In just a few days it’ll be September 11, 2026, which is also the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It’s wild how that was 25 years ago (I realize a whole generation of younger people weren’t even around then), and it’s also an incredibly somber occasion.
I’ve flown on September 11 many times over the years, without thinking twice about it. This year is different, and I intentionally planned my travel to avoid it. I’m by no means suggesting this is rational — quite to the contrary, I recognize it’s irrational — but I can’t help but feel more comfortable skipping US airports on that day this year.
I’m intentionally avoiding flying on September 11 this year
As mentioned above, I’ve flown on September 11 many times in the past, and it’s mostly a day like any other from a travel perspective. I’ve seen some “moments of silence” in the terminal to commemorate the timing of the planes hitting the Twin Towers, and there’s definitely more of a solemn vibe, but that’s about it.
I’m jetting off later this week on a quick review trip, and I was about to ticket my outbound flight for September 11, without thinking much of it. However, something made me feel a bit uneasy about it, for a reason I can’t easily put into words.
I say that as someone who typically puts zero thought into airline safety, and who is willing to fly virtually any airline. I tend to think that even the unsafest airline is safer than the car ride to and from the airport, so I try to be rational in that sense.
I certainly don’t want to put any bad energy out there, and it’s not like I have any inside information (so don’t come knocking on my door, FBI), but let me explain my general thought process. It’s obviously the 25th anniversary of 9/11, a major milestone. On top of that, the United States is more or less at war with Iran.
While we haven’t seen any major attacks involving airplanes in decades, we also know there are quite a few vulnerabilities in the system. I tend to think the lack of attacks comes down to a combination of good high level intelligence, plus a lack of actual intent to plan such an attack. I mean, I don’t think anyone believes that all of our checked bags or carry-ons are being screened with anywhere close to 100% accuracy.
Again, let me be very clear — it’s not that I actually think anything bad will happen, and I certainly hope it doesn’t. It’s just that I’m a little uneasy for some reason, because I figure this is about a “high risk” of a 9/11 anniversary as we’ve seen. The irrational side of my brain looked at a ticket I was about to book, and said “meh, let me just push it back by a day.” Maybe I’m also just becoming a bit more timid, now that I’m a dad of two.
Every traveler should do what gives them peace of mind
Obviously the biggest thing that comes to mind with 9/11 is the immeasurable loss and tragedy that so many families faced. I don’t in any way want to make this about me, because me having a weird feeling flying on a certain day shouldn’t really matter to anyone else.
But I do think this gets at a bigger point. Often people will ask me whether a certain airline or destination are safe. As I see it, there are two aspects to this. First, is the experience objectively safe based on data? Second, does the experience make you feel uneasy for whatever reason, even if you can’t explain it?
When I fly a seemingly “random” airline, some people are concerned that might be unsafe, due to lack of familiarity. That concern is fair, but it’s not something I even think about, because I’d like to think I’m rational about that. At the same time, I think it’s important to emphasize that everyone should travel in a way that makes them comfortable.
If flying a certain airline makes you uncomfortable or scared, then there’s no reason to subject yourself to that. We can all set our own boundaries on things, and I think that’s totally fair.
I can be quirky in this way, I have to admit. As I’ve covered before, a bit over a decade ago I checked into a fairly new hotel in Abu Dhabi, and something about the room just felt off. I just didn’t feel comfortable staying in the room, and I wasn’t sure why.
So I went to the front desk and asked if I could get a different room. It’s kind of hard to make that request without sounding a little nuts, but hey, if you don’t feel comfortable staying somewhere, it’s better to raise a concern early.
Bottom line
September 11, 2026, is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. While I’ve traveled on September 11 many times over the years, for some reason this year is different. It’s the first time I’ve ever given a second thought to seeing September 11 on a flight itinerary, and I decided to just push things back by a day.
