Where to sit in a plane to most likely survive a crash
Experts have revealed that where you sit on a plane could impact your chances of surviving a crash.
Studies and real-life incidents suggest that passengers seated at the back of an aircraft have a higher likelihood of survival.
According to Daily Mail, over the past eight decades, there have been only 18 fatal commercial flights carrying at least 80 passengers where survivors were found in the wreckage.
But how did they make it through seemingly unsurvivable situations?
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"There are a lot of reasons someone may survive in what appears to be a totally unsurvivable situation," said Barbara Dunn, president of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
"Depending on how the aircraft lands and where a passenger is seated has an impact."
Dunn further explained that having a seatbelt properly fastened and assuming the brace position can also increase survival chances.
Two recent crashes – one involving a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 on December 29, 2024, and the other an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 on December 25, 2024 – support the theory that the rear of the plane is the safest place to be.
Flight 2216 crash-landed at Muan International Airport in South Korea, skidding off the runway and bursting into flames. The disaster killed 179 people, making it South Korea’s deadliest aviation accident since 1997.
The only survivors? Two flight attendants, a 33-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman – both seated at the very back of the plane.
While seat location plays a role, experts emphasise that other factors are just as crucial.
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"A lot of people think it's safer in the back than in the front," Dunn explained. "Not necessarily."
The five key factors that determine survival in a plane crash are:
Integrity of the aircraft: How much of the plane remains intact after impact.
Effectiveness of safety restraints: Whether seatbelts and other restraints function properly.
G-forces experienced by passengers and crew: The physical forces during impact.
The environment inside the aircraft: Fire, smoke, or other hazards.
Post-crash factors: How quickly passengers can escape the wreckage.
"How quick the fire takes over and how quick you can get to an exit, all those things matter as well," Dunn added.
While sitting at the back may increase survival odds, other elements – such as how the aircraft crashes and the speed of evacuation – also play a critical role.
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Image: AFP