What's the safest part of a plane?
Emily Wilson
Published Apr 15, 2026
When looking at what seats gave you the best chance of surviving a crash, the middle seats in the plane's rear came out the best with a 28% fatality rate. The worst seats were on either side of the aisle in the middle of the aircraft, with a 44% fatality rate.
Is the back of the plane safer?
A scientific magazine 'Popular Mechanics' did a study in 2007 of air crashes in the US since 1971. 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.Which seats in airplane are safest?
The FAA report further says that the middle seat in the back/rear of the aircraft had the best position with just 28% fatality rate and most experts say that the back of the plane is less dangerous than the front.Which seat is best in an airplane?
The best seats on a plane
- Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
- Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
- Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
- Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.