I don’t claim it’s rational, but somehow it gives me more comfort. And I say that as someone who has flown millions and millions of miles, and who doesn’t really get spooked in any way by air travel…
Anyone else adjusting travels based on 9/11 this year? Either avoiding it, or maybe intentionally booking it, in hopes of airports being a bit quieter?
I guess this is sort of like many Asian's won't travel on the 4th of the month. Some hotels in Australia now skip floors 4,13,14,24...
I remember being booked on a WN BOS-TPA flight on 09/11/2002 - one year later. I paused when I realized it was the first anniversary, and even asked my wife what she thought about the matter. She responded to do what feels right. I flew. The TPA airport at 10am felt more like 3am - virtually no one in the terminal. 1st ... 25th ... same thing. You need to move on with your life,...
I remember being booked on a WN BOS-TPA flight on 09/11/2002 - one year later. I paused when I realized it was the first anniversary, and even asked my wife what she thought about the matter. She responded to do what feels right. I flew. The TPA airport at 10am felt more like 3am - virtually no one in the terminal. 1st ... 25th ... same thing. You need to move on with your life, and remember the less fortunate who perished that day in whatever a respectable way works for you and them.
what happened about the room in Abu Dhabi? Unexplained writing.
Best excuse to Invade Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries. 9/11 continues to pay Dividends to people that already made Billions on Security Apparatus at ALL World Airports. For Example
a) Michael Chertoff was incharge of DHS after Tom Ridge. Chertoff has made Billions via his interests in Airport Scanners and other security related companies.
b) Larry Silverstein Doubled his insurance on WTC right before 9/11. He made easy 3 Billion Dollars right...
Best excuse to Invade Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran and other countries. 9/11 continues to pay Dividends to people that already made Billions on Security Apparatus at ALL World Airports. For Example
a) Michael Chertoff was incharge of DHS after Tom Ridge. Chertoff has made Billions via his interests in Airport Scanners and other security related companies.
b) Larry Silverstein Doubled his insurance on WTC right before 9/11. He made easy 3 Billion Dollars right after 9/11.
c) Why did Israeli Airline Leave WTC right Before 9/11
d) Building 7 was never Hit By a Plane or anything else, How did that Building Implode?
@9/11 continues to pay Dividends, I'll give you "Invade Iraq, Afghanistan" but nope on the rest, Mr. Conspiracy Theorist.
Let's break down point by point:
(a) Most politicians in US History have been associated with Military Industrial Complex, one way or the other.
(b) No he didn't. He just asked for double insurance payout considering twin collapse as dual events. Court ruled it as single.
(c) There was no and never have been any Israeli Airline in WTC
(d) Buddy. Please read about induction effect. While we are at it,...
Let's break down point by point:
(a) Most politicians in US History have been associated with Military Industrial Complex, one way or the other.
(b) No he didn't. He just asked for double insurance payout considering twin collapse as dual events. Court ruled it as single.
(c) There was no and never have been any Israeli Airline in WTC
(d) Buddy. Please read about induction effect. While we are at it, you might also want to evaluate the conspiracy behind Dominoes game.
I am not even a US citizen, never have been there. And still this is real basic stuff.
the real terror threat is someone who thinks "unsafest airline" is proper english (sorry ben, but, come on man)
Except..."unsafest" is really a word, awkward as it may sound. I would say "most unsafe" myself, but yeah, here we are...
i'm not saying it isn't a word (and obviously knew it was one). i'm simply saying that one's using it in that manner demonstrates a disappointing unfamiliarity with good writing (or, shall we say, the bestest writing)
also, jesus, you'd say most unsafe? the "proper" thing would be least safe. come on
YES! I typically enjoy the topics Ben covers on his site. He's an enthusiast, like me, so I usually appreciate his stories.
That being said, when Ben slaughters the English language with words like "unsafest" instead of "least safe," I just shake my head. However, his worst recurring writing tic is his use of the phrase "I mean..." Ben can't go more than a few posts without subjecting us to this hackneyed phrase.
