only) Wet Lease (full crew) Hybrid Cargo ACMI

Aircraft Type *

Number of Aircraft * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Start Date *

Proposed Base *

Route Network *

Hours Guarantee/Month? * 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

Average Cycle Ratio? * 1.0:1.0 1.5:1.0 2.0:1.0 2.5:1.0 3.0:1.0 3.5:1.0 4.0:1.0 4.5:1.0 5.0:1.0 5.5:1.0 6.0:1.0 6.5:1.0 7.0:1.0 7.5:1.0 8.0:1.0 8.5:1.0 9.0:1.0 9.5:1.0 10.0:1.0

AOC Holders Name? *

Aircraft Age Restriction? * 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Flight support

Service required * —Please choose an option— Flight support general enquiry Air passenger duty Delivery and ferry support Diversion management Flight planning Outsourced flight operations

Private Jet Travel vs Commercial Air Travel ― A Complete Guide

4th October 2023

In an increasingly interconnected world, air travel has become an essential mode of transportation for many. When it comes to flying, individuals and businesses have two primary options: private jet travel and commercial air travel.

Each option comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, catering to different preferences, needs, and circumstances.

We’re going to outline the key differences and pros/cons of private jet and commercial air travel in order to understand the landscape and to provide some rationale for using each type of air travel option.

Understanding Private Jet Travel

Private jet travel refers to the use of privately owned aircraft for air transportation. Unlike commercial airlines that serve a multitude of passengers on scheduled routes, private jet travel involves chartering or owning an entire aircraft for the exclusive use of a single individual, group, or organization. This mode of travel provides a high level of customization, convenience, and privacy, catering to those who are willing to pay a premium for a personalized flying experience.

Potential Users of Private Jet Travel

It’s a common misconception that private air travel is meant to serve the very rich and famous, which is far from the truth. Of course, affluent individuals who value their time and seek the utmost comfort and privacy often opt for private jet travel as it allows them to avoid the crowds and inconveniences associated with commercial airports. For domestic and short-haul flights, however, private air travel costs are often on par with first-class tickets on commercial flights. These aren’t by any means cheap, but certainly more affordable than many people realize.

There are many different audiences for private jet travel, which can be attributed to the purpose of the flight, necessity, convenience, and budget considerations.

Group Travel: Private jet travel is suitable for groups travelling together, whether it’s for family vacations, destination weddings, or corporate retreats. It offers a personalized and shared experience for the group.
Corporate Executives: Business leaders and executives frequently use private jets to travel to meetings, conferences, and other business engagements. The flexibility and efficiency of private jet travel align with their demanding schedules.
Sports Teams & Athletes: Sports teams, athletes, and their support staff might use private jets to travel to games, competitions, or training camps, ensuring timely arrivals and departures.
Celebrities & Entertainers: Public figures, celebrities, and entertainers often choose private jet travel to maintain their privacy and avoid the paparazzi. It allows them to travel discreetly and comfortably.
Government Officials & Diplomats: Government officials, diplomats, and heads of state may use private jets for official travel, ensuring security and confidentiality during their journeys.
Individuals with Special Needs: Private jet travel can accommodate individuals with special needs, offering a more comfortable and accommodating flying experience.
Emergency Response & Humanitarian Aid: During times of crisis or humanitarian efforts, private jets can be used to transport relief supplies, medical personnel, and aid workers to affected areas.
Time-Sensitive Cargo: Private jets can transport time-sensitive cargo, such as perishable goods or valuable items, to their destinations quickly and efficiently.

Understanding Commercial Airline Travel

Commercial jet travel refers to the use of commercial airlines to transport passengers between destinations on scheduled flights. These airlines operate a network of routes, serving a broad range of travellers who purchase tickets to fly on their aircraft. Unlike private jet travel, where an entire aircraft is often chartered for exclusive use, commercial jet travel involves multiple passengers sharing a single flight, and the airline sets the schedule and routes.

Catering towards nearly everyone worldwide, commercial air travel spans leisure, business, and tourism travellers. Furthermore, commercial air travel offers different travel classes to cater to the diverse preferences and budgets of passengers. These classes provide varying levels of comfort, services, and amenities. While the specific names and features of classes might differ among airlines, the following are the typical travel classes you can find in commercial air travel.

Economy Class: is the standard and most affordable option for travellers. Passengers in this class have access to basic amenities like in-flight entertainment, meals, and beverages. Seating is more compact, with limited legroom compared to higher classes.
Premium Economy Class: bridges the gap between economy and business class, offering enhanced comfort and services at a moderate cost. Passengers typically enjoy more legroom, larger seats, and improved in-flight services. Premium economy passengers might have access to priority boarding and dedicated check-in counters.
Business Class: provides a higher level of comfort, space, and services compared to economy class. Passengers often have access to larger and more comfortable seats that can recline into flat beds. Enhanced dining options, premium amenities, and dedicated cabin crew are common features of business class.
First Class: is the highest level of luxury and comfort offered on many airlines. Passengers enjoy the most spacious seats that can convert into fully flat beds, offering maximum comfort for long-haul flights. Exclusive lounges, gourmet dining, and personalized services are hallmarks of first class.

Comparing Private Jet vs. Commercial Airline Travel

So, now we have differentiated the key differences between each type of air travel, let’s dig deeper into the comparisons between each in the areas that are important to travellers.

Exclusivity vs. Accessibility

One of the most striking differences between these two modes of travel is the level of exclusivity they offer. Private jet travel epitomizes exclusivity, catering to individuals who value privacy and personalized experiences. On the other hand, commercial air travel is designed for accessibility, allowing a wide range of passengers to fly to domestic and international destinations.

Privacy & Personal Space

Private jet travel is renowned for providing unparalleled privacy and personal space. Passengers on private jets can avoid the hustle and bustle of commercial terminals, security lines, and crowded cabins. This is particularly appealing to high-profile individuals, celebrities, and executives who prioritize discretion. Commercial air travel, while lacking the same level of privacy, offers various classes that provide different levels of comfort and personal space.

Customization & Flexibility

One of the significant advantages of private jet travel is the ability to customize travel itineraries. Private jet passengers can set their departure times, choose destinations that might not be serviced by commercial airlines, and even change their plans mid-flight. This flexibility is a luxury that commercial air travel, with its fixed schedules and routes, often cannot match.

Time Efficiency

Private jet travel can save significant time due to its streamlined procedures. Passengers avoid long lines at security checkpoints and benefit from faster boarding processes, minimizing travel time. In contrast, commercial air travel might involve longer wait times, especially during peak travel seasons, and layovers that can extend the overall travel duration.

Amenities & Comfort

Private jets are renowned for their luxurious interiors and amenities, offering spacious seating, comfortable lounges, gourmet catering, and advanced entertainment systems. Commercial airlines also provide amenities, but the level of comfort and service can vary widely based on the class of travel. Economy class passengers might experience more cramped conditions compared to the spaciousness of private jet cabins.

Global Connectivity

Commercial air travel boasts an extensive network that covers numerous domestic and international destinations. This is a significant advantage for those who require access to a wide range of locations, especially for international travellers. While private jets can access more airports, commercial airlines provide comprehensive global connectivity that private jets might not match.

Health & Safety

Flying by private jet is just as safe as by commercial operators. When it comes to the risks involved the two are on an equal playing field. Ensuring you have a diligent broker is key in the private sector to ensure all the relevant inspections and maintenance have been carried out correctly on an aircraft. Combined with today’s technology, flying is extremely safe as long as the rules are followed.

pros and cons of private jet vs commercial air travel

Pros & Cons ― Private vs. Commercial Air Travel

Still not 100% sure about the pros and cons of each? No worries! We’ve put together a short summary, which provides you with a bite-sized breakdown of the key takeouts…

Private Air Travel

Timesaving: Private jets can save significant time by avoiding airport congestion and offering faster boarding procedures.
Comfort: The cabins of private jets are designed for luxury and comfort, often offering ample legroom, spacious seating, and premium amenities.
Productivity: Business travellers can maximize their productivity onboard, holding meetings and working in a distraction-free environment.
Cost: Private jet travel can be more expensive than commercial air travel, making it accessible primarily to more affluent travellers and corporations.
Limited Reach: While private jets can access more airports, they still have limitations compared to commercial airlines, particularly in terms of international destinations.

Commercial Air Travel

Cost-Effectiveness: Commercial air travel is more cost-effective for individual travellers and smaller groups.
Global Connectivity : Commercial airlines provide access to a vast number of destinations around the world, including remote and international locations.
Amenities: While the amenities might vary, modern commercial flights often include entertainment systems, in-flight meals, and Wi-Fi on long-haul flights as standard.
Crowds & Queues: Commercial airports and flights can be crowded, leading to longer wait times during security checks, boarding, and baggage claims.
Limited Flexibility: Passengers must adhere to preset schedules and routes, potentially leading to longer travel times due to layovers and connections.
Comfort Concerns: While premium classes offer enhanced comfort, standard seating on commercial flights can be cramped, with limited legroom.

comparing private jet and commercial aircraft services

When to Choose Commercial vs. Private: Situational Analysis

This is completely down to each person or company’s discretion. Budget will often be the primary consideration here, followed by the necessity for a private flight. Considering the environment is often a reason to not fly privately all the time, particularly for shorter flights with smaller travelling parties.

