A tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad left all passengers dead except one. Ramesh Viswashkumar, seated in 11A, walked out of the wreckage, sparking global curiosity about whether 11A is somehow the “safest seat” on a plane.
Viswashkumar’s seat was next to an emergency exit. When the Boeing 787 Dreamliner went down, the side of the plane near him remained accessible. “I was lucky to be sitting right beside the door,” he said. On the other side of the aircraft, the exit was blocked by a collapsed building wall.
But aviation experts warn against drawing quick conclusions. “There’s no guaranteed safe seat in a plane,” said aviation safety consultant Ron Bartsch. “In this case, 11A happened to be lucky because of where the exit door was placed and how the crash unfolded.”
Aircraft seating layouts differ across models. What’s seat 11A in one jet might be far from the exit in another. Aisle seats may offer faster access to walkways, but they also come with higher risks during turbulence or baggage falls. Rear seats have statistically shown better chances in some studies, but nothing is certain.
Experts stress the real key to surviving is preparation. Following safety briefings, knowing your closest exits, and staying calm under pressure make a big difference. In a Japan Airlines accident last year, every passenger survived thanks to fast evacuation and passengers obeying crew instructions.
Today’s planes are also safer than ever. From fire-resistant materials to floor lighting and clearer signage, improvements in design have helped save lives in many recent incidents.
