I don’t think I’ve ever made a flight decision based on the safety of a particular airline type. I prefer certain types for long hauls as well as caring about seat configuration and schedule/price. But I figure getting back and forth to the airport is more dangerous.

> I don’t think I’ve ever made a flight decision based on the safety of a particular airline type.

Neither had I, until I took a Tupolev jet between Moscow and India. I then decided I would never fly another aircraft that wasn't certified to fly in American and European airspaces. The reason for this was that I had trust in the FAA's and European aviation authory's standards and integrity. That trust has been greatly eroded (particularly with the FAA) for me.

I've definitely looked up plane models, I've looked at airline records. Just this month I re-booked to asia via South Korea instead of Qatar because my flight went over Iran or near the border on the flight maps and the assassination was <24 hours old. I ended up in a middle seat trans pacific instead, but I don't regret that decision in hindsight at all.

Most people I know look up the aircraft type on sites like SeatGuru to choose the best seats, or at least to avoid the worst. They also have a preference in aircraft, e.g. couples prefer 2+2 seating over 3+3, or jet over turboprop.

They probably don't know the scanners radiate you, as well as the sun.

Having money/status to travel doesn't == intelligence, unfortunately.