As a rule of thumb, choose a private flight when you prioritize privacy, flexibility, and a tailored experience, and your budget allows for it. Opt for a commercial flight when you’re looking for affordability and global connectivity, and if you’re comfortable with the standard offerings available. Consider the nature of your trip, the number of passengers, your schedule, and your comfort preferences when making your decision.

Making an informed choice is key when booking a private flight and that’s why you should always consult with a trusted air charter broker who can advise you on whether a private flight is the right choice for the trip in hand.

A private air charter broker will also advise you on which aircraft to choose, your flight schedule, and any key preferences that you have as pre, post, or in-flight options.

Keen to find out more? Get in touch with the dedicated private air charter team at Chapman Freeborn and we will happily guide you through the process and any finer details, including an estimate, or a full quote.

Latest blog posts

Chapman freeborn receives prestigious 2023 specialized charter services award, how charter flights will revolutionise your festival season, the sky-high appeal: how luxury private jets transform business travel, charter a flight to songkran festival in thailand, exploring specialized air cargo services: types & benefits, flying private to sports events in 2024, explore the benefits of air charter cargo services for businesses in the middle east, the ultimate game plan: private jet charter for march madness 2024, humanitarian and relief cargo air charters: the role of air cargo in disaster relief operations.

The Geography of Transport Systems

The spatial organization of transportation and mobility

5.1 – Transportation Modes, Modal Competition and Modal Shift

Author: dr. jean-paul rodrigue.

Transport modes are the means supporting the mobility of passengers and freight. They are mobile transport assets and fall into three basic types; land (road, rail, pipelines), water (shipping), and air.

1. A Diversity of Modes

Transport modes are designed to carry passengers or freight , but most modes combine both . For instance, an automobile has the capacity to carry some freight, while a passenger plane has a bellyhold that is used for luggage and cargo. Each mode is characterized by technical, operational, and commercial characteristics defining its market opportunities and economies of scale . Technical characteristics relate to attributes such as speed, capacity, and motive technology, while operational characteristics involve the context in which modes operate, including speed limits, safety conditions, or operating hours. The demand for transport and the ownership of modes are dominant commercial characteristics, as transportation modes are used to support economic activities and generate income.

a. Road transportation

Road infrastructures are large consumers of space with the lowest level of physical constraints among transportation modes. However, physiographical constraints are significant in road construction, with substantial additional costs to overcome features such as rivers or rugged terrain. While historically, road transportation was developed to support non-motorized forms of transportation (walking, domestic animals, and cycling at the end of the 19th century), it is motorization that has shaped most of its development since the beginning of the 20th century, particularly with the setting of national highway systems.

Road transportation has average operational flexibility as vehicles can serve several purposes but can rarely operate outside roads. Road transport systems have low barriers of entry, but high maintenance costs, both for the vehicles and infrastructures, which are related to low life spans of less than 10 years for a vehicle. They are mainly linked to light industries and freight distribution, where rapid freight movements in small loads are the norm. With containerization, road transportation has become a crucial link in freight distribution between ports and commercial hinterlands.

b. Rail transportation and pipelines

Railways are composed of a traced path for a right of way on which wheeled vehicles are bound. Rail transportation also includes monorails and maglev, which are more recent developments of guided rail technology. They have an average level of physical constraints, and a low gradient is required, particularly for freight. Heavy industries are traditionally linked with rail transport systems, although containerization has improved the flexibility of rail transportation through its connectivity with road and maritime modes. Rail is the land transportation mode offering the highest capacity, with a 23,000 tons fully loaded coal unit train being the heaviest load ever carried. Gauges , however, vary around the world, often challenging the integration of rail systems.

Pipeline routes are practically unlimited as they can be laid on land or underwater. They aim to move liquids such as petroleum products over long distances cost-effectively. The longest gas pipeline links Alberta to Sarnia (Canada), which is 2,911 km in length. The longest oil pipeline is the Transiberian, extending over 9,344 km from the Russian Arctic oilfields in eastern Siberia to Western Europe. Physical constraints are low and include the landscape and pergelisol in arctic environments. Pipeline construction costs vary according to the diameter and increase proportionally with the distance and viscosity of fluids (from low-viscosity gas to high-viscosity oil). The Trans Alaskan pipeline, which is 1,300 km long, was built under challenging conditions and had to be above ground for most of its path. Pipeline terminals are essential since they correspond to refineries and harbors.

c. Maritime transportation

With physical properties such as buoyancy and limited friction, maritime transportation is the most effective mode of moving large quantities of cargo over long distances. Main maritime routes are composed of oceans, coasts, seas, lakes, rivers, and channels. However, due to the location of economic activities, maritime circulation takes place in specific parts of the maritime space, particularly over the North Atlantic and the North Pacific. The construction of channels, locks, and dredging are attempting to facilitate maritime circulation by reducing its discontinuity, but such endeavors are highly expensive. Comprehensive inland waterway systems include Western Europe, the Volga / Don system, the St. Lawrence / Great Lakes system, the Mississippi and its tributaries, the Amazon, the Panama / Paraguay, and the interior of China.

Maritime transportation has high terminal costs since port infrastructures are among the most expensive to build, maintain, and operate. These high costs also relate to maritime shipping, where the construction, operation, and maintenance of ships are capital-intensive. More than any other mode, maritime transportation is linked to heavy industries, such as steel and petrochemical facilities adjacent to port sites. Yet, with containerization, maritime shipping has become the linchpin of globalization, allowing the trading of a wide range of goods and commodities.

d. Air transportation

The core advantage of air transportation is speed and flexibility in network configuration. Air routes are practically unlimited but denser over the North Atlantic, inside North America and Europe, and over the North Pacific. Even if planes can have a long range, the majority of services link city pairs less than 2 hours apart. Air transport constraints are multidimensional and include the site (a commercial plane needs about 3,300 meters of runway for landing and take-off), the climate, fog, and wind currents. Air activities are linked to the tertiary and quaternary sectors, notably finance and tourism, which lean on the long-distance mobility of people. More recently, air transportation has accommodated growing quantities of high-value freight and is playing an increasing role in global logistics.

e. Intermodal transportation

Intermodalism concerns a variety of modes used in combination so that the respective advantages of each mode are advantaged. Although intermodal transportation applies to passenger movements, such as using the different, interconnected modes of a public transit system, it is over freight transportation that the most significant impacts of intermodalism have been observed. Containerization has been a powerful vector of intermodal integration, enabling maritime and land transportation systems to interconnect.

f. Telecommunications

Telecommunication systems are paradoxical in terms of if they can be considered as a transport mode since telecommunications often do not have an apparent physicality. This physicality is real since they are structured as high-capacity networks with low constraints, which may include the physiography and oceanic masses crossed by fiber optic cables . They provide for the instantaneous movement of information (speed of light). Because of their limited coverage, wave transmissions often require substations, such as for cellular phone and data networks where WiFi connections are of even more limited range. Satellites are often using a geostationary orbit, which is getting crowded.

High network costs and low distribution costs characterize many telecommunication networks, which are linked to the tertiary and quaternary sectors (stock markets, business-to-business information networks, etc.). Telecommunications can provide a substitution for personal mobility in some economic sectors, but the major impact is e-commerce, which has opened a range of commercial opportunities. More recently,

Map World Maritime Shipping Lanes Bottlenecks Chokepoints

2. Modal Competition

Each transportation mode has key operational and commercial advantages and properties . However, contemporary demand is influenced by integrated transportation systems that require flexibility in the respective use of each mode. As a result, modal competition exists to various degrees and takes several dimensions. Modes can compete or complement one another in cost , speed, accessibility, frequency, safety, comfort, etc. Three main conditions ensure that some modes complement one another:

Different geographical markets . If different markets are involved, modes will enable continuity within the transport system, particularly if different scales are concerned, such as between national and international transportation. This requires an interconnection, commonly known as a gateway, where transferring from one mode to another is possible. Intermodal transportation has been particularly relevant to improving the complementarity and connectivity of different geographical markets.
Different transport markets . The nature of what is being transported, such as passengers or freight, often indicates a level of complementarity. Even if the same market area is serviced, it may not be equally accessible, depending on the mode used. Thus, in some markets, rail and road transportation can be complementary as one may focus on passengers and the other on freight.
Different levels of service . For a similar market and accessibility, two modes offering different service levels will tend to complement one another with niche services. The most prevailing complementarity concerns cost versus time.

Thus, there is modal competition when there is an overlap in geography, transport markets, and level of service. Cost is one of the most important considerations in modal choice. Because each mode has its price/performance profile , competition between the modes depends primarily upon the distance traveled, the quantities shipped, and their value. While maritime transport might offer the lowest variable costs, road transport tends to be most competitive over short distances and for small bundles of goods. A critical factor is the terminal cost structure for each mode, where the costs (and delays) of loading and unloading a unit impose fixed costs incurred independent of the distance traveled.

With increasing income levels, the propensity for people to travel rises . At the same time, international trade in manufactured goods and parts has increased. These trends in travel demand act differently upon modes. Those that offer faster and more reliable services gain over modes that might provide a lower cost but slower alternative. For passenger services, rail is challenged by road transport competition over short distances and aircraft for longer trips. Freight, rail, and shipping have been impacted by competition from road and air modes. While shipping, pipelines, and rail still perform well for bulk shipments, competition has seen road and air modes capture an important market share of the high revenue-generating goods over the last decades. Road transportation continues to dominate the passenger and freight transportation markets.

