Cover Image for Travelers are confronting their anxiety about flying through the internet.
Wed Feb 19 2025

Travelers are confronting their anxiety about flying through the internet.

Memes about flying are everywhere.

Recently, aviation incidents have been consistently making headlines, especially since the onset of the Donald Trump administration. The most shocking episode occurred last month when a U.S. Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines flight near Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, resulting in the tragic death of 67 people. This event was significant as it marked the first fatal accident involving a commercial aircraft in the country in approximately 16 years.

In a series of unfortunate events, on Monday, a Delta flight that took off from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport overturned upon landing in Toronto. Additionally, other serious accidents have been reported, such as a medical jet that had a fatal mishap in Philadelphia and a deadly incident in Alaska. Today, another plane crash was recorded in Arizona, raising public concern regarding air safety.

This situation is exacerbated by the controversy surrounding the Government Efficiency Department led by Elon Musk, which has laid off hundreds of employees from the Federal Aviation Administration. These events have heightened anxiety among travelers, who seek relief from their discomfort through memes and jokes on social media.

Humor has become a coping mechanism for the widespread nervousness about flying, with users sharing amusing thoughts on the flying experience in the current context. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the online community finds ways to laugh and confront their fear.