Title: Is Your Seat Position on the Plane Really the Safest?
For many frequent flyers, the thought of sitting at the back of the plane or at the rear of the aircraft may be a preferable option when it comes to safety. However, recent data suggests that this may not be the case. Two recent air crashes, one involving Azerbaijan Airlines and another involving Jeju Air, have led many to question whether there is a link between seat position and survival rates.
Analysts have looked at the data from past incidents, and according to a 2015 study by TIME Magazine, seats in the back third of the aircraft had a 32% fatality rate, while those in the front third had a 38% fatality rate, and those in the middle third had a 39% fatality rate. However, this may not be the case in 2024.
Aviation safety experts, such as Hasssan Shahidi, president of the Flight Safety Foundation, and Cheng-Lung Wu, associate professor at the School of Aviation of the University of New South Wales, Sydney, argue that there is no correlation between seat position and survivability in the event of an accident.
On the other hand, experts like Ed Galea, professor of fire safety engineering at London’s University of Greenwich, suggest that while the seat you occupy is crucial, it’s not the only factor. He emphasizes that the key to survival lies in being able to evacuate the plane quickly.
According to Galea’s research, which analyzed data from 1,917 passengers and 155 crew members involved in 105 accidents between 1977 and 1999, the best chance of survival lies in sitting near an emergency exit. He found that the further you are from the exit, the less likely you are to make it out alive. Those in aisle seats also tend to have a greater chance of evacuation than those in window seats, as there are fewer people to get past to exit.
Galea’s research also highlights the importance of knowledge and preparation. He recommends studying the evacuation cards in your seat pocket, keeping your shoes on until cruising altitude and putting them back on during final descent, sitting together with family members or fellow travelers, and counting the number of rows to the nearest emergency exit. He stresses that people who are prepared and focused are more likely to survive.
Geoffrey Thomas, editor of aviation news website 42,000 Feet, believes that the safest part of the plane is the wing box, where the wing meets the fuselage. However, he now recommends sitting as close to the exits as possible, ideally near a wing.
In the event of an emergency, evacuation is key. Galea warns that the main danger after the initial impact is a fire breaking out and smoke entering the cabin. He stresses the importance of not carrying heavy luggage, not trying to rescue family members or take photos, and simply following the crew’s instructions to exit the plane as quickly as possible.
Ultimately, experts agree that the risk of survival lies in the passenger’s behavior, and that preparation is key. By being aware of the safest seats, understanding the importance of evacuation, and taking steps to prepare, passengers can increase their chances of survival in the event of an emergency.