Although intermodal transportation has opened many opportunities for complementarity between modes, transport operators are now competing over many modes in the transport chain. A growing paradigm thus involves supply chain competition with the modal competition component occurring over three dimensions :

Modal usage . A competition that involves the comparative advantage of using a specific or a combination of modes. Distance remains one of the primary determinants of modal utilization for passenger transportation. However, for a similar distance, costs, speed, and comfort can be significant factors behind the choice of a mode.
Infrastructure usage . Competition resulting from the presence of freight and passenger traffic on the same itineraries linking the same nodes. Therefore, each level of capacity a mode uses is at the expense of the other mode.
Market area . Competition between transport terminals for using new locations (terminal relocation or expansion) or capturing new markets (hinterland).

It is generally advocated that modal equality (or modal neutrality ) should be part of public policy, where each mode would compete based on its inherent characteristics and merits. Since different transport modes are under different jurisdictions and funding mechanisms, modal equality is conceptually impossible, as some modes will always be more advantageous than others. Modal competition is influenced by public policy, particularly over the funding of infrastructure and regulation issues. The public sector usually provides roads, while many other transport infrastructures are financed by their operators. This is the case for rail, air, and maritime transportation. For instance, in the United States, the Federal Government would finance 80% of the costs of a highway project, leaving the state government to supply the remaining 20%. This share is 50% for public transit, while the Federal Government will not provide any funding for passenger rail. Under such circumstances, public policy shapes modal preferences.

3. Modal Shift

The technological evolution in the transport industry aims at adapting transport infrastructures to growing needs and requirements. When a transport mode becomes more advantageous than another over the same route or market, a modal shift is likely to take place.

A modal shift involves the growth in the demand of a transport mode at the expense of another, although a modal shift can involve an absolute growth in both concerned modes.

The comparative advantages behind a modal shift can be in terms of costs, convenience, speed, or reliability. For passengers, this involved a transition in modal preferences as incomes increased, such as from collective (public transit) to individual modes (motorbikes, automobiles) of transportation. For freight , this has implied a shift to faster and more flexible modes when possible and cost-effective, namely trucking and air freight. A modal shift can further be nuanced by time shift , for which the same mode takes place at another time period, likely when there is less congestion. During congestion, it is thus likely that a time shift will be preferred to a modal shift , particularly if the time shift is relatively marginal (e.g. a few hours). An individual may delay travel at a later time while a freight delivery can be rescheduled.

There are important geographical variations in modal competition . The availability of transport infrastructures and networks varies enormously, with corridors subject to the highest modal competition level. Corridors have many different modes that, in combination, provide a range of transport services that ensure an efficient commercial environment. Thus, in contrast to the European Union, China, and Japan, rail freight transport occupies a more significant market share in North America, but passenger rail has a negligible share. However, there are limited services in many parts of the world, and some critical modes, such as rail, may be absent altogether. This limits the choices for passengers and shippers and acts to limit accessibility. Passengers and freight are forced to use the only available modes that may not be the most effective to support their mobility. Areas with limited modal choices tend to be among the least developed. On the other hand, advanced economies possess a wide range of modes that can provide services to meet the needs of society and the economy.

All modes are affected by energy price volatility , particularly petroleum , from the individual car owner to the corporation operating a fleet of hundreds of aircraft or ships. Different pricing mechanisms are used, namely direct rate adjustments, as in the case of shipping, or indirect adjustments, as in the case of airlines, with the reliance on fuel surcharges when energy prices are increasing. In the context of higher energy prices and environmental concerns, and higher input costs for transportation, the following can be expected:

Higher transport costs increase the friction of distance and constrain mobility. As a major consumer of petroleum, the transport industry must increase rates. Across-the-board increases cause people to rethink their movement patterns and companies to adjust their supply chains.
Because energy costs impact modes differently, a modal shift can be anticipated. Road and air transport are more energy-intensive than the other modes, so energy price increases are likely to impact them more severely than other modes. This could lead to a shift towards water and rail transport in particular.
Higher fuel prices incite a greater fuel economy across modes. This can be achieved by reducing speed, through engine and fuel innovations, or electrification.

If a modal shift results in higher costs and less efficiency, then this shift is not sustainable. Modal shift strategies often supported by public policy goals have initial difficulties competing with existing transport alternatives. Evidence underlines that subsidies are usually required to support initial attempts at modal shifts, but if the shift needs to be constantly subsidized, it may not be a viable option.

4. Passengers versus Freight

There is a complementarity between passenger and freight transport systems . With some exceptions, such as buses and pipelines, most transport modes have been developed to handle freight and passenger traffic, but measuring performance is completely different for freight. In some cases, both are carried in the same vehicle, as in air transport, where about 80% of the freight is transported in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. In others, different types of vehicles have been developed for freight and passenger traffic, but they share the same infrastructure, such as rail and road traffic. In shipping, passengers and freight shared the same vessels and often the same terminals. Since the 1950s, specialization has occurred, and the two are now entirely distinct, except for ferries and some RORO services.

Sharing freight and passenger modes is not without difficulties , and indeed, some of the major problems confronting transportation occur when the two compete for the use of scarce transport infrastructure. For example, trucks in urban areas are seen as a nuisance and cause congestion by passenger transport users. Daytime deliveries and double-parked trucks are perceived as a particular nuisance. The poor performance of some modes, such as rail, is seen as the outcome of freight and passengers having to share routes. There is growing interest in using transit system segments to move freight, particularly in central areas. This raises the question as to what extent and under which circumstances freight and passengers are compatible. The main advantages of joint operations are:

High capital costs can be justified and amortized with a diverse revenue stream.
Operating and maintenance costs can be spread over a broader base.
The same modes or traction sources can be used for freight and passengers , particularly for rail.

The main disadvantages of joint operations are:

Unmatching demand locations . The origins and destinations of freight flows are usually quite distinct from passenger traffic.
Frequency of demand . Passengers usually need high-frequency services, while freight, except air cargo, tends to be less critical.
Timing of service . Demand for passenger services has specific peaks during the day. For freight, it tends to be more evenly spread throughout the day. Several freight operations prefer night services since they ensure that shipments arrive at their destination in the morning.
Traffic balance . On a daily basis, passenger flows tend to be in equilibrium, irrespective of the distance involved (e.g. commuting or air transportation). For freight, market imbalances produce empty flows that require repositioning assets such as trucks or containers.
Reliability . Although freight traffic increasingly demands quality service, delays (diversion from posted schedules) are unacceptable for passengers.
Sharing routes . Favors passenger traffic, with passenger trains often given priority or trucks excluded from specific areas at certain times of the day.
Different operational speeds . Passengers demand faster service but specific cargo, such as parcels, face similar requirements.
Security screening measures . Require different procedures for passengers and freight.

Consequently, the ongoing separation of passengers and freight on specific gateways and corridors likely involves a growing divergence of flows, modes, and terminals.

5. A Growing Divergence

Passengers and freight are increasingly divergent activities as they reflect different transportation markets. Passenger and freight transport are being unbundled in several modes and across many regions.

a. Shipping

It has already been mentioned that passenger services have become separated from freight operations in the maritime sector. Ferry services are the exception, where ro-ro ships on high-frequency services adapt to the needs of both passenger and freight market segments. These ferry ships can transport cars, buses, and trucks carrying freight with the respective proportions determined by the demand. Deep-sea passenger travel is dominated by cruise shipping, which has no freight-handling capabilities and cargo ships rarely have an interest or the ability to transport passengers.

Most rail systems improved passenger and freight services, maintaining both segments sharing the same infrastructures . Proportions have a strong geographical variation, with much of the developing world having passenger rail as the dominant mode for inter-city transport, particularly in India and China. In Europe, national rail systems have also prioritized passenger service to expand regional mobility. Significant investments have improved the comfort of trains and passenger rail stations, but most notable has been upgrading track and equipment to achieve higher operational speeds. Rail freight transport has tended to lose out because of the emphasis on passengers since such systems were optimized for passenger flows. Because of their lower operational speeds, freight trains are frequently excluded from day-time slots, when passenger trains are most in demand. Overnight journeys may not meet the needs of cargo owners. This incompatibility is a factor in the loss of freight business by most rail systems still trying to operate freight and passenger operations.

The separation between freight and passenger rail business in North America is the most extensive. Private railway companies could not compete against the automobile and airline industry for passenger traffic and withdrew from the passenger business in the 1970s. They were left to operate a freight-only system, which has generally been successful, especially with the introduction of intermodality. Public agencies have taken over the passenger business, AMTRAK in the US, and VIA Rail in Canada. The major problem is that they have to lease trackage from the freight railways; thus, slower freight trains are prioritized.

Freight and passenger vehicles still share the roads. The growth of freight traffic is increasing road congestion, and in many cities, concerns are being raised about the presence of trucks. There are already restrictions on truck dimensions and weights in certain parts of cities, and there are growing pressures to limit truck access to non-daylight hours. For example, certain highways exclude truck traffic, which is likely to become a growing trend; the need to separate trucks from passenger vehicle traffic. This separation can be spatial (separate roads or lanes) or temporal (evening deliveries).

d. Air transport

Air transport is the mode where freight and passengers are the most integrated. First, they share the same terminal facilities, although there is a specialization with some airports focusing on freight activity. Yet, even here, a divergence is being noted. The growth of all-freight airlines and freight-only planes operated by some major carriers, such as Singapore Airlines, is a trend. The interests of the shippers, including the timing of the shipments and the destinations, are sometimes better served than in passenger aircraft. The divergence between passengers and freight is also accentuated by the growing importance of charter and low-cost carriers. Their interest in freight is minimal, especially when their business is oriented toward tourism, as tourist destinations tend to be lean freight-generating locations.

