Is it safer to be at the front or back of a plane?

Nonetheless, a TIME investigation that looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data found the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared with 44% for the middle aisle seats.



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Usually, it's best to pick a seat toward the front of the plane for several reasons: It's usually quieter, and you can get on and off faster. There's a balance between choosing front/back and window/aisle.

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Approach and landing is the highest risk phase of flight, accounting for over 50 percent of all accidents at every level of aviation.

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The middle seat in the final seat is your safest bet
The middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared to 44% for the middle aisle seats, according to a TIME investigation that examined 35 years' worth of aircraft accident data.

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The Worst Seats on an Airplane for Turbulence
The flight attendant explained to Upgraded Points that they often notice turbulence more when sitting in the back of the plane than the front jump seats. Therefore, it may be best to avoid seats in the back of the plane, where there seems to be more movement.

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Most of the survivors were sitting behind first class, towards the front of the plane. Nonetheless, a TIME investigation that looked at 35 years of aircraft accident data found the middle rear seats of an aircraft had the lowest fatality rate: 28%, compared with 44% for the middle aisle seats.

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Are small planes less safe than larger? It might seem that way, but there are other contributing factors. In a nutshell, the size of an airplane is not in any way linked to safety, explains Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StretegivAero Research.

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Likewise, the back of the plane tends to be rockiest, so best avoided for passengers nervous about flying with turbulence. Pilots will often also slow their speed to prevent damage, and also reroute the plane if necessary.

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If you head even further back, you'll find the last rows of the plane have even better perks. On many flights, you'll find the final rows have fewer people in them, which means more room for you to stretch out since there is no one sitting behind you, and you may even have a seat open next to you.

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“Many times, the windows are missing at these seats as well,” Duff continues, “and to top it all off, you are going to feel turbulence a bit [more] toward the back of the plane.” Being in the back also means you're one of the last ones off the plane—not ideal if you're trying to make a tight connection.

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The seats are taken by other passengers. Seats in the rear are popular because they are close to the lavatory. Depending on the airline, it may also be the first rows to be served in-flight meals.

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For more expert advice, a former flight attendant revealed that the emergency exit is usually the best place to sit on a plane. She said: These seats usually come with an extra fee, so you're less likely to have people sitting next to you here.

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According to a 2015 study, seats in the middle of the cabin had the highest fatality rate at 39 per cent, followed by a 38 per cent fatality rate in the front. Seats at the back of the cabin had the lowest fatality rate at 32 per cent.

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Because the wings provide the plane's stability, the seats closest to them will offer a smoother ride. If those seats are not available, the next best place is towards the front of the plane. It is best to avoid the back if turbulence will cause you distress, as it is the most susceptible to bumpiness.

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“The smoothest place to sit is over the wings,” commercial pilot Patrick Smith, host of AskThePilot.com said. These seats are close to the plane's center of lift and gravity. “The roughest spot is usually the far aft. In the rearmost rows, closest to the tail, the knocking and swaying is more pronounced,” Smith added.

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According to experts, the best place to sit on a plane to avoid feeling the effects of turbulence is at the centre of the plane, closer to its centre of gravity. Likewise, the back of the plane tends to be rockiest, so best avoided for passengers nervous about flying with turbulence.

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8 Steps to Overcoming Your Fear of Flying
  1. Latch on to triggers that set you off. ...
  2. Step onto the airplane with knowledge. ...
  3. Anticipate your anxiety. ...
  4. Separate fear from danger. ...
  5. Recognize that common sense makes no sense. ...
  6. Smooth over things that go bump in the flight. ...
  7. Educate fellow fliers how to help you. ...
  8. Value each flight.


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The best seats on a plane Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat. Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row. Best seat for extra space without a seatmate: A seat towards the back. Best seat for a tight connection: A seat closest to the front exit.

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