Worried about flying? How to avoid faulty planes on your next flight

This January, Alaskan Airlines flight 1282 made worldwide news after its emergency exit door suffered a "mid-flight blowout." 

Shortly after, all other 737 Max 9 aircraft were grounded and have remained since the incent. 

But if you're still nervous about flying on a Boeing flight during your next trip, here are a few ways to learn more about the aircraft you'll be spending time on. 

If your calendar's marked, your packing list is done, and you've already got an upcoming flight, don't worry. 

Depending on your airline, you can check your booking to see the type of aircraft reserved for your flight. You can often see the type of aircraft on your ticket in advance. 

Just check your ticket in your airline app or in the booking confirmation email you got when you bought your ticket. The location and information provided may vary on the airline or service you booked through. 

If you're flying in the US, there are really only two brands of aircraft you're likely to fly - AirBus and Boeing. While Boeing has been under the microscope since the incident in January, flying in a Boeing plane is not an automatic recipe for danger. 

But if you're uncomfortable with the aircraft and there's enough time before your trip to cancel or change your travel plans, you can do so through the airline. 

If you've got an upcoming trip and are avoiding 737s like a long bathroom line at the airport, there are a few ways to know what you're getting long before it's time to fly. 

Whether you use a booking service or go directly through the airline, listings provide the aircraft type before you complete the transaction. The trick is knowing where to look. 

One booking site in particular makes this much easier. Kayak allows you to include or exclude specific aircraft models in your search. But if you have a specific time you need to arrive or depart, that could limit your options.

In all the booking services we checked, we were able to find the aircraft type before the checkout stage. Look for clickable "details" links or links with flight numbers and plane icons.

While the incident in January was shocking, there's no need to cancel your flights or change your plans. Flying can be scary for many travelers, especially with this kind of news circulating. But all the offending aircrafts have been grounded for several months and chances of something like this happening again are slim.

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