25 thoughts on “Choosing the Safest Seat on Airplane: Tragedy Revisited”
Mike J
Greate topic. Thanks.
I would suggest not talking too much about rear seating. The airlines may notice and start charging extra for those seats.
I always sit in the rear section if possible. It just seems less claustrophobic to me.
0
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Mike.
Thanks. Interesting how different people approach seating. We both prefer near the front since you don’t notice all the people behind you.
Aloha.
1
YcV
Would be nice if aero industry would produce planes that have FC in the rear!
2
Wendy M.
I just googled “odds of dying in a plane crash” and I got results varying from 1 in 11,000,000 to 1 in 30,000,000. With odds as minuscule as that, I’m going to just take my chances, pick whatever seat I like that’s still available, and not worry about the safety that may or may not be associated with that particular seat. I’ve got enough things to worry about without adding this to the mix!
3
Joan b
Aloha! I used to be a flight attendant and the only advice one needs is read the information in the seat pocket, know you’re exits, do what the flight attendants say. The best advice of all is leave your belongings behind. You can’t believe how many people I saw get delayed in evacuations because they were looking for the purse and carry on. Your seat number won’t mean a thing if you are hunting for a bag of pineapples while the plane is burning.
2
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Joan.
We never knew that about you. Which airline?
Aloha.
1
Thomas S
Safety: Flight attendant from United 232 that crashed in Sioux City became an advocate for safety. In a video interview on the topic of surviving a crash, her #1 priority was for the passenger to know where the exits are from they are seated; this being more of a priority than where you are seated. Know the exit locations in front of you and back of you. Be ready to count seatbacks, etc. In another interview I saw with this person years ago, she was an advocated of car safety seats being required for children following rules for cars. Her United 232 was a “family” promotion flight with children flying for a dollar and MANY lap riders. Her observation that there’s no way you can hold a child during a crash and her description of mothers trying to find their babies after the crash in Sioux City. I also recall she said that during take-off and landing, the lapbelt should be as tight as you can make it.
1
Suzanne L
Great tips! Years ago I read you should always count how many rows away you are seated from the exit door in front of you and the exit door behind you in case there is smoke or other circumstances that do not allow you to see the floor lights when leaving the plane. Many other passengers must have also read this tip because even though I’m not counting out loud, fellow passengers comment “We see you are mentally counting the rows to the exits”.
2
Ilo G
Could the stats favor the middle seat near the rear of the plane because they are the seats most likely to be unfilled?
1
Macvickers
Thanks for the reminder about wearing seat belts FASTENED. One can really be thrown about in turbulence causing minor injuries and vacation discomfort. Also, I recently read in this era of germ consciousness, it’s a good idea to board late and take a window seat. You have less exposure to folks passing in the aisle.
1
Catherine
Since the probability of a crash is very low if I can get first class I’ll go for it. Seat space has gotten smaller and the seats are much harder in coach. I am 5’11” and my husband is 6’3″ and our shoulders overlap each other so we have to take turns who’s under and who’s over. We don’t get it very often so we usually get the “extra comfort” seats and they are near the front of the plane. I do always wear comfortable shoes and cotton fabrics. Nothing synthetic due to fire in the case of a crash. I can’t believe how many people take off their shoes AND socks. No class or consideration for other passengers IMHO. We are finally going back to Maui in the Fall and I can’t wait!
0
PAM M
Great topic guys!
I have never given much thought to where the safest area on a plane is
I am happy that smoking on a plane was banned a while ago.
I never saw the wisdom of lighting anything on fire, especially in your face, but on top of thousands of gallons of jet fuel was shear insanity!
I honestly feel that the very front of the plane is best for me.
If there’s going to be a crash, I’d like to go out with the heros in the cockpit. I’d rather not be part of the fire that may come later.
Blessings to Beat of Hawai’i.
Mahalo and stay safe guys. I couldn’t do without you 🌺
1
Beat of Hawaii
Hi Pam.
