Getting on a plane? The terrifying statistic you don't want to know – now revealed

A survey of approximately 7,200 pilots in Europe reveals that 76.8% reported brief episodes of falling asleep during a flight. Only 37.2% report fatigue that impairs their fitness to fly. The German pilots' union calls on airlines and authorities to take action.

A new European survey, involving approximately 7,200 pilots, reveals that 76.8% of them reported at least one brief episode of falling asleep (micro-sleep) during a flight in the four weeks prior to responding. The data was published on October 26 by the German pilots' union, VC, conducted by Baines Simmons for the European pilots' union, ECA. It also shows that 38.8% of respondents said they usually or always do not get enough rest, and only 37.2% report fatigue that impairs their fitness to fly. 24.2% reported that they continue to fly despite fatigue without reporting it. The German union argues that the problems from the previous 2023 survey have not yet been resolved, and calls on airlines to improve fatigue prevention and on regulatory authorities to enforce protections for aircrews.