Is American Airlines safe? Yes, American Airlines is overall considered to be a safe carrier. In 2024, it earned a 7/7 safety rating from AirlineRatings.com, signifying adherence to high-level safety checks and an untainted incident history. American Airlines has not suffered a fatal accident since 2001. American Airlines carried about 211 million passengers in 2023 and spent more than 510,000 hours training on safety matters. A 2021 U.S. Department of Transportation report revealed weaknesses in FAA oversight of American Airlines' maintenance programs, resulting in instances where aircraft flew without required repairs. Notwithstanding these issues, American Airlines has established sound safety programs and enjoys a strong safety culture and record.​