4 ms·

Better yet, get a seat in front of the engines instead of behind: The engine inlet was shredded with metal bent outward. The pane of a window just behind the l

Better yet, get a seat in front of the engines instead of behind: The engine inlet was shredded with metal bent outward. The pane of a window just behind the left wing was missing.

nikanj 9y ago
On most airlines, the front of the plane is for more expensive travel classes.
- celticninja 9y ago
  Less of chance being hit by engine debris so they charge more.
  - jmkb 9y ago
    On both Aloha 243 and United 811, it was the first-class cabin that broke apart. In both cases seatbelts kept passengers from being sucked out of their seats. Aloha 243 lost a flight attendant who wasn't buckled in... but United 811 lost two whole rows of first class seats, passengers and all. And at least one passenger was sucked into the engine. So maybe being behind the engine isn't so bad. It's a common trope that the rear of the aircraft is safer, since it usually crashes nose-first. Back when the rear rows were the designated smoking section, one would always hear a few rounds of "smoking saved my life!" after a fatal plane crash.
  - michaelcampbell 9y ago
    They charge more for the convenience of getting seated and getting off, and by the precise amount that people will pay for that. Nothing more.
srj 9y ago
There was a study[1] where a plane was deliberately crashed into the Sonoran Desert, and in it they found the front of the cabin experienced much higher g-forces than those in the rear. There's also an interesting blog by a UK Professor who studies the safety of crowds in various disaster scenarios: http://fseg.gre.ac.uk/blog/ http://fseg.gre.ac.uk/blog/ He found that the closer you are to an exit row, the marginally better your odds of survival. [1] https://alum.mit.edu/slice/scientists-crash-plane-name-safety https://alum.mit.edu/slice/scientists-crash-plane-name-safet...
- Coding_Cat 9y ago
  and, a reason much more important than survival, an aisle seat on an exit room gives you the most legspace for your money!
  - thatswrong0 9y ago
    Also the most elbow / shoulder bumps per hour
  - untog 9y ago
    Bless your heart for assuming that the exit row seat doesn't cost extra compared to the others.
    - Coding_Cat 9y ago
      Varies per airline. But usually when I fly it's still the best (legroom/total ticket price) :)
- w0m 9y ago
  Back of the plane is last off; but also technically the safest (and bumpiest during the rest of the ride). Statistically speaking; I just look for the most legroom.

Better yet, get a seat in front of the engines instead of behind: The engine inlet was shredded with metal bent outward. The pane of a window just behind the left wing was missing.

nikanj 9y ago

On most airlines, the front of the plane is for more expensive travel classes.

celticninja 9y ago
Less of chance being hit by engine debris so they charge more.
- jmkb 9y ago
  On both Aloha 243 and United 811, it was the first-class cabin that broke apart. In both cases seatbelts kept passengers from being sucked out of their seats. Aloha 243 lost a flight attendant who wasn't buckled in... but United 811 lost two whole rows of first class seats, passengers and all. And at least one passenger was sucked into the engine. So maybe being behind the engine isn't so bad. It's a common trope that the rear of the aircraft is safer, since it usually crashes nose-first. Back when the rear rows were the designated smoking section, one would always hear a few rounds of "smoking saved my life!" after a fatal plane crash.
- michaelcampbell 9y ago
  They charge more for the convenience of getting seated and getting off, and by the precise amount that people will pay for that. Nothing more.

srj 9y ago

There was a study[1] where a plane was deliberately crashed into the Sonoran Desert, and in it they found the front of the cabin experienced much higher g-forces than those in the rear. There's also an interesting blog by a UK Professor who studies the safety of crowds in various disaster scenarios: http://fseg.gre.ac.uk/blog/ http://fseg.gre.ac.uk/blog/ He found that the closer you are to an exit row, the marginally better your odds of survival. [1] https://alum.mit.edu/slice/scientists-crash-plane-name-safety https://alum.mit.edu/slice/scientists-crash-plane-name-safet...

Coding_Cat 9y ago
and, a reason much more important than survival, an aisle seat on an exit room gives you the most legspace for your money!
- thatswrong0 9y ago
  Also the most elbow / shoulder bumps per hour
- untog 9y ago
  Bless your heart for assuming that the exit row seat doesn't cost extra compared to the others.
  - Coding_Cat 9y ago
    Varies per airline. But usually when I fly it's still the best (legroom/total ticket price) :)
w0m 9y ago
Back of the plane is last off; but also technically the safest (and bumpiest during the rest of the ride). Statistically speaking; I just look for the most legroom.