Reported laser strikes on aircraft in U.S. airspace are down for the third straight year, but the figure is still too high for comfort, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Transportation agency confirmed that pilots have reported 4,470 laser strikes in 2026, a 24 percent decrease from this time last year and down significantly from an all-time high of 13,304 in 2023.
In addition to being a safety threat, shining a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime. People caught shining lasers at aircraft face fines of up to $11,000 per violation, in addition to federal criminal penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, on top of state and local penalties.
According to the FAA, pilots have reported 322 injuries since tracking began in 2010.
States Reporting the Most Laser Strikes (January Through July 2026)
- California - 614
- Texas - 445
- Florida - 232
- Illinois - 224
- Tennessee - 202
- Washington - 199
- Arizona - 178
- Colorado - 166
- Virginia - 136
- Georgia - 133
Thursday's update comes ahead of the holiday season when many Americans put up laser-light displays as decorations.
"Holiday laser-light displays can pose a safety risk when aimed into the sky. The concentrated laser beams reach much farther than homeowners may realize and have the potential of distracting or temporarily blinding pilots," the FAA warned.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
