Seats at the front of the plane or directly in front of the emergency exits are very popular. Many holidaymakers even pay extra for more legroom or the supposed safety of the emergency exit right next to them.

Meanwhile, the seats at the very back of the plane often remain empty. Who wants to sit right in front of the toilets? And who wants to wait until everyone else has got off before they can finally get to the exit at the front of the plane? But experienced frequent flyers and travel experts now reveal: these supposedly bad seats are actually the best in the entire plane.

For example, the online travel portal Travel book: “Save your money and choose a seat at the other end of the cabin – in the back row – without paying any extra.” And the advantages are actually obvious:

1. They are the safest places

The magazine Time has analyzed the plane crashes of the last 35 years and found that the seats in the middle of the last row are statistically the safest in the entire plane. There, the fatality rate after crashes is 32 percent, while at the front and in the middle of the plane it is 38 and 39 percent respectively.

2. Here, too, you can often get off quickly at your holiday destination

Often, not only the front door but also the rear door is opened for exiting. In the event of a fall or other emergency, these doors are also opened as an emergency exit (see point 1).

3. You have peace and quiet

One advantage that should not be overlooked: In the last row there are no other passengers shouting loudly behind you, sneezing on your neck or kicking your seat. Since these seats are considered unattractive, you often have no neighbors in the same row and can spread out in peace. You can also fold your backrest back there without disturbing passengers behind you. However, the latter is not possible with all airlines because there is a wall directly behind the seats.

4. You are often served food and drinks first

Many airlines have staff start serving food at the front and back of the plane and then meet in the middle, so you often have the same advantage as the passengers in the front row.

5. Disadvantage and advantage at the same time: The toilet is nearby

Admittedly, this is exactly the reason why many travelers don’t book these seats. On the other hand, it is also an advantage that you don’t have to walk through the entire plane to find the toilet and then possibly stand in a line or not be able to get to your seat on the way back because the employee with the food trolley is standing in front of you (see point 4).