However, statistically speaking, a seat close to an exit in the front or rear, or a middle seat in the back third of the plane offers the lowest fatality rate.

From a statistical safety standpoint, there is no "safer" side of an airplane (left vs. right). Aviation accident data shows that impact forces and fire risks are essentially random and depend entirely on the specific nature of the incident. However, if you are looking for "safety" in terms of emergency egress, being on the side with the fewest people between you and an exit is the only factor you can control. A famous study by the University of Greenwich suggests that passengers sitting within five rows of an emergency exit have the highest survival rates. In terms of physical comfort, sitting on the left side is often preferred on narrow-body planes because the exit door is on the left, sometimes allowing for slightly more legroom in the bulkhead. In 2026, many frequent flyers also choose their side based on "environmental safety"—such as sitting on the side away from the sun to avoid cabin heat or choosing the side that offers the best view of the horizon to help prevent motion sickness and "spatial disorientation."