In the aftermath of major airline incidents, the media’s tendency to sensationalize minor mishaps can appear almost comical. The Alaska Airlines door plug incident of January 5, 2024, serves as a prime example: suddenly, every cracked windshield, fuel leak, or routine medical diversion became headline news, as if every hiccup in the air warranted blockbuster coverage. From clogged toilets to unruly passengers, the media seems to forget the thousands of uneventful flights that occur daily.

In today’s digital age, news outlets are driven by the allure of advertising revenue on social media platforms, prioritizing sensationalism over accuracy and objectivity. To combat this trend, responsible reporting should provide context and perspective within the broader safety framework of the aviation industry. This approach would reassure the public about flying safety and mitigate availability bias, where events are judged based on their ease of recall from memory.