Bibliography

BTS [Bureau of Transportation Statistics] (2006) America on the Go: Long Distance Transportation Patterns: Mode Choice.
Donovan, A. (2000) “Intermodal Transportation in Historical Perspective”, Transportation Law Journal, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp 317-344.
ITF (2022) Mode Choice in Freight Transport, ITF Research Reports, OECD Publishing, Paris.
Sultana, S. and J. Weber (eds) (2017) Minicars, Maglevs, and Mopeds: Modern Modes of Transportation around the World, Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.

Personal Transportation Factsheet

In the U.S., the predominant mode of travel is by automobile and light truck, accounting for 87% of passenger miles traveled in 2020. 1 The U.S. has just over 4% of the world’s population, but has 12% of the world’s cars, compared to 19.6% in China, 5.7% in Japan, 4.4% in Germany, and 4.9% in Russia. 2,3 The countries with the most growth in registered cars since 1990 are China (18%), India (9.8%), and Indonesia (9.6%). 3 The transportation use patterns that follow indicate that the current system is unsustainable.

Patterns of Use

Miles traveled.

Total U.S. person-miles traveled in 2020 were 4.95 trillion. 1
U.S. population increased 36% from 1990 to 2022. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) increased 35% over the same time period. 1,2,4
69% of the total annual vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. occur in urban areas. 1

Vehicles and Occupancy

In 1977, the U.S. average vehicle occupancy was 1.87 persons per vehicle. 5
In 2019, average car occupancy was 1.5 persons per vehicle. 3
In 2020, the U.S. had 276 million registered vehicles and 228 million licensed drivers. 1
In 2017, 24% of U.S. households had three or more vehicles. 6

Average Fuel Economy

The average vehicle fleet fuel economy peaked at 22.0 miles per gallon (mpg) in 1987, declined until the early 2000s, then increased again surpassing 22.0 mpg in 2009. 7
The average fuel economy for a 2021 model year vehicle was 25.4 mpg: 31.8 mpg for a new passenger car (sedan/wagon and car SUV) and 23.0 mpg for a new truck (truck SUV, minivan/van, and pickup). 7
Given the legislation in place, the U.S. has some of the lowest fuel economy standards of any industrialized nation, well below the European Union, China, and Japan. 8

MPG by Model Year, 1975-2021 7

Vehicle Size

From 1990 to 2021, average new vehicle weight increased 25% (due to SUV market share growth), horsepower increased by 87%, and acceleration increased (i.e., 0-60 mph times dropped) by 33%. 7
During the same period, the average weight of a new passenger car increased 12%, while the average weight of a new pickup truck increased by 32%. 7
SUVs, vans, and pickups accounted for 63% of new vehicles sold in the U. S. in 2021. 7
A study from the University of Michigan recommends following green lightweighting principles to reduce vehicle mass and improve energy efficiency. 9

Market Share by Vehicle Type, 1975-2021 7

The transportation sector makes up 28% of total U.S. energy use. Since 1990, the energy use in the transportation sector grew by 20%, though the share of U.S. energy used for transportation increased by 1 percent. 3
In 2019, American cars and light trucks used 15.1 quadrillion Btus of energy, representing 15% of total U.S. energy consumption. 3
In 2022, 94% of total primary energy used for transportation came from fossil fuels; 90% of total primary energy was from petroleum. 10
The transportation sector accounted for 28.5% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2021—1,804 million metric tons (Mt) CO2e. 11
In 2021, passenger cars and light-duty trucks were responsible for 374 Mt CO2e and 672 Mt CO2e, respectively, together making up 58% of U.S. transportation emissions and 16% of total U.S. emissions. 11

Life Cycle Impacts

A typical passenger car is responsible for various burdens during its lifetime (raw material extraction through end-of-life). Most of these impacts are due to fuel production and vehicle operations. Vehicle lifetime energy use for fuel production and vehicle operations is 1.22 and 4.54 MJ/mi, respectively, while energy use for material production, manufacturing, maintenance, and end-of-life combined is only 0.56 MJ/mi. 12

Total Life Cycle Burdens, 2016 Mid-Size Sedan 12

Solutions and Sustainable Alternatives

Reduce vehicle miles traveled.

Live closer to work. Driving to/from work represents 30% of vehicle miles driven, and the average commute is 12 miles. 3 Consider telecommuting or working from home if possible.
In 2020, 74.9% of workers in the U.S. commuted by driving alone, and only 9% of workers carpooled (a drop from 19.7% in 1980). 3 Joining a carpool can help lower household fuel costs, prevent GHG emissions, and reduce traffic congestion.
Roughly one-fifth of vehicle trips are shopping-related. Combine errands (trip chaining) to avoid unnecessary driving. 3
In 2019, traffic congestion caused Americans to spend an extra 8.7 billion hours on roads and burn an additional 3.5 billion gallons of gas. Using alternative modes of transportation, such as bikes, buses, or trains can reduce GHG emissions and decrease wasted time and money. 13
Micromobility (e.g., bikes, scooters, etc.) and shared transportation services (e.g., bike shares) have grown rapidly in recent years. In 2019, 136 million trips were taken by shared micromobility users, more than 6 times the number of trips taken in 2015. 3

U.S. Modes of Transportation to Work, 2020 3

Energy Intensity of U.S. Passenger Travel, 2019 3 (With average persons per vehicle in parentheses)

Promote Energy Efficiency

Consider buying a vehicle that is best-in-class for fuel economy. Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy jointly publish the Fuel Economy Guide, which ranks the most efficient vehicles in production. 14
Drive responsibly. Aggressive driving habits can lower fuel efficiency by 10% to 40%, and speeds over 50 mph significantly lower gas mileage. 15
Gallons per mile (gpm) is a better indicator of fuel efficiency than mpg. For example, upgrading from a 16 mpg to 20 mpg vehicle saves 125 gallons of fuel over 10,000 miles, whereas upgrading from a 34 to 50 mpg vehicle saves 94 gallons over 10,000 miles. 16
Improvements in information technology related to vehicles such as automation and platooning will likely reduce energy wasted from drivers stuck in traffic. 17
When driving electric vehicles, use battery charging best practices to maximize battery life and minimize GHG emissions. 18

Encourage Supportive Public Policy

Dense, mixed-use communities encourage foot and bike travel while reducing time between residences, businesses, and office spaces.
In 2012, the Obama National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) set stringent fuel economy and GHG emissions standards. 19 In 2020, the Trump NHTSA and EPA significantly weakened these standards. 20 In 2022, the Biden administration directed the NHTSA to revise the current standards. The final rule set the fuel economy standards to approximately 49 mpg for passenger cars and light trucks by 2026. 21 The next set of fuel economy and GHG standards, for new sales in Model Year 2027 and later, will determine whether U.S. light vehicles can do their fair share toward meeting long-term climate goals. 22
Some believe that fuel economy standards tied to vehicle size could incentivize a market shift toward larger vehicles (current trend). A University of Michigan study predicted vehicle size increases of 2-32%, which could undermine the progress made in fuel economy by 1-4 mpg. 23

Center for Sustainable Systems, University of Michigan. 2023. "Personal Transportation Factsheet." Pub. No. CSS01-07.

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) (2023) Highway Statistics 2020.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2023) The World Factbook.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Oak Ridge National Lab (2022) Transportation Energy Data Book Edition 40.
U.S. Census Bureau (2000) Intercensal Estimates of the United States Resident Population by Age and Sex: 1990-2000.
U.S. DOT (1981) Vehicle Occupancy: Report 6, 1977 National Personal Transportation Study.
U.S. DOT (2019) 2017 National Household Travel Survey.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2022) The 2022 EPA Automotive Trends Report.
International Council on Clean Transportation (2020) Passenger vehicle fuel economy.
Lewis, G., et al. (2019) Green Principles for Vehicle Lightweighting
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) (2023) Monthly Energy Review May 2023.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2023) Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2021.
Argonne National Laboratory (2023) The Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies Model (GREET) 2022.
Schrank, D., et al. (2021) 2021 Urban Mobility Report. Texas Transportation Institute.
U.S. DOE and U.S. EPA (2023) Fuel Economy Guide.
U.S. DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (2018) “Driving More Efficiently.”
Larrick, R. and J. Soll (2008) “The MPG Illusion.” Science, 320(5883): 1593-94.
Shoup, D. (2006) Cruising for parking. Transport Policy, 13(6): 479-486.
Woody, M., et al. (2021) Charging Strategies to Minimize Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Electrified Delivery Vehicles
The White House Office of the Press Secretary (2012) “Obama Administration Finalizes Historic 54.5 MPG Fuel Efficiency Standards.”
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S. EPA (2020) The Safer Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule for Model Years 2021–2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks ; Final Rule. Federal Register, 85:84.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (2022) Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2024-2026 Passenger Cars and Light Trucks ; Final Rule. Federal Register, 87:84.
Environmental Protection Network (EPN) (2021) EPN Comments on Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards.
Whitefoot, K. S., & Skerlos, S. J. (2012) Design incentives to increase vehicle size created from the U.S. footprint-based fuel economy standards. Energy Policy, 41, 402–411.