Thanks for everything. We both concur about preferring the front. And that was where Jean was when she died. She probably wouldn’t have changed where she sat even if she knew about the inherent danger. She only flew up front.
Aloha.
0
Comments are closed.
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Greate topic. Thanks.
I would suggest not talking too much about rear seating. The airlines may notice and start charging extra for those seats.
I always sit in the rear section if possible. It just seems less claustrophobic to me.
Hi Mike.
Thanks. Interesting how different people approach seating. We both prefer near the front since you don’t notice all the people behind you.
Aloha.
Would be nice if aero industry would produce planes that have FC in the rear!
I just googled “odds of dying in a plane crash” and I got results varying from 1 in 11,000,000 to 1 in 30,000,000. With odds as minuscule as that, I’m going to just take my chances, pick whatever seat I like that’s still available, and not worry about the safety that may or may not be associated with that particular seat. I’ve got enough things to worry about without adding this to the mix!
Aloha! I used to be a flight attendant and the only advice one needs is read the information in the seat pocket, know you’re exits, do what the flight attendants say. The best advice of all is leave your belongings behind. You can’t believe how many people I saw get delayed in evacuations because they were looking for the purse and carry on. Your seat number won’t mean a thing if you are hunting for a bag of pineapples while the plane is burning.
Hi Joan.
We never knew that about you. Which airline?
Aloha.
Safety: Flight attendant from United 232 that crashed in Sioux City became an advocate for safety. In a video interview on the topic of surviving a crash, her #1 priority was for the passenger to know where the exits are from they are seated; this being more of a priority than where you are seated. Know the exit locations in front of you and back of you. Be ready to count seatbacks, etc. In another interview I saw with this person years ago, she was an advocated of car safety seats being required for children following rules for cars. Her United 232 was a “family” promotion flight with children flying for a dollar and MANY lap riders. Her observation that there’s no way you can hold a child during a crash and her description of mothers trying to find their babies after the crash in Sioux City. I also recall she said that during take-off and landing, the lapbelt should be as tight as you can make it.
Great tips! Years ago I read you should always count how many rows away you are seated from the exit door in front of you and the exit door behind you in case there is smoke or other circumstances that do not allow you to see the floor lights when leaving the plane. Many other passengers must have also read this tip because even though I’m not counting out loud, fellow passengers comment “We see you are mentally counting the rows to the exits”.
Could the stats favor the middle seat near the rear of the plane because they are the seats most likely to be unfilled?
Thanks for the reminder about wearing seat belts FASTENED. One can really be thrown about in turbulence causing minor injuries and vacation discomfort. Also, I recently read in this era of germ consciousness, it’s a good idea to board late and take a window seat. You have less exposure to folks passing in the aisle.
Since the probability of a crash is very low if I can get first class I’ll go for it. Seat space has gotten smaller and the seats are much harder in coach. I am 5’11” and my husband is 6’3″ and our shoulders overlap each other so we have to take turns who’s under and who’s over. We don’t get it very often so we usually get the “extra comfort” seats and they are near the front of the plane. I do always wear comfortable shoes and cotton fabrics. Nothing synthetic due to fire in the case of a crash. I can’t believe how many people take off their shoes AND socks. No class or consideration for other passengers IMHO. We are finally going back to Maui in the Fall and I can’t wait!
Great topic guys!
I have never given much thought to where the safest area on a plane is
I am happy that smoking on a plane was banned a while ago.
I never saw the wisdom of lighting anything on fire, especially in your face, but on top of thousands of gallons of jet fuel was shear insanity!
I honestly feel that the very front of the plane is best for me.
If there’s going to be a crash, I’d like to go out with the heros in the cockpit. I’d rather not be part of the fire that may come later.
Blessings to Beat of Hawai’i.
Mahalo and stay safe guys. I couldn’t do without you 🌺
Hi Pam.
Thanks for everything. We both concur about preferring the front. And that was where Jean was when she died. She probably wouldn’t have changed where she sat even if she knew about the inherent danger. She only flew up front.
Aloha.