The Safest Seat on an Airplane: What the Research Says
As a passenger, you likely have a preference for where to sit on a plane: not too close to the restroom, by the window, on the aisle, near the front, or in a seat with extra legroom. But have you ever considered which seat might be the safest? And does such a seat even exist? We did the research.
First, it's important to note that the chances of a plane crash are almost zero. While being strapped into a seat high in the sky may feel unnatural, flying is statistically the safest way to travel. The odds of an accident during a commercial flight are 0.000001%. The likelihood of a fatal accident is even lower. In fact, your chances of winning the U.S. lottery (1 in 292 million) are still three times higher than experiencing a fatal airplane crash. Over the past five years, the annual average has been 13 fatal crashes and 300 fatalities from aviation accidents, as reported by AirlineRatings.com.
However, if you have a fear of flying, throwing statistics at you probably won’t help much. No matter how irrational your fear might be, a phobia of flying can be incredibly distressing. Knowing which airplane seat is considered the safest might provide some peace of mind.
The Safest Seat: Middle Seat in the Back
In 2015, TIME delved into 35 years of airplane crash data, analyzing seat locations of survivors using Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records. Of 17 crashes between 1985 and 2000 with available seating charts, they concluded that middle seats at the rear of the plane were the safest. In the back section, 32% of passengers died compared to 39% in the middle and 38% in the front. Middle seats in the back had the lowest fatality rate at 28%, possibly because other passengers cushioned them.
Research from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reached similar conclusions. Passengers seated in the back had a 69% chance of surviving a crash compared to just 49% for those in the front, such as in business class. Comfort or safety—sometimes you have to choose.
Stay Close to Emergency Exits
Research from the University of Greenwich in 2008 found that passengers seated within five rows of an emergency exit had the highest survival rates (within the already low likelihood of an accident). For example, in a 1985 crash, 20 out of 27 survivors were within five rows of an exit. However, a significant number of fatalities were also seated in these rows.
In another crash that year, all survivors were seated in the last rows of the plane. However, some passengers initially survived in other rows but later died due to weather conditions in the mountainous area of Japan where the plane crashed.
Additional Factors That Influence Survival
While seat selection can improve your odds, survival also depends on factors like the impact location, safety measures taken, equipment reliability (like seatbelts and oxygen masks), crew expertise, and external conditions such as terrain and weather. The FAA refrains from declaring any specific seat as the safest for these reasons.
Where You’ll Feel the Least Turbulence
Every choice has trade-offs. While the back of the plane may statistically be safer, it’s also where turbulence is felt most—much like the back of a roller coaster. If turbulence is a concern, opt for a seat near the wings, where the ride is more stable.
Tips to Enhance Your Safety
Seat selection is just one part of staying safe. Choose a reputable airline with high safety ratings. When booking, reserve your preferred seat (often for a fee) and use tools like SeatGuru to check seat maps and reviews.
Once on board, always read the safety card and follow flight attendants’ instructions (even if you’ve flown hundreds of times and think you know them by heart). Keep your seatbelt fastened throughout the flight (bonus tip: this also helps prevent fatigue), avoid alcohol, and wear flat shoes to ensure quick movement in an emergency. Always leave your belongings behind—your backpack is not worth your life.
When boarding, count the rows to the nearest exit. In case of smoke or power failure, you’ll know how to reach the exit. Familiarize yourself with the seatbelt mechanism; studies show that in a panic, passengers often waste time searching for a car-style button instead of the release tab.
Most plane crashes occur in the first three minutes or the last eight minutes of a flight (during takeoff and landing). Be especially alert during these times. And remember: According to a 2020 NTSB study, 98.2% of passengers involved in aviation incidents between 2001 and 2017 survived with little or no injuries. Even in the rare event of an accident, your chances of survival are extremely high. Safe travels!
