Final answer:
Airlines operate safely without collisions thanks to FAA regulations mandating minimum horizontal and vertical separations between aircraft, which are akin to restrictions on electron locations in quantum mechanics.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability of commercial airliners to fly without colliding with each other is due to the strict regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). These regulations require that airplanes maintain specific distances from each other when flying: a five-mile horizontal separation at the same altitude and a vertical separation of 2,000 feet above or below another aircraft (1,000 feet if the altitude is less than 29,000 feet). Additionally, complex air traffic control systems and modern avionics contribute to maintaining safe separation between aircraft. The establishment and enforcement of these rules ensure that each airplane has its own space to operate safely, similar to how electrons have restricted locations in their orbits according to the principles of quantum mechanics.