I...
YES! I typically enjoy the topics Ben covers on his site. He's an enthusiast, like me, so I usually appreciate his stories.
That being said, when Ben slaughters the English language with words like "unsafest" instead of "least safe," I just shake my head. However, his worst recurring writing tic is his use of the phrase "I mean..." Ben can't go more than a few posts without subjecting us to this hackneyed phrase.
I understand why people use this in conversation, either written or spoken, because it's used to clarify, soften or intensify in an informal manner. But it strikes me and so many others as LAZY writing. Ben, please, try harder.
I'm pretty sure that if some terrorists ever decided to do an anniversary attack, it would be of a completely different nature.
Fear by its definition is irrational.....
Why the 25th anniversary is a major milestone? What about the 20th? Did you fly back then? And the 30th?
I'm far more worried about the state of air traffic control than the state of air transport security. There are so many near misses nowadays and we constantly hear about antiquated technology and overworked ATC staff. How many near misses have we heard about regarding terrorists caught sneaking weapons aboard planes lately? Doesn't mean it can't happen, but it seems to me that we have so many vulnerabilities that would be easier for terrorists to exploit.
Eskimo comment about ATC in 3..2..1
I don’t think it’s irrational at all. Improbable maybe but not irrational.
I also don’t think the next terror attack will look anything like the last one. Hijacking an airplane isn’t as doable as it was in 2001.
Flying a drone into an engine or a shoulder fired rocket or missile is much more likely. All the TSA security theater won’t help much in that category.
Safe travels.
I won't NOT FLY due to possibility of terrorist activity, but i WON'T fly on 9/11:
- I was flying on 9/11/01
- I has a coworker die on the jet that crashed into the field
- I had several close friends working in the Pentagon when it was hit
- Muslim extremist groups DO like to choose the anniversary of an event to make their statement (look at the Bengazi attack.......
I won't NOT FLY due to possibility of terrorist activity, but i WON'T fly on 9/11:
- I was flying on 9/11/01
- I has a coworker die on the jet that crashed into the field
- I had several close friends working in the Pentagon when it was hit
- Muslim extremist groups DO like to choose the anniversary of an event to make their statement (look at the Bengazi attack.... it was going to happen.... but the date was intentional)
Not flying at all would let the bad guys win.
Not flying on the 11th is purely out of remembrance AND caution
I think you’re making all this up and I think it’s disgusting.
I definitely don't have a problem with this, and I'm certainly aware that it's a solemn anniversary, but, that being said, I just don't see any way that a similar terrorist attack could happen again. If there were one, it likely wouldn't involve hijacking oneself into the cockpit of an airliner.
I'm not flying anywhere because I'll be at a hospital getting a scan of my thyroid. At least I'll be in the right place if something goes wrong.
Hope it goes well.
It's just a twenty minute ultrasound follow-up on a goiter they found years ago that defied cause and classification. No cancer and the thing's shrunk tremendously. Even diseases hate me and don't want to be around me.
I was living in Manhattan at the time. Not only the event but what it did to the airline industry for years afterwards. I will be flying. A big F U to those that hate this country, including the mayor who despite asking not to be there will make his presence known.
"A big F U to those that hate this country, including the mayor who despite asking not to be there will make his presence known."
Would you like a tissue, snowflake?
He's the mayor of New York City. Just because a bunch of racists don't like him or don't want him to be visible (If they don't see him, he doesn't exist? Sounds like a case for Schrodinger.) doesn't mean he doesn't exist or shouldn't be a part of 9/11 memorials.
Cry some more.
He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted. I guess according to you their wishes should not be honored. He's a spoiled grifter that likes playing King.
I remember living in NYC during the late 90s and through the 00s. No craziness on the subway. The few homeless you would see were docile. I'd think nothing of walking home late at night. People were proud of how low crime was...
He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted. I guess according to you their wishes should not be honored. He's a spoiled grifter that likes playing King.
