Airline Pilots Report High Rates of Anxiety, Alcohol Misuse

French survey finds more than one-third meet the standard for ‘risky alcohol use.’

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, June 04, 2025 at 07:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

Pilots in a cockpit. [Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

A survey of French airline pilots revealed high rates of mental health issues, with 40% reporting alcohol misuse, 25% suffering from anxiety, and 13% experiencing depressive symptoms.
Socioeconomic stress and demanding flight schedules were identified as factors increasing pilots' risk for anxiety, and depression was linked to alcohol misuse.
A significant number of pilots (28%) feared reporting psychological problems due to concerns about losing their license, underscoring the need for confidential support systems.
The study emphasizes the necessity for preventative mental health programs and secure methods for pilots to address issues without jeopardizing their careers.

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A recent survey of airline pilots in France turned up high rates of self-described anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse.

Researchers recruited 1,220 airline pilots from the French pilots union SNPL and had them fill out a questionnaire focusing on their mental health and well-being. The results, published in Frontiers in Public Health in May, showed more than one-third of the pilots (40 percent) misused alcohol in the last year, though less than 1 percent described themselves as dependent.