Also PV, as you pointed out in that other thread, the most critical part of any flight is rotation and landing. The transition from the lower to higher flight levels, and the reverse, is the time when you are much more likely to encounter problems.
If you fly long haul direct by an airline with a supposedly poorer record OR by taking two or three shorter flights - all with carriers thought to be the safest operating companies - you will still be at higher risk by taking multiple flights.
Accordingly, generalities prevail.