Air Crash Investigator gives 'life-saving' advice on how to find the safest seat on an airplane
One Air Safety Investigator has revealed that there are indeed 'ideal' seats that you should always choose when flying, as picking them could be the difference between life and death in the event of a crash.
There's plenty of debate when it comes to the best seat on a plane, as some have produced evidence proving that specific seats are unquestionably the worst, whereas others weigh up comfort against safety concerns.
With turbulence seemingly on the rise and a number of high-profile plane crashes in recent years, it's definitely something you should think about when booking your next trip in the air.
Thankfully we've been able to receive the keen advice of former Air Safety Investigator Gregory Feith who worked for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as he faced questions in WIRED's 'Tech Support' series on YouTube - one of which involved the question of seat choice.
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When asked what the 'safest seat' on an airplane really is, Feith had this to say:
"The best place to sit is where you can access an exit. Over the wings, or close proximity to either the forward exit or the rear exit."
This definitely makes sense both from a safety perspective and one of convenience too, as it's always a relief to be one of the first to get off the plane - even if that high is often deflated by an hours wait at baggage reclaim.
When considering safety though, Feith expounds that being as close as possible to a potential exit will give you the best case of survival in the event of a crash - and he points out the best way to prepare if you do manage to snag a nearby seat.
"Count the seats," he explains, "between the exit in front of you and the exits behind you, because airplane crashes unfortunately don't occur where the airplane is upright. It could be upside down, it could be at night, it could be on fire, you may not be able to stand up, you may have to crawl. Knowing your position in relation to the closest exit is your best bet."
Thankfully, despite expressing the importance of staying safe, Feith quells any anxieties that flying is somehow a dangerous way to travel.
He reveals in another answer that the probability of being killed in an airplane accident is actually "1 in 11,000,000," asserting that "aviation is the safest form of transportation bar none around the world."
That still won't likely be enough to calm the nerves of any aviophobic individuals out there, but it's definitely something to think about next time you're sat on a long-haul journey.