In response to recent aviation incidents, there's been a notable shift in consumer behavior towards seeking more information about the aircraft they fly on:

Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing's 737 factory and now executive director of The Foundation for Aviation Safety, acknowledges this trend, pointing out that consumers are becoming increasingly informed. However, Pierson highlights the unfortunate reality that consumers shouldn't have to navigate such concerns when it comes to air travel safety.

Kayak, a popular travel search engine, has witnessed a surge in users seeking information about different aircraft models following incidents like the door-plug blowout:

Steve Hafner, CEO of Kayak, notes that while the overall number of users filtering out the 737 remains relatively small, there has been a significant increase in usage since the Alaska Airlines incident in January. However, Hafner and aviation experts caution that airlines frequently substitute planes at the last minute, potentially leading passengers to inadvertently end up on Boeing aircraft despite their preferences.

It's crucial to recognize that alternatives to Boeing planes are limited, with Airbus and occasionally Embraer being the other common options for major carriers. Some airlines, such as Spirit and JetBlue, do not operate Boeing planes at all, while others, like Southwest, exclusively operate Boeing 737 fleets. This limited choice can pose a challenge for travelers seeking to avoid Boeing aircraft due to safety concerns.

Stephanie Walls, an IT project manager from Houston, exemplifies this growing apprehension:

Despite her established routines aimed at alleviating flight anxiety, Walls recently changed her flight to Philadelphia to be on an Airbus, emphasizing the urgent need for significant changes in Boeing's safety protocols to restore consumer confidence.

Similarly, Adrian Rojas, a communications consultant from Chicago, shares concerns about flying on Boeing's Max series. He made the decision to change his upcoming flight from Austin, Texas, to an Airbus instead of a 737 Max, citing mental health reasons.

Even passengers who typically feel at ease during flights are altering their travel plans due to safety concerns. Leonyce Moses, a consultant from Richmond, Virginia, recently paid extra to switch her upcoming Phoenix trip to an Airbus instead of a Boeing plane, prioritizing her safety despite acknowledging the overall safety of aviation.

While clinically diagnosed extreme fear of flying:

known as aerophobia or aviophobia, is rare, a significant portion of the population experiences anxiety about flying. Elizabeth Austin, an assistant professor of psychiatry at UMass Chan Medical School, emphasizes the treatability of this condition through cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapy. She supports individuals with a fear of flying opting for different aircraft, stressing the importance of acknowledging the minimal risks associated with air travel while addressing individual anxieties