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New York Times
a day ago
- General
- New York Times
Is There a Safest Seat in a Plane Crash? We Asked Experts.
Suddenly, airline passengers around the world are wondering if there is something special about Seat 11A. That's where Viswash Kumar Ramesh, 38, the sole survivor of the Air India Boeing 787-8 that crashed after takeoff in Ahmedabad, India, on Thursday was sitting. Did the location of his seat help spare his life? Probably not, aviation experts said. There's nothing that makes that or any other seat safer than anywhere else on a plane, and they added, it's usually not worth trying to game out safety when selecting where to sit for a flight. 'If you're in a crash, all bets are off,' said Jeff Guzzetti, a former accident investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board. 'So pick whatever seat you want to make you feel comfortable.' While conventional wisdom holds that the rear of an aircraft may be safer, that theory falsely assumes that the front of a plane will always make impact first in the event of a crash, Mr. Guzzetti said. 'You just can't predict crash dynamics.' Airlines use different configurations for different aircraft. On that Air India flight, Seat 11A was in an exit row on the left side, according to a seat map on SeatGuru. Sitting near an exit may allow passengers to escape more quickly in some circumstances, but Mr. Ramesh told India's state broadcaster that the right side of the aircraft was 'crushed against a wall,' preventing anyone else who may have survived the initial impact from escaping through the exit on that side. In an emergency like a fire, when 'you're still sitting on your landing gear and the airplane is pretty much upright and intact,' an exit row may offer the quickest path to safety, Mr. Guzzetti said. 'But with regard to the crash dynamics of an accident like Air India, I think it's just a matter of chance.' Shawn Pruchnicki, a former accident investigator at the Air Line Pilots Association and an assistant professor of aviation safety at Ohio State University, chalked up Mr. Ramesh's survival to 'purely luck.' 'In these types of accidents people just don't survive this close to the front, this close to fuel,' Dr. Pruchnicki said, referring to the fact that the fuel tanks on a Boeing 787 are mainly on the wings and in the fuselage between them. The crash on Thursday was the latest in a string of recent aviation disasters around the globe, including a midair collision in Washington in January, and crashes in South Korea and Kazakhstan in December, that have raised fears among some travelers about the safety of flying. Aviation experts say flying remains safe and that crashes, though high-profile, remain very rare. Christine Chung contributed reporting. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2025.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
Travel expert shares airplane trick to make sure the whole family gets the best seats
Flying with a big group can be stressful, especially if you're catering to family members of different ages. But according to one expert, there's an easy way to make sure everyone gets the perfect spot on the plane without breaking the bank. Dawn Morwood, co-director of Cheap Deals Away, a company dedicated to helping people find the best holiday deal, advises that you separate the plane into various zones and book seats for family members accordingly. She said: 'Most families just grab whatever seats are available, then end up stressed when their toddler won't settle or grandad struggles to get to the loo. But with a bit of planning and my simple zoning method, you can turn a potentially stressful journey into a much more pleasant experience for everyone." READ MORE: The European city 'just like Amsterdam' but cheaper with fewer tourists READ MORE: The European city 'just like Berlin' with the biggest red light district in Europe Dawn's zoning method is simple but effective. Instead of booking seats randomly, she suggests dividing the plane into strategic zones based on each family member's needs. Describing the method, she said: "It considers everyone's needs - from grandparents who need easy access to the loo, to kids who need entertainment, to teens who want their own space. 'The beauty of this approach is that it's flexible and can work with any budget. Even if you can't get your exact preferred seats, understanding these zones helps you make the best choices from what's available." For older relatives, she advised booking aisle seats at the front of the plane. Dawn said: 'This makes boarding and getting off much easier, plus they'll have quick access to the loos. The front of the plane also tends to be quieter and experiences less turbulence.' For parents with young children, Dawn recommends the middle section near the wings. She commented: 'This area experiences the least turbulence, which is great for little ones who might get nervous, 'Choose window seats for the kids - it keeps them entertained with the view and means they won't be disturbed by other passengers needing to get past.' For teenagers or more independent family members, Dawn suggested sitting them slightly separately to give family members some breathing space. Dawn explained: 'Teens often appreciate having their own space. Book them aisle or window seats within sight but not right next to you. It gives them independence while keeping them close enough if needed.' The expert also shared her advice on keeping costs down. She said: 'Most airlines now charge extra for seat selection, but there are ways around this. Book early - this gives you more choice and often better prices. Some airlines also offer free seat selection for families with young children if you call their customer service.' Websites like SeatGuru allow you to check the best spots on your specific plane. Dawn added: 'Also, download your airline's app - sometimes they offer free seat selection through their apps, and you'll get notifications if better seats become available.' Looking for more from MyLondon? Subscribe to our daily newsletters here for the latest and greatest updates from across London.