I remember living in NYC during the late 90s and through the 00s. No craziness on the subway. The few homeless you would see were docile. I'd think nothing of walking home late at night. People were proud of how low crime was in the city and how livable it became and that the belief all cities would be crime ridden was a myth. But then again people like you desire total chaos.
I wonder if his religion has anything to do with it?
George, I respect your perspective on what the city was like back then. While I don't share your view of our current leadership or where the city stands today (both of which I think are doing well), I get how your time here left a lasting impression. I just think that looking back on 25 years, our focus should be on rising above the hate rather than fueling it. Safe travels.
"He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted."
Did ALL the victim families said so?
What if some victim families WANT him there, and by duty he IS the mayor.
Self centered hypocrite snowflakes.
Just like how you remember NYC in the 90s and completely forgot about the 80s.
"He was told by the widows that his presence was not wanted."
Who cares? Seriously. Who cares?
He was told by the victims' children that they would be honored to have him there.*
You're saying the widows win? What about the children? The parents? In laws? Whose votes count more? Do fill us in on how the attendance votes count so we can satisfy your rules.
*I made that up to make the point.
Are you sure they weren't referring to former mayor Rudy G (with his shoe-polish hair dye) who has disgraced himself so many times in the intervening years.
FYI, Georgie, dozens if not hundreds of Muslims died in the World Trade Center attacks.
There is a REASON why New Yorkers elected Mayor Mamdani despite his religion. It's that they can see beyond religion to who someone really is. Maybe you should try it, too.
Well 40% didn't see through his religion.
Thanks for sharing. . NEVER FORGET
Forget what?
This is how the terrorists win.
And unfortunately it worked.
All good, Ben. No one should feel pressured to travel. It's often a privilege, and we shouldn't take our safety (and health, mental and physical) for granted. Personally, was not in NYC during 9/11 (thankfully), but have lived here, on and off, nearly 10 years; witnessed the rebirth of Downtown, including the new WTC complex (in fact, they just started the new 2 WTC, which will be the new Amex HQ; still waiting on the...
All good, Ben. No one should feel pressured to travel. It's often a privilege, and we shouldn't take our safety (and health, mental and physical) for granted. Personally, was not in NYC during 9/11 (thankfully), but have lived here, on and off, nearly 10 years; witnessed the rebirth of Downtown, including the new WTC complex (in fact, they just started the new 2 WTC, which will be the new Amex HQ; still waiting on the new 5 WTC, which should be residential). If you haven't been, highly recommend the Memorial and museum during your next visit to NYC; the Perelman Performing Arts Center is also excellent. Folks, try to be respectful. Take care out there, everyone!
I have a work trip to Germany and will be flying on 9/11. I had not even thought about it from a safety standpoint. Nor will I. The reality is that anything can happen at anytime...that is the only rational conclusion. As well, if you're a terrorist, I highly doubt you want to pick such an obvious day when of course security will be tightened.
Here's the thing, while we could have terrorist attacks, airline cockpit doors can no longer be forced open the way they were 25 years prior. Enjoy your flight to Germany!
Wouldn't have stopped me if my plans happened to overlap, but I kinda sorta get it.
Anyways, even *if*, the odds of being caught up in anything are too slim to bother trying to avoid.
So what makes 25th so different?
Or are you avoiding every 9/11 from now on?
I have multiple flights on 9/11 this year.
I didn't even notice it was 9/11 when I booked them.
As you say, to each their own. Although I think a Kenya Airways E190 from Nairobi to Nampula is unlikely to be a target of anything.
@ Sean M. -- Hah! For the record, this is intended to be US specific, which I didn't do a good job clarifying. I wouldn't think twice about booking a non-US airline outside the US.
@Sean M - you'd better watch out, I think there's a warning about a planned mosquito attack in Kenya that day. Also the day before, and the day after, and....
Safe travels to Mozambique, Sean!