An analysis of plane crashes over the past 35 years has identified the safest seats on an aircraft, offering reassurance for nervous flyers. According to a study by TIME magazine, which examined 17 crashes with both fatalities and survivors between 1985 and 2000, the middle seats in the back third of the plane historically have the highest survival rates.
The research found that seats in the rear third of the aircraft had the lowest fatality rates, followed by the middle third and then the front third. Within rows, middle seats at the back were the safest. A separate 2008 study from the University of Greenwich also highlighted that passengers near an exit are more likely to survive a crash.
Despite these findings, experts emphasise that flying remains an extremely safe mode of transport. The odds of dying in a car crash in the UK are approximately one in 229, compared to one in 8,000 for a plane crash. For those still anxious, flying coach Paul recommends a pre-flight checklist to demystify the journey and breathing techniques to steady nerves.
