Attention New Jersey Flyers: Here’s The Safest Seat On Airplane

Have you ever given thought about why you choose the seat that you do when riding on an airplane?

Most people pick either overall comfort, leg room, or desire to be located in a certain section of the airplane.

I like to sit around rows 3-5. I’ve heard and read that the air is better towards the front of the airplane. It’s also easier to get on and off of the airplane when you sit near the front.

However, I’ve learned that this is not the safest part of the airplane in the event of a crash incident.

Have you ever considered your seating assignment based upon what is the safest seat or section of the airplane?

It appears that most people do not give this question much thought whatsoever. Likely for a good reason.

According to the United States National Safety Council, the odds of dying in an airplane crash are approximately 1 in 205,552.

The odds of dying in a car crash are 1 in 102. No doubt that airplane remains the safest form of travel.

CNN.com reported that “in 2019, there were just under 70 million flights globally, with only 287 fatalities.”

A TIME investigation compiled 35 years of aircraft accident data. Their conclusion is that the middle rear seats of an airplane have the best chance to survive an airplane crash at 72 percent vs. 56 percent for middle aisle seats.

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Being towards the rear of the airplane and crash survivability makes sense. Because if a crash occurs, the front and middle sections typically crash first, leaving a better chance to survive in the back of the airplane.

The test of time and great airplane safety records prove that you should have little to no worry about crashing.

Some think that the exit rows, which are nearest to the airplane exits are the safest seats. However, the wings store fuel, making the middle section of the airplane less safe than the rear section.

Almost no one wants the middle seat on an airplane, but, the data says that a middle seat is safer than the aisle or window seats.

It’s quite likely that everything that you thought you knew about airplane seating safety may not have been true.

PS: I plan to still sit near the front of the airplane.

SOURCES: United States National Safety Council, CNN.com & TIME Magazine investigation.