Would it be a lot safer for aircraft seats to face backwards to reduce injury in a bad landing?

Answer 1

Rearfacing seats have been proven to be a more survivable fact in an aircraft accident. Your forward momentum will be absorbed by the (at least) 26g load bearing capacity of the body.

This arrangement is used only on the C-5 Galaxy. Oth er may have them installed, but not permanently. This idea saves lives!

Commercial airlines don't do it because a passenger wants to see what is coming up infront of him, not what has already been seen Get it?

Answer 2

For safety considerations, as a pilot, and also as a driver, I vote for rear-facing passenger seats in both types of transportation. Also for buses.
However, road passengers don't want to have to face following drivers on the road. And eye-to eye-contact at highway speed is distracting to the driver.
As for flying, consider this: When the craft takes off presently, the passengers feel a comforting PUSH into their seats. If the seats were rear-facing the push would be AGAINST our remaining in the seats, with the TILT of the craft further trying to dump us out, our being restrained only by the belt.
Conclusion: NO, IT WON'T WORK.

Answer 3

I have flown on US military passenger transports that have the seats facing the rear of the aircraft. Once you get used to them, I guess they're OK, but we experienced many more cases of motion sickness from passengers riding backwards. (Of course, some of the reason for the motion sickness could have been that some of the young military passengers were nursing pretty bad hang-overs to begin with.)

Answer 4

Possibly but I dont think people would be happy about facing backwards especially during take off and landing, I like to see where Im going, not where Ive been

Answer 5

Yes,and it has been known to be safer for many years.However it has not been done because it's believed that the airlines and passengers would not accept it.Realistically, accidents where this would make a difference are very infrequent.Most "bad" landings are survived with few injuries.A crash is much more severe and it is hard to predict who will survive.

Answer 6

Over the years my experience has been such that I have never suffered a BAD landing, these days of noise abatement etc, take- off acceleration/ climb rates can be severe enough in themselves I am very happy the way A/C seats face

Answer 7

It would be safer yes (and this is one of the reasons that the cabin crew seats mostly face the rear of the plane.

But....a "lot" safer....sadly...no. If your plane is trundling along at 300 - 400 mph, then when it hits the ground it does not make a lot of difference which way you were facing!

Answer 8

It would reduce the tib and fib fractures that the bar underneath the seat in front causes, but I think it would just create another set of injuries.

People + high speed + sudden stop always means injury of some sort.

Answer 9

Probably, although fire is the biggest hazard. Another key point is how well the seats are constructed and anchored to take the G forces involved.

Not sure passengers would enjoy riding backwards.

Answer 10

No it would not be safer.If the aircraft is going in one direction (going WEST) and you are facing the EAST the force of gravity would push you forward. That means that you would be hitting the seat in front of you.I don't think that is a good idea.