Which are the safest seats on a plane? Aviation experts reveal all!

Remember that flying is the safest mode of transport, regardless of where you're seated. 

If you're someone who easily gets anxious on flights, or simply curious, you might have wondered which plane seats are the safest in the event of an accident. According to statistical analyses from previous air accidents, there is an answer to this question.

According to Dan Bubb, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the safest spot on a plane is at the rear of the aircraft. A 2015 analysis by TIME, based on 35 years of data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), showed that if a plane is divided into three sections, seats in the last third of the aircraft have a 32% fatality rate, while the middle third and front third have fatality rates of 39% and 38% respectively.

More specifically, statistically, the safest seats on an aircraft are in the middle of the rear section, with a 28% fatality rate. In contrast, aisle seats in the middle of the cabin have a 44% mortality rate. Always remember that these figures are only general probabilities derived from previous air accidents, and even these have certain exceptions. 

For example, in the case of United Airlines Flight 232, which crashed in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1989, the majority of the 184 survivors were seated in the middle third of the plane. 

In the Tenerife accident in 1977, which was the deadliest in aviation history with 583 victims, the 61 survivors were primarily located at the front of the Pan Am aircraft involved in the crash.

Generally, choosing a seat based on survival probabilities in the event of an accident is not always the best tactic. Luck plays a very important role and aeroplanes are a safe mode of transport. At the same time, bear in mind that seats at the back of the aircraft will not guarantee you a comfortable flight.

A Travel + Leisure expert, David Rimmer, CEO of AB Aviation Group and an air accident survivor, points out that while the safest seats are at the back of the plane, they are also the most uncomfortable during turbulence. Let's not forget that this area is also frequented by those needing to use the lavatory, and cabin crew often congregate there. 

As Mr Rimmer notes, considering how small the chances of an air accident are, turbulence is far more likely and is the main concern for passengers who are most fearful. For this reason, he suggests choosing seats that are slightly less "safe" but closer to the centre of the aircraft, to avoid the more severe effects of turbulence.

If you want to choose a more "safe" seat, it would be wise to opt for a seat near one of the emergency exits. According to FAA research, aircraft must be able to be completely evacuated within 90 seconds, which explains the presence of so many emergency exits. A 2011 study by the University of Greenwich, which analysed over 100 air crashes, found that passengers seated up to five rows away from a functioning exit had a greater chance of safely evacuating the aircraft.

Ultimately, perhaps it is not so important which seat you choose on the plane, as flights remain one of the safest methods of transport. Even in the event of being involved in an air accident, the chances of survival are high. A 2020 study by the National Transportation Safety Board reported that 98.2% of passengers in air accidents between 2001 and 2017 survived with minor or no injuries, while only 1.3% sustained fatal injuries.

Instead of focusing on choosing a 'safer' seat on the aircraft, there are other essential steps to increase your safety in an emergency. "Listen carefully to the flight attendants' instructions, including the safety demonstration," advises Mr Bubb.

Check the safety card located in the seat-back pocket and study it carefully. Locate your nearest emergency exit and count how many rows away it is so you can find it even in conditions of low visibility. And remember, in an emergency, do not waste valuable time trying to retrieve your personal belongings – leave the aircraft as quickly as you can.

Book your flights and enjoy your journey, without the stress of something unpleasant happening!