Thank you for responding to our survey!

Experts Say This Is the Safest Mode of Transportation During COVID-19

By William J. McGee

Car Winding Road Europe United Kingdom England Derby

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As the coronavirus pandemic rages on into its fifth month of lockdowns and canceled events, pent-up demand has many wondering about the safest way to travel, among the options that make the most sense now. Condé Nast Traveler consulted medical, travel, and statistical experts to weigh the relative risks when traveling by commercial airlines, Amtrak, and private cars during this pandemic—and they’re largely in agreement on which choices are best.

It's worth noting that these recommendations assume equality between choices. For example, some may not have the time to drive, while others may not have the money to fly, and of course it’s not an option to take a train from California to Hawaii. But for travelers able to choose among the three, the experts can help you decide the transportation method with which you're most comfortable .

To travel or not to travel

First things first: You need to determine who should travel, and if the trip is even necessary. The World Health Organization provides detailed advice on “essential travel” and lists those who should postpone or cancel trips, including older travelers and those with chronic illnesses, underlying health conditions, and confirmed diagnoses of COVID-19. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control’s “ Considerations for Travelers—Coronavirus in the U.S. ” page states: “Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. People at higher risk for severe illness need to take extra precautions.”

“I think we’re still learning a lot about this virus’s ability to transmit infectivity, plus the pre-symptomatic infection spread is daunting,” says Chris Hendel, a long-time medical researcher associated with the USC Gehr Family Center for Health Systems Science and Innovation.

What follows are breakdowns applicable to all three travel modes: air, rail, and highway.

The pros and cons of air travel

Risk of contracting the virus when traveling on airline starts at the airport. The CDC notes on its website that “air travel requires spending time in security lines and airport terminals," which "can bring you in close contact with other people and frequently touched surfaces." Once on board the plane, social distancing could be difficult, depending on the airline's policy. On crowded flights, where you might have to sit within less than six feet for hours, your chances for risk of exposure could go up.

But there’s also good news. “Most viruses and other germs do not spread easily on flights because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes,” according to the CDC. That's because the majority of aircraft in airline fleets have high-grade HEPA filters (high-efficiency particulate air) that can remove up to 99.999 percent of airborne particles. This provides extremely effective, but not perfect, protection against airborne viruses. Close contact between those on board in the aisles or while boarding—especially if some fliers aren't wearing masks—can mean exposure when air passengers exhale and, potentially, to the virus as well.

Compounding these concerns is that the U.S. Department of Transportation has failed to mandate any regulations for commercial air travel nationwide. In July the DOT issued a 44-page set of recommendations for commercial air travel, but since these are only suggestions and not enforceable, the nation’s airports, airlines, and passengers are left with a patchwork of different, and ineffective opt-in rules. In practical terms, this means airline policies on face coverings vary, and in some cases are not enforced. Members of Congress, flight attendant and pilot unions, as well as passenger advocates are calling on the DOT to mandate uniform protocols, and Consumer Reports has launched a petition that has more than 60,000 signatures.

What’s more, among the nation’s four largest airlines, currently two— Delta and Southwest —are blocking middle seats. But the other two— American and United —are not blocking them. Adding to the confusion is the fact that such seating policies also vary among smaller and foreign carriers.

This is particularly important because a recent study by Dr. Arnold Barnett, professor of Statistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, found that on U.S. jet aircraft, “the risk of contracting COVID-19 from a nearby passenger is about 1 in 4,300." On planes with blocked middle seats, "that risk falls to about 1 in 7,700,” the study says. In fact, the coronavirus mortality risks for air travelers are now “considerably higher” than the threat of an airline crash, according to Barnett's study, a rather startling conclusion considering the usual statistical safety of commercial flight.

Trains have some safety advantages over planes.

The pros and cons of train travel

Amtrak offers health advantages that airlines can’t. Many stations are outdoors, there are fewer bottlenecks for check-in, and no security screening. Even so, the CDC does warn that “traveling on buses and trains for any length of time can involve sitting or standing within six feet of others.”

Last week a team of researchers from China and the U.K. published a lengthy analysis of the risk of COVID-19 transmission among train passengers. “Our study shows that although there is an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission on trains, a person’s seat location and travel time in relation to an infectious person can make a big difference as to whether it is passed on,” wrote the study's lead investigator, Shengjie Lai of the University of Southampton.

In this regard, Amtrak already has an advantage over most commercial aircraft since there are no middle seats on its trains. And a new initiative on Amtrak’s reserved trains is that bookings are limited, so that passengers traveling alone will have an empty adjacent seat. Also, Amtrak—like many airlines—states it has taken measures such as enhanced cleaning and mandatory face coverings for passengers and crew.

The Best New Restaurants in the World: 2024 Hot List

CNT Editors

May 2024 Horoscope: This Month, Travel Will Be Joyful

Steph Koyfman

Inside Richard Branson’s Private Island Paradise of Lagoons, Lemurs, and Wind Turbines

Shannon McMahon

Jim Mathews, president and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association, notes that an Amtrak coach changes the air about 12 to 15 times per hour, and supplies 15 pounds of fresh air per minute per passenger; social distancing and masks are critical factors as well. Overall, Mathews is optimistic. “We are reasonably confident Amtrak’s measures will be effective, with the proviso that they are actually followed.”

The pros and cons of car travel

When it comes to driving, the obvious advantage is that you can control who gets into the vehicle with you. But the CDC warns there could be other unforeseen risks. “Making stops along the way for gas, food, or bathroom breaks can put you and your traveling companions in close contact with other people and surfaces,” the agency notes. That said, your own car can provide much more protection than public forms of transportation, assuming you are traveling with family members or others who have been screened or vetted.

But what if it’s not your car? In the case of rental vehicles, major firms such as Avis , Enterprise , and Hertz have all pledged enhanced cleaning and social distancing upon check-in. Enterprise details 21 separate automotive parts that are sanitized, from mirrors to cupholders.

Which form of transportation is the safest way to travel?

Barnett, the MIT professor, expanded his analysis of airline empty middle seats by formulating a statistical study on traveling by car, exclusively for Traveler . “Assuming that the driver and passengers do not have COVID-19, the [highest] mortality risk of a 1,000 mile trip would arise from auto accidents," he says. "Assuming that those who would fly are relatively safe drivers, an estimate of the risk tied to U.S. auto deaths per billion miles driven in 2018 would be about one in three million. That is lower than the COVID-related death risk associated with a 1,000 mile flight, which I estimate as 1 death per 600,000 passengers if the plane is 2/3 full. The huge safety advantage of flying 1,000 miles nonstop rather than driving, pre-COVID, has disappeared as of August 2020.”

USC’s Hendel agrees. “If you have to—and can afford it—I think traveling by car is the safest option right now, in part because you’re not traveling with another person whose risk of infection may be unknown," he says. "Essentially you aren’t sharing the breathing space with someone who could be infected. But of course, one needs to be very cautious about stopping while traveling by car. I think train travel might possibly have an edge over air travel. Regardless, everyone should be wearing a mask on the train or in the plane.”

And Dr. Karl Neumann, a pediatric travel expert and founder of the site KidsTravelDoc.com is blunt in assessing the risks for children. “Amtrak is better than air travel, but car travel is much better than airlines and trains,” he says. “The most important [protections] are proper spacing and masks.”

Other tips to consider

If you’re traveling on any form of public transportation, the earliest departures of the day are best, since airplanes, trains, and buses are more likely to be heavily disinfected overnight.
Carry extra masks/face coverings, gloves, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer (with at least 60 percent alcohol).
On an airplane or train, wipe down your immediate area, including armrests, seat backs, tray tables, seatbelts, air vents, window shades, light controls, etc.
In a rental car, wipe down “touch points” such as steering wheel, gear shift, door/window/seat handles and controls, seatbelts, mirrors, radio and control knobs, visors, etc.

We're reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find all of our coronavirus coverage and travel resources here.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

The Safest Ways to Travel: Comparing Modes of Transportation

Zackary Hooper

When planning your next trip, have you ever wondered about the safest way to travel ? I know I have, and that’s why I dug into some impressive data about transportation safety. This article is going to guide you through the different modes of transportation – from bus travel to commercial flights and everything in between.

Table of Contents

Ready for an informative journey ? Let’s dive straight in!

Key Takeaways

Commercial flights are the safest mode of transportation, with extremely rare fatalities and impressive safety features.
Bus travel is four times safer than passenger rail and offers a reliable alternative to driving your own vehicle.
Passenger rail travel is considered one of the safest ways to travel , with lower death rates compared to personal vehicles.

Safest Modes of Transportation

The safest modes of transportation include commercial flights, bus travel, and passenger rail.

Commercial flights

Commercial flights top the chart as the safest mode of transportation . Data from the Bureau of Transportation highlights that fatalities are extremely rare in air travel, given its low accident rate .

Even with thousands of planes crisscrossing our skies every single day, airplane incidents make headlines mainly due to their rarity. Safety features and rigorous checks in aviation have ensured fewer chances of anything going wrong mid-air or after take-off.

Notably, when we consider passenger miles traveled, airplanes have impressive fatality rates that outshine other modes like buses or trains. So even if you’re uneasy about flying, know that commercial planes offer a high degree of safety !

Bus travel is often seen as a safe mode of transportation. When compared to passenger rail travel, buses are four times safer. This means that the risk of accidents and fatalities is significantly lower when traveling by bus.

