Are aeroplane window seats dangerous?
In the early days of commercial flight, most passengers thought the best way to survive a crash was to sit at the back clutching a pair of rosary beads. However, a recent study into surviving crash landings and onboard fires, conducted by Greenwich University on behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority, indicated that asking for an aisle seat might save you from more than just cramp. According to the report, people wanting to get out of a burning aircraft as quickly as possible should sit in an aisle seat at the front and within five rows of an emergency exit door. The very best seats were within one or two rows of an emergency exit, said the study, which examined 105 accidents and statements from 2,000 survivors. However, experts have warned fliers not to become obsessed with aisle seats or, indeed, with the notion that there is a serious chance of an accident. Robert Gifford, executive director of the parliamentary advisory council for transport safety, says sitting near the aisle is n
