With recent aerial mishaps, travelers are increasingly exercising the power of choice—specifically, the type of aircraft they fly on. Travel site Kayak’s aircraft filter, a feature since 2019, has seen a meteoric 15-fold spike in usage after the incident involving an Alaska Airlines’ plane.

This surge has propelled Kayak to enhance the filter’s visibility and ease of use. Now, passengers can deftly sidestep certain models, notably the grounded 737 Max 9, a move once typical of only the most experienced flyers. The result? A heightened sense of control and confidence for the safety-conscious traveler.

Airlines feel the turbulence, too; United Airlines has signaled a profit warning, noting the weight of these choices on their bottom line. And the timing couldn’t be more pressing—recent reports of a rogue nose wheel from a Delta Air Lines jet making a solo roll on the tarmac suggest that this filter will only continue to be a go-to feature for flyers.

Sources include: The Guardian