Data from the Bureau of Transportation shows that bus travel has a much lower death rate compared to personal vehicles . Additionally, flying is considered the safest mode of transportation overall, but buses still offer a reliable and secure way to get from one place to another without having to worry about the risks associated with driving your own car.

Passenger rail

Passenger rail travel is often considered one of the safest ways to travel . Compared to personal vehicles, both rail and bus travel have much lower death rates. While bus travel is four times safer than passenger rail , trains still offer a reliable and secure mode of transportation .

Data from the Bureau of Transportation shows that flying is the safest mode overall, but if you prefer ground transportation, passenger rail can be a great option for safe and comfortable travels .

Factors Influencing Safety

Factors that can influence the safety of different modes of transportation include fatality rates, concentration of vehicles, and statistics from 10 years of data.

Fatality rates

When it comes to evaluating the safety of different modes of transportation, one important factor to consider is fatality rates . Fortunately, over the past few decades, fatality rates across all modes of transport have significantly decreased.

However, certain modes of travel still present a higher risk than others. For example, data from the Bureau of Transportation shows that flying is the safest mode of transportation when it comes to fatalities.

Personal light-duty vehicles, on the other hand, pose the greatest risk of death. Rail and bus travel have much lower death rates compared to personal vehicles. So if you’re looking for a safe way to get around, it’s worth considering these fatality rates as part of your decision-making process.

Concentration of vehicles

In considering the safety of different modes of transportation, it’s important to take into account the concentration of vehicles . This refers to how many vehicles are on the road, track, or in the air at any given time.

When there is a high concentration of vehicles , such as during rush hour traffic or peak travel seasons, there is an increased risk of accidents and collisions . On the other hand, when there are fewer vehicles on the road or track , the chances of accidents decrease significantly.

It’s essential to consider this factor when evaluating the safety of various modes of transportation and making informed decisions about which option to choose for your travels.

Statistics from 10 years of data

As a travel enthusiast, I can’t help but look at the compelling data which gives an insightful understanding of the safest modes of transportation. Let’s take a peek at the statistics from the last 10 years.

This table makes it clear that air travel is indeed the safest mode of transportation, with the fewest fatalities in a decade . It’s interesting to see that personal vehicles consistently clock the highest death rates , while the numbers for train and bus travel remain comparatively low.

Comparing Safety Across Modes of Transportation

Let’s compare the safety of different modes of transportation and find out which one is the safest.

Fatalities by passenger miles

When it comes to measuring the safety of different modes of transportation, one important factor to consider is fatalities by passenger miles . This statistic provides an insight into how many deaths occur per unit of distance traveled.

By analyzing this data, we can determine which modes of travel are the safest in terms of fatalities. For example, according to recent statistics from the Bureau of Transportation, airplanes have the lowest fatality rates when considering the number of passengers transported over a given distance.

This means that flying is considered one of the safest ways to travel in terms of deaths per mile traveled.

Fatalities by passenger hours

When comparing the safety of different modes of transportation, it’s important to consider fatalities based on passenger hours. This metric takes into account both the number of deaths and the amount of time passengers spend traveling .

By doing so, we can get a better understanding of which modes of transport are safer for passengers overall.

Looking at the data, air travel consistently emerges as the safest option when considering fatalities by passenger hours . Commercial flights have very low fatality rates compared to other forms of transportation.

This means that even though accidents may be rare in other modes such as bus or rail travel, they still don’t match up to the safety record of airplanes.

Why Air Travel is the Safest Mode of Transportation

Air travel has the lowest chance of incidents compared to other modes of transportation, making it a reliable and secure choice for travelers. Interested in learning more about why air travel is considered the safest option? Keep reading!

Low chance of air and space transport incidents

Air travel is widely regarded as the safest mode of transportation due to its low chance of incidents in the air and space. Data from the Bureau of Transportation shows that flying has the lowest fatality rates when compared to other modes of transport .

In fact, airplanes have been proven to be the safest means of transportation. Compared to car safety, flying presents minimal chances of resulting in death . When considering travel options, it’s clear that air travel offers a significantly lower risk compared to other modes of transport.

Comparison to car safety

In terms of safety, flying is the clear winner when compared to car travel. Statistics from the Bureau of Transportation show that flying has minimal chances of resulting in death , whereas traveling by personal light-duty vehicles presents the greatest risk.

Additionally, data reveals that rail and bus travel have much lower death rates compared to driving a car . With these facts in mind, it’s clear that choosing air travel over driving can significantly reduce your risk of being involved in a fatal accident .

Conclusion on Safest Ways to Travel

When it comes to choosing a safe mode of transportation, commercial planes are the clear winner , with lower fatality rates compared to other modes. Data shows that flying is the safest way to travel , particularly when considering the number of passengers transported .

Bus travel also emerges as a safer option compared to passenger rail travel . So next time you’re planning a trip, consider hopping on a plane or bus for a safer journey .

FAQs on Safest Ways to Travel

1. which mode of transportation is considered the safest.

Air travel is generally considered the safest mode of transportation due to strict safety regulations and advanced technology.

2. Is driving a car safer than flying in an airplane?

No, statistically speaking, flying in an airplane is typically safer than driving a car.

3. What safety measures are in place for train travel?

Train travel often adheres to strict safety standards, including regular maintenance checks, trained operators, and safety features such as emergency brakes and evacuation plans.

4. Are there any differences in safety between public transportation and private vehicles?

Public transportation tends to have more safety protocols in place, such as regular inspections and driver training programs, compared to private vehicles where adherence to safety measures can vary depending on individual drivers.

About the author

I’ve been fortunate to visit over fifty countries, each journey leaving a unique footprint on my life’s map. From bustling cities to serene nature trails, I’ve immersed myself in different cultures and experiences, constantly broadening my understanding of the world. On this site, I share my travel stories, tips, and insights, hoping to inspire others to embark on their own journeys. Join me as we uncover the beauty of our planet, one adventure at a time. Please reach out here if you need to get in touch.

Latest posts

The 10 Best Portable Safes for Travel in 2023: Keep Your Valuables Secure on the Go

Traveling with valuables can be stressful, as losing or misplacing them can derail your exciting plans. I’ve been there too, and understand the worry associated with this issue but did you know the best portable safes for travel are highly recommended for keeping items secure on the go? This article will enlighten you about the…

The Importance of Responsible and Sustainable Travel for a Thriving World

Are you a travel enthusiast who craves for new experiences yet worries about the impact your adventures could have on our planet? You’re not alone. This blog post, rooted in research and experience, explores responsible and sustainable travel as a solution to this dilemma. It’s packed with insights on how to experience the world without…

Important Things to Keep in Mind While Traveling

Ever tried to navigate the complex world of planning a perfect trip and felt overwhelmed? I’ve been there too, overwhelmed by travel checklists, nervous about safety guidelines, and trying to balance out my luggage. Studies show that proper preparation can reduce travel stress significantly which led me to curate this guide to help you. This…

By Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser

Transport allows people to move across cities, countries, and continents. It allows us to trade goods and products across the world by road, rail, sea or air.

It has become an essential part of our lives, whether it’s getting to work or school; delivering essential services or necessities to different communities; or connecting people and industries across the world. It’s now a key driver of economic development.

But transport also negatively affects our health and the environment through road injuries and fatalities, air pollution , and CO₂ emissions which drive climate change .

On this page, you can find data, visualizations, and writing on transport patterns across the world, how this is changing, and its environmental impacts.

Research & Writing

Tracking global data on electric vehicles

Explore data on electric car sales and stocks worldwide.

Hannah Ritchie

What share of global CO₂ emissions come from aviation?

Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions. But it has contributed around 4% to global warming to date.

Which form of transport has the smallest carbon footprint?

How can individuals reduce their emissions from transport?

Transport and CO₂ emissions

Cars, planes, trains: where do CO2 emissions from transport come from?

Global inequalities in CO₂ emissions from aviation

Where in the world do people have the highest CO2 emissions from flying?

Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse gas emissions come from?

Transport, food, and co₂ emissions.

You want to reduce the carbon footprint of your food? Focus on what you eat, not whether your food is local

Very little of global food is transported by air; this greatly reduces the climate benefits of eating local

Interactive charts on transport, cite this work.

Our articles and data visualizations rely on work from many different people and organizations. When citing this topic page, please also cite the underlying data sources. This topic page can be cited as:

BibTeX citation

Reuse this work freely

All visualizations, data, and code produced by Our World in Data are completely open access under the Creative Commons BY license . You have the permission to use, distribute, and reproduce these in any medium, provided the source and authors are credited.

The data produced by third parties and made available by Our World in Data is subject to the license terms from the original third-party authors. We will always indicate the original source of the data in our documentation, so you should always check the license of any such third-party data before use and redistribution.

All of our charts can be embedded in any site.

Our World in Data is free and accessible for everyone.

Help us do this work by making a donation.

The Safest Transport Modes, Ranked by Statistics From 10 Years of Data

By turbli , on 10 January 2022

10 years of US transport safety data

The analysis is done for the US only, using the data provided by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) . Since transportation safety changes over time, we selected the most recent 10 years with available data: 2010-2019.

The vehicles analyzed are presented below:

Other means of transport such as freight boats, recreational boats, light rail, etc. are not included due to the lack of data to perform an adequate analysis.

