MENU
  • Loading ...
  • Loading ...

Mackay Tourism

Latest News Mackay Tourism

Are you looking for a holiday? Get special deals.

 

Plane seat location critical in emergencies as experts warn row position impacts survival odds

29 Mar 2026 By foxnews

Plane seat location critical in emergencies as experts warn row position impacts survival odds

In the wake of the recent deadly collision at LaGuardia Airport that killed both pilots and injured dozens of passengers, questions about airline safety are once again on people's minds. 

The aircraft, carrying 72 passengers and four crew members, struck a Port Authority vehicle while landing Sunday night.

As investigators continue to piece together what went wrong, many travelers are discussing whether seat location can influence passenger safety and survival.

AIRLINES TOLD TO REEVALUATE EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES AFTER CARRY-ON CONCERNS

Daniel Bubb, a former airline pilot and commercial aviation expert at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, told Fox News Digital there is no guarantee about the safest seat on an airplane.

He also said some seats could be better than others.

"Sitting toward the back of the plane gives passengers the best chance of survival," said Bubb. "This is because the front and middle parts absorb most of the impact if it is a head-on collision, as was the case of the Jazz Air crash at LGA."

He went on, "In this crash, we saw the front of the aircraft absorb most of the impact. Perhaps what was an anomaly - but thank goodness miraculous - was the flight attendant, who was seated in her jumpseat with her seat belt and harness on, surviving the crash when she was ejected 300 feet."

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

Motley Rice aviation attorney Jim Brauchle, based in South Carolina, told Fox News Digital the safest location in an emergency evacuation would first be the emergency exit row. 

Then, he said, the closer passengers are seated toward an exit, the quicker they'll be able to evacuate.

"In the event of an evacuation, it's important not to retrieve your personal belongings," said Rice. "In many of the recent evacuations, we continually see people evacuating with their carry-on bags."

Travelers, he said, should carefully consider which shoes they are wearing. 

"People should wear comfortable footwear when flying, preferably closed toe - and high heels are not conducive to an emergency evacuation."

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LIFESTYLE STORIES

Though most airline passengers zone out "when the crew is going over their emergency instructions at the beginning of a flight, it is important to note the closest exit and also the next closest exit, should the primary exit be blocked," said Brauchle.

In 2015, Time magazine reviewed aircraft accidents that involved fatalities and survivors over the previous 35 years. 

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The publication's analysis showed that seats in the rear third of the plane had a 32% fatality rate, compared with 39% in the middle section and 38% in the front.

It also found that middle seats in the rear offered a 28% fatality rate, which was the highest survival rate.

Aisle seats in the middle section had the poorest outcomes - with a 44% fatality rate.

More News

Booking.com
Tech giants unite to fight online scams
Tech giants unite to fight online scams
FBI warns of zoning permit scam emails
FBI warns of zoning permit scam emails
Cruise passengers complained about cabin problem, now ships are making a big change
Cruise passengers complained about cabin problem, now ships are making a big change
Airports beg flight passengers to change their travel habits after DHS shutdown jams lines
Airports beg flight passengers to change their travel habits after DHS shutdown jams lines
Rubio gains early momentum in hypothetical 2028 GOP primary race as Vance remains clear front-runner
Rubio gains early momentum in hypothetical 2028 GOP primary race as Vance remains clear front-runner
Nancy Guthrie disappearance sparked harrowing 12-hour odyssey for Savannah
Nancy Guthrie disappearance sparked harrowing 12-hour odyssey for Savannah
Father loses legal fight to halt euthanasia of 25-year-old daughter in Spain
Father loses legal fight to halt euthanasia of 25-year-old daughter in Spain
Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin's defense team reveals who will be called to testify: court docs
Alleged Charlie Kirk assassin's defense team reveals who will be called to testify: court docs
Maher defends capitalism as better than 'reverse,' calls out Mamdani's socialist beliefs
Maher defends capitalism as better than 'reverse,' calls out Mamdani's socialist beliefs
Beloved coffee shop owner, mother of two disappears near home, urgent search underway
Beloved coffee shop owner, mother of two disappears near home, urgent search underway
'The View' co-hosts blast conservative influencer at CPAC for encouraging young women to have more children
'The View' co-hosts blast conservative influencer at CPAC for encouraging young women to have more children
NBA legend Michael Jordan explains being 'cursed' by competition: 'Keeps me young'
NBA legend Michael Jordan explains being 'cursed' by competition: 'Keeps me young'
Texas student, 15, shoots high school teacher before fatally shooting himself, authorities say
Texas student, 15, shoots high school teacher before fatally shooting himself, authorities say
Arnold Schwarzenegger's son dominates bodybuilding debut with multiple first-place wins
Arnold Schwarzenegger's son dominates bodybuilding debut with multiple first-place wins
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gives strong take on starting season in Australia: 'I don't see any pro'
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gives strong take on starting season in Australia: 'I don't see any pro'
LeAnn Rimes breaks down into tears while undergoing 'deep jaw release'
LeAnn Rimes breaks down into tears while undergoing 'deep jaw release'
Selena Gomez says she was 'misdiagnosed' before receiving bipolar diagnosis
Selena Gomez says she was 'misdiagnosed' before receiving bipolar diagnosis
Video shows latest Los Angeles street takeover as mob wreaks havoc, vandalizes occupied city bus
Video shows latest Los Angeles street takeover as mob wreaks havoc, vandalizes occupied city bus
Providence mayor calls for removal of Iryna Zarutska mural, says intent is 'divisive,' 'misguided'
Providence mayor calls for removal of Iryna Zarutska mural, says intent is 'divisive,' 'misguided'
Karoline Leavitt fires back at NBC News reporter who asked if Trump's Iran threat amounts to a 'war crime'
Karoline Leavitt fires back at NBC News reporter who asked if Trump's Iran threat amounts to a 'war crime'
Latest News

copyright © 2026 Mackay Tourism.   All rights reserved.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z