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Is middle or back of plane safer?

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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According to their stats, the back third of the plane had the lowest fatality rate whilst the highest fatality rate was found at the aisles in the middle section. A separate study of 105 air crashes by British experts concluded that the most dangerous seats are those by the window, especially in the back.

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The study concluded that passengers who sit in the back rows “are 40% more likely to survive a crash” than those in the front. Statistics provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) support this finding.

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Lastly, though air travel is one of the safest forms of travel, studies show that the back of the plane is actually the safest in the event of a crash, with a 40% increase in the likelihood of survival, compared to those sitting closest to the front.

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The back of the plane usually feels bumpier than anywhere else in the plane, because it's further away from the centre of mass of the aircraft. So if you're closer to the front or near the wings, then you usually feel less turbulence.

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Which Seat Is Best to Avoid Turbulence? The seat you choose can actually reduce the amount of turbulence you feel! Grab a seat near the center of the plane, over the wings, or toward the front of the aircraft. These areas are more stable, and you'll notice less turbulence than at the back of the plane.

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According to their stats, the back third of the plane had the lowest fatality rate whilst the highest fatality rate was found at the aisles in the middle section. A separate study of 105 air crashes by British experts concluded that the most dangerous seats are those by the window, especially in the back.

MORE DETAILS

Although some researchers have calculated that aisle seats may be safer than middle or window seats, the Time analysis found that at least in the middle of the plane, they were the least safe. And middle seats near the back appeared to be the safest.

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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.

MORE DETAILS

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 back of the plane is definitely the worst place to sit for travelers who hate turbulence since it's far from the plane's center of lift and gravity. This section can also be very loud since some planes have engines and auxiliary power units toward the back of the body that make a lot of noise.

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Seats towards the back of the plane tend to experience more turbulence than those towards the front. Those who experience motion sickness should avoid seats in the back at all costs. Additionally, those seated in the back are the last passengers to get off the plane.

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The wings are the point of lift vs gravity so sitting above them ensures a smoother lift off, flight, and landing. Avoid the rear of the plane. Turbulence is much more pronounced at the back of the plane – the further back the worse it can be.

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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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Summer and winter are the worst seasons for turbulence. Winter has strong winds and blizzards, and summer's hot heat can create unstable air, thunderstorms, and tropical storms. That means flying during the holidays often means more turbulence than other times of the year.

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While turbulence can feel scary, airplanes are designed to withstand massive amounts of it. A plane cannot be flipped upside-down, thrown into a tailspin, or otherwise flung from the sky by even the mightiest gust or air pocket, wrote pilot Patrick Smith on his site, AskThePilot.com.

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Which Seat Is Best to Avoid Turbulence? The seat you choose can actually reduce the amount of turbulence you feel! Grab a seat near the center of the plane, over the wings, or toward the front of the aircraft. These areas are more stable, and you'll notice less turbulence than at the back of the plane.

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Research found that the noise experienced in window seats was four decibels higher than the middle and aisle seats. Meanwhile, at the back of the aircraft, there is a lot of low frequency noise, says Kochan.

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Seats in the back are away from the wings, which causes a more turbulent ride. Seats in the back are also usually closer to the lavatory, which could mean foul odors. Finally, those sitting in the back are the last ones to off the plane, which is bad if you have a connecting flight.

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