For interested readers, all the assumptions made when data was missing have been places in an Appendix at the end of the article.

fatalities from different transportation modes between 2010-2019

The fatalities presented here only include the occupants of the vehicles . Deaths from pedestrians, cyclists, trespassers, etc are not included. To improve the visualization, the figures are shown in logarithmic scale , meaning that the bars change size with by factors of 10 rather linearly.

Looking at the fatalities alone, we can clearly see that land vehicles accumulate the largest share. Train, planes and ferryboat have much lower numbers in comparison. Private planes have a striking difference with commercial or commuter planes, reaching 100 times more fatalities.

The fact that only 16 people have died in commercial aviation already shows how safe this transport is. Between this period, there have been more than 100 million plane departures in the US.

Normalizing the data

passenger miles from different transportation modes between 2010-2019

The total number of fatalities is not a good measure to determine if one means of transport is safer than another. This is because those used more often can accumulate more fatalities than those used less. By dividing (normalizing) the number of fatalities by different factors, a better comparison can be achieved.

In this article we will show the fatalities data normalized by passenger miles and passenger hours.

Fatalities by passenger miles

A common normalization factor for transport are the vehicle miles. That is, the sum of all miles traveled by all the vehicles of a specific means of transport over a period of time.

Vehicles miles = Sum of all miles traveled by all vehicles

While this factor gives as an idea of how much each transport type is used, it does not take into account that some vehicles carry many more passengers than others . This should be taken into account since, to transport 1000 people from point A to point B, many car trips would be needed, increasing the risk compared to train or planes. This leads to the normalizing factor of passenger miles .

Passenger miles = Vehicle miles x Passengers per vehicle

If you were to travel a given distance from point A to B, the fatalities per passenger miles shows which transport is the safest.

Looking at the data, we can see that motorcycles are by far the most dangerous transport. Bus, train and ferryboats appear much safer. Flying has long been considered as very safe too, but here we can see that not all flight modes are equal. Flights done with private owned planes are 10 times more dangerous than cars!

Despite having only 16 deaths over the past 10 years, commuter flights also show a high fatality rate. This is due to their low passenger miles, meaning that this transport is not as used as the larger commercial flights.

If you don’t take commuter flights and don't own a private plane, then I have good news for you: commercial flights are the safest means of transport! They are 1,700 times safer than car , and 100,000 times safer than motorcycle.

Fatalities by passenger hours

Another useful metric is the passenger hours . That is, the sum of all hours traveled by all vehicles of a transportation means.

Passenger hours = Vehicle hours x Passengers per vehicle

This factor can be used to compare how risky it is to sit a fix number of hours in different transports. For example, 5 hours in a motorcycle vs 5 hours in a plane. Of course, the plane will take you for a longer distance than the motorcycle, but it’s still a useful metric to compare the safety of one situation to another .

The results are similar to those from passenger miles. Motorcycle maintains the position as least safe transport, whereas bus, train and ferryboat continue with low numbers

Are commuter flights as risky as cars?

timeline of fatalities for different transportation modes between 2000-2019

The fatality rates for commuter planes seem very high. But are these estimates accurate? The problem is that these planes don’t accumulate many passenger miles, meaning that we don’t have much data to get a good estimate.

Cars accumulate the highest value of passenger miles. Combined with the relatively high risk of cars, this leads to a very stable and predictable number fatalities each year. Commuter planes are used much less, resulting in an intermittent number of fatalities per year: 1 death in 2015 and 8 in 2016. This is an increase of 800 %!

Therefore, even if we take the average of 10 years to compute the fatality rate of commuter planes, the result can be affected by an isolated event with high fatalities, not representative of the actual safety. To obtain a more accurate estimate, we would simply need a higher use of this transport.

loading luggage at Papa Westray Airport in Scotland

Despite having a low sample size to determine how risky commuter flights are, the current set suggests that they might be more risky than larger commercial flights . To put it in perspective, we would need 1,500 more deaths per year in commercial flights to reach a fatality rate similar to commuter planes. This is about 40 full plane crashes in a decade, and in 2010-2019 there were zero.

The reason for the higher risk of commuter flights is not clear for us . Since this category includes small cargo flights, it could be that the fatalities are due to handling of the cargo. A larger usage of this transport would be needed to get better conclusions.

The safest transport: commercial flights

The data on commercial flights has similar issues than commuter flights. The probability of a fatality is so low that, despite accumulating such enormous amount of flight hours, many more would be needed to obtain a more acculturate value. An added problem is that a single crash of a plane generates a large spike in the fatalities, whereas a motorcycle crash leads to a small increase of just one or two.

In any case, even if an accurate value is hard to obtain, commercial flights remain as the safest transport .

This can be seen in the data from 2000-2009 , where the fatalities per passenger miles were 0.07. This is higher than the current 0.002 value, but still much lower than cars . The reason for the higher values of the previous decade were two full crashes which occurred in 2001, killing about 500 people. Still, the fact that having these two crashes led to such low fatality rate of 0.07 (100 times lower than car), highlights how safe commercial planes are.

Quick lines on commercial flights safety

Private flights are risky.

Contrary to commuter or commercial flights, the fatality rate on private planes is expected to have a low statistical error due to the observed stability in the number of deaths each year. Therefore, private planes should actually be 10 times more dangerous than cars.

The reason for the higher risk is attributed to the lower preparation and less strict regulations than in commercial flights. Just as a reference, a pilot for a commercial airline needs a training of 3 years, whereas a private pilot license can be obtained in 6 months. On top of that, maintenance of the planes is much more regulated in the commercial airlines.

Recreational boating also showed a very high number of fatalities compared to passenger boats or freight ships. Unfortunately, the fatality rate of these was not added due to the lack of data on the passenger miles.

Conclusions

Commercial flights are the safest transport mode. In the past decade, there hasn’t been a single full plane crash in the US. The fatalities rate during this past decade so low that even if you fly your during your entire life, you only have 1 out of 1,500 chances of dying.

On the other hand, private flights are about 10 times more dangerous than car. Train and bus are similarly safe as commercial flights. As train can cover large distances, it can be an alternative for people who fear flying.

The points below show the assumptions done when data on fatalities, passenger miles or passenger hours wasn’t available.

Land vehicles : There is no data on passenger hours for land vehicles. Therefore, the average speed given in the Journal of Transport Statistics was used in combination with the passenger miles to obtain them: car 34.4 mph, light vehicle 31.8 mph, motorcycle 38.4 mph, heavy truck 33.6 mph, bus 21 mph.

Bus : fatalities data missing from 2019 is carried over from 2018.

Train : There is no data on passenger hours for trains. The average speed of commuter trains is available at BTS, about 32 mph. The average speed of Amtrak is assumed to be 84 mph, based on data from the Northeast Corridor . These two speeds are combined to make an average speed of trains.

Flights : Data on passenger miles is not available. An average number of passengers per plane was assumed for each to obtain it. Commercial flights were taken as 100. Commuter flights 9, which would be the maximum number of people allowed in this category, therefore giving a lower estimate on the fatality rate. For private flights, data on passenger miles available at BTS until 2001 is used to estimate an average number of passengers of 3.5 and an average speed of 135 mph, needed to get the passenger hours. For all flights, data missing in 2011 is taken from 2010.

Ferryboat : The number of fatalities is not taken from BTS since this one aggregates from other transportation such as inclined plane and cableway. Data is aggregated from the Federal Transit Administration . To get the passenger hours, the average speed available at BTS of 8.5 mph is used.

US Bureau of Transportation Statistics. National Transportation Statistics .

US Federal Transit Administration. Annual National Transit Summaries and Trends .

Savage I., 2013. Comparing the fatality risks in United States transportation across modes and over time . Research in Transportation Economics, 43, 9-22.

This site uses cookies

We use first and third-party cookies to gather statistical data on the website usage, users demographics, interests and for retargeting people with similar profiles. For more information, please access our privacy policy .

Cookie preferences

Necessary cookies

These cookies are needed for the proper and secure functioning of the site, such as remembering your privacy settings or storing security tokens.

Performance cookies

We use Google Analytics to gather anonymous statistical data on the website usage. This helps us improve the website by adapting it to our user's needs.

