Which plane seat is safest?
Many people choose to travel by air because it is fast comfortable and one of the safest ways to get from one place to another. However when an airplane accident happens many passengers wonder.
Is there a seat that offers a better chance of survival? The good news is that air travel remains far safer than traveling by road or rail.
Although plane crashes often receive worldwide attention because they are rare and serious the number of deaths from aviation accidents is much lower than from road accidents.
According to global aviation safety data flying has one of the lowest accident and death rates of any form of transportation.
Is there a safest seat?
There is no seat that can guarantee survival in every accident. Aviation experts say the outcome depends on many factors including the type of crash the speed of the aircraft and where the impact occurs.
However studies of past accidents suggest that some seats may provide a slightly better chance of survival in certain situations.
What research shows
A review of airplane crashes over 35 years found that middle seats in the rear section of the aircraft had the lowest death rate, around 28%. By comparison seats in the middle section of the plane had a higher death rate.
Another study by Popular Mechanics which examined crashes between 1971 and 2005 found that passengers sitting in the back of the plane were up to 40% more likely to survive than those sitting closer to the front.
Why the back may be safer
Aviation experts explain that the front of the aircraft often absorbs the first impact during some types of crashes. Because of this passengers seated in the rear may have a better chance of surviving in certain accidents.
The back of the aircraft is also closer to the rear emergency exits which may help passengers leave the plane more quickly if an evacuation is needed.
But every crash is different
Experts also warn that there is no “perfect” seat. Some crashes affect the rear of the aircraft first while others damage the front or middle section.
In accidents involving mountains the ocean or explosions survival may depend more on the nature of the crash than on where a passenger is sitting.
For example if a plane crashes into a mountain or falls into the sea the chances of survival are often very low regardless of seat location.
Emergency exit seats can help
Passengers sitting near emergency exits may be able to leave the aircraft faster after a crash provided the exits remain usable. Quick evacuation is often an important factor in survival.
What Aviation Authorities Say
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says no part of an airplane is officially considered safer than another.
Survival depends on many factors, including the type of accident the force of the impact fire and how quickly passengers can evacuate.
Research suggests that seats near the back of the aircraft especially the middle seats in the rear section may offer a slightly better chance of survival in some crashes.
However no seat can guarantee safety.
The most important thing passengers can do is wear their seat belt listen to the safety briefing and follow the cabin crew’s instructions. These simple steps can make a big difference in an emergency.