Are rear seats on airplanes safer? Here's what studies suggest
Recent plane crashes in Kazakhstan and South Korea have reignited debates about the safety of airplane seat locations. In both incidents, survivors were found in the rear sections. An Azerbaijan Airlines crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, claimed 38 lives, with 29 survivors recovered from the rear. Days later, a Jeju Air Boeing crash in South Korea killed 179 passengers, leaving only two crew members alive, both from the tail. These incidents have fueled speculation about the rear section being safer.
Studies indicate rear seats may offer better survival chances
Research on airplane seat placement and safety indicates that rear seats may offer a marginally better chance of survival. A study by Popular Mechanics analyzed plane crashes from 1971 to 2005, highlighting the rear seats as the safest. Per the report, fatality rates are 32% in the rear, compared to 39% in the middle and 38% in the front. This is because the front of the plane typically absorbs a greater impact force during a crash.
Middle-rear seats found to be safest in some studies
A TIME magazine study also found that middle-rear seats have a mortality rate of 28%, making them the safest according to their analysis. However, exceptions occur, like the 1989 United Airlines crash, where 184 of 269 passengers survived, primarily seated near the front behind first class. Middle seats near emergency exits are considered safer for evacuation purposes but pose risks due to potential wing explosions.
FAA states no airplane section is inherently safer
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), however, insists that no specific part of an airplane is safer than the other. The FAA stresses that factors like the conditions of the crash and the force of impact play a major role in determining safety.Following safety guidelines and procedures is crucial for passenger safety. This includes adhering to pre-flight instructions, ensuring seatbelts are fastened properly during takeoff and landing, and maintaining proper posture during turbulence.
Air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation
Despite the tragic incidents in the recent days, air travel remains one of the safest modes of transportation. Global safety statistics indicate that air travel has a fatality rate of 0.003 deaths per 100 million passenger miles. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) noted a drop in air travel fatalities to 17 per billion passengers in 2023, further highlighting its relative safety.