Targeting cookies *

We use Google Analytics Advertising Features to gather statistical data on our users demographics and interests and to send personalized advertising to people with similar profiles. This feature uses third-party cookies. * Requires performance cookies to function correctly

IMAGES

Create the perfect design by customizing easy to use templates in
travel landing page design to capture lead and boost your business
Poster Design, Logo Design, Graphic Design Tips, Graphic Design Posters
2,260+ Travel Agency Customizable Design Templates
Create a Travel Agency Advertisement in Photoshop
3 Travel Agency Social Media Ads Banner Design PSD Template Free

COMMENTS

How to Fill Up SG Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors
Fill in the date of your arrival in Singapore and your mode of travel if it is by air, land, or sea. Then click Confirm. On the following page, you need to select whether your mode of travel is commercial or private. If you select commercial, you also need to select the flight code (airline) as well as the flight number.
Private Vs Commercial
Now, private carriers like Tropic Ocean Airways have increased their safety and cleaning procedures to offer an experience that allows guests to travel with the ease and comfort. Also, while many large hotels and resorts remain closed, private carriers are able to bring guests directly to smaller resorts, private villas and private yachts ...
PDF Army PCS TrAvel vouCher Guide
Station (PCS) indicates the date the CP - Commercial airfare (traveler purchased) "Reason for Stop" (Two letter code) AD: Authorized Delay is used for overnight stays or if delayed at airport over midnight. AT: Awaiting Transportation is used when waiting for other modes of travel. This is usually conducted in same day
Private Jet Travel vs Commercial Air Travel ― A Complete Guide
Cost: Private jet travel can be more expensive than commercial air travel, making it accessible primarily to more affluent travellers and corporations. Limited Reach: While private jets can access more airports, they still have limitations compared to commercial airlines, particularly in terms of international destinations. Commercial Air ...
PDF Commercial Travel Information Management (CTIM) Preparation
5 28 1 MODE OF TRAVEL Enter alpha code from the list below to indicate the mode of travel. "A" to indicate air travel "B" to indicate bus travel "R" to indicate rail travel "W" to indicate water travel (cruise/ferry/water taxi) "O" to indicate a record without associated air, bus, rail, or water travel (e.g.; car only, hotel
PDF DoD Defense Travel System (DTS) Best Practices Guide
3.6 Finance Defense Travel Administrator. A Finance Defense Travel Administrator (FDTA) is a person in the budget, resource management, accounting, or finance field that is responsible for assisting in the management and support of DTS at the organizational level as designated by the responsible commander.
PDF DTA Manual, Appendix K: DTS Tables
Travel from the traveler's home of record or a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to a basic training organization. Generally one-way and completed within 12 hours or less. ACCESSION TRAVEL - NO ENT N/A Per the JTR, the Trip Type will no longer exist in DTS. Previously defined as - Travel from the traveler's home of record or MEPS to a
5.1
Transport modes are the means supporting the mobility of passengers and freight. They are mobile transport assets and fall into three basic types; land (road, rail, pipelines), water (shipping), and air. 1. A Diversity of Modes. Transport modes are designed to carry passengers or freight, but most modes combine both.
Mode of transport
A mode of transport is a method or way of traveling, or of transporting people or cargo. The different modes of transport include air, water, and land transport, which includes rails or railways, road and off-road transport.Other modes of transport also exist, including pipelines, cable transport, and space transport. Human-powered transport and animal-powered transport are sometimes regarded ...
PDF Defense Travel System (DTS) Guide 2: Authorizations
as the preferred transportation mode to and from the TDY location. In the JTR, par. 0202 Transportation, it states, "If the traveler selects an alternate mode than as specified in par. 020203, then they must demonstrate to the AO's satisfaction that the selected mode of travel was the most efficient or economical option reasonably available."
Commercial Aviation vs. Private Air Travel: A Comparison
Commercial air travel is the traditional mode of transportation for companies that need to send their executives across the country or the globe to do business in person. But it may surprise you just how much time is wasted going the commercial air travel route. Commercial: Typical commercial air travel comes with a host of time delays, ...
Personal Transportation Factsheet
Personal Transportation Factsheet. In the U.S., the predominant mode of travel is by automobile and light truck, accounting for 87% of passenger miles traveled in 2020. 1 The U.S. has just over 4% of the world's population, but has 12% of the world's cars, compared to 19.6% in China, 5.7% in Japan, 4.4% in Germany, and 4.9% in Russia. 2,3 ...
Mode of travel Definition
Mode of travel shall be determined by your supervisor or designee. Mode of travel will be based on the availability of transportation, distance and number or persons traveling together. Mode of travel refers to means of transport used by visitor (s) to travel in a trip. Mode of travel is also a critical factor in estimating existing and future ...
Experts Say This Is the Safest Way to Travel During COVID-19
What follows are breakdowns applicable to all three travel modes: air, rail, and highway. ... of recommendations for commercial air travel, ... distancing upon check-in. Enterprise details 21 ...
Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Transportation Options
Short Flights: For example, domestic flights within a European country, or flights within a U.S. state have the highest individual carbon footprint.; Medium Flights: For example, international travel within Europe, or between U.S. states, have a significantly lower carbon footprint per person.; Long Flights: Flights over 3,700 km (2,300 mi), about the distance from Los Angeles to New York ...
The Safest Ways to Travel: Comparing Modes of Transportation
Key Takeaways. Commercial flights are the safest mode of transportation, with extremely rare fatalities and impressive safety features. Bus travel is four times safer than passenger rail and offers a reliable alternative to driving your own vehicle.; Passenger rail travel is considered one of the safest ways to travel, with lower death rates compared to personal vehicles.
Constructed Travel
The Constructed Travel Worksheet is used to compare costs between travel modes. Once completed and uploaded in DTS, an Authorizing Official (AO) uses information from the worksheet to determine the authorized travel mode and establish any limits on reimbursement. The same worksheet is used for pre-travel and post-travel constructed comparisons ...
Private Jet vs. Commercial: A Comparison
Private jet travel, as championed by industry veterans like Magellan Jets, is the epitome of luxury, flexibility, and personalization. Commercial flight travel, on the other hand, offers affordability and mass accessibility. Let's compare these two modes of air travel, covering the pros and cons of each.
PDF DTA Manual, Appendix C: Definitions
The maximum travel time allowed. It is determined before travel begins and is based on the mode of travel authorized in the orders. Authorizing Official (AO) The official who directs travel and is responsible for the funding. This person is known as an AO. For DTS is the official designated in writing at the final step of
Commercial vs. Private Flying: What Are the Differences?
Commercial airliners will only have access to larger airports. If a traveler is flying to attend meetings that may be far from the nearest city or large airport location, some significant driving time is going to need to be tacked on to the total travel time. Alternatively, a private jet can be utilized to fly into a closer, smaller airport.
Transport
Transport allows people to move across cities, countries, and continents. It allows us to trade goods and products across the world by road, rail, sea or air.. It has become an essential part of our lives, whether it's getting to work or school; delivering essential services or necessities to different communities; or connecting people and industries across the world.
PDF Contingency Travel Voucher Guidance
The most commonly used Codes for Meansof Travel in 15c are Government (G), Commercial (C) and Privately Owned Conveyance (P). The most common Mode of travel is automobile (A) and plane (P). An example of the proper 15C codes are GP (government plane), CP (commercial plane) and PA (privately owned conveyance (POV)).
The Safest Transport Modes, Ranked by Statistics From 10 Years ...
Savage I., 2013. Comparing the fatality risks in United States transportation across modes and over time. Research in Transportation Economics, 43, 9-22. Commercial planes are the safest mode of transport, followed by bus and train. In the US, during 2010-2019, there have only been 16 deaths caused by these flights.

How to Fill Up SG Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors

Never Miss An Update

What Do You Need When You Fill Out and Submit SG Arrival Card?

When Can You Submit SG Arrival Card?

How to Fill Up Singapore Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors

What Vehicle Number Should I Input If I Am Arriving By Train Or Bus?

If you are traveling to Singapore by train/rail

If you are traveling to Singapore by bus

What Mode Of Travel Should You Indicate If You Are Entering Singapore By Foot

100 thoughts on “How to Fill Up SG Arrival Card for Foreign Visitors”

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Before You Fly + Travel Updates

15 Sep Private vs. Commercial Travel – what’s the difference?

Request a quote

Select a form

Private jet charter

Group air charter

Flight support

Private Jet Travel vs Commercial Air Travel ― A Complete Guide

In an increasingly interconnected world, air travel has become an essential mode of transportation for many. When it comes to flying, individuals and businesses have two primary options: private jet travel and commercial air travel.

Understanding Private Jet Travel

Potential Users of Private Jet Travel

Understanding Commercial Airline Travel

Comparing Private Jet vs. Commercial Airline Travel

Pros & Cons ― Private vs. Commercial Air Travel

When to Choose Commercial vs. Private: Situational Analysis

Latest blog posts

5.1 – Transportation Modes, Modal Competition and Modal Shift

1. A Diversity of Modes

a. Road transportation

b. Rail transportation and pipelines

c. Maritime transportation

d. Air transportation

e. Intermodal transportation

f. Telecommunications

2. Modal Competition

3. Modal Shift

4. Passengers versus Freight

5. A Growing Divergence

a. Shipping

d. Air transport

Related Topics

Bibliography

Share this:

Personal Transportation Factsheet

Patterns of Use

Vehicles and Occupancy

Average Fuel Economy

MPG by Model Year, 1975-2021 7

Vehicle Size

Market Share by Vehicle Type, 1975-2021 7

Life Cycle Impacts

Total Life Cycle Burdens, 2016 Mid-Size Sedan 12

Solutions and Sustainable Alternatives

U.S. Modes of Transportation to Work, 2020 3

Energy Intensity of U.S. Passenger Travel, 2019 3 (With average persons per vehicle in parentheses)

Promote Energy Efficiency

Encourage Supportive Public Policy

Experts Say This Is the Safest Mode of Transportation During COVID-19

To travel or not to travel

The pros and cons of air travel

The pros and cons of train travel

The pros and cons of car travel

Which form of transportation is the safest way to travel?

Other tips to consider

The Safest Ways to Travel: Comparing Modes of Transportation

Key Takeaways

Safest Modes of Transportation

Commercial flights

Passenger rail

Factors Influencing Safety

Fatality rates

Concentration of vehicles

Statistics from 10 years of data

Comparing Safety Across Modes of Transportation

Fatalities by passenger miles

Fatalities by passenger hours

Why Air Travel is the Safest Mode of Transportation

Low chance of air and space transport incidents

Comparison to car safety