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Why Do Airlines Seats Face Forward Rather than the Safer Option of Having Airline Seats Facing Backward?.

This is a question I get along with why do we all face toward the door on elevators.

Airlines don't have backward-facing seats as they are heavier and have to meet higher safety standards, and they would have to have all the seats face backward, so there is a cost issue.

But the other reasons are more customer service/ body language-related.

Some people feel more nauseous facing backward,

When we are a passenger in a car, we are used to facing forward toward the driver, so it gives a sense of familiarity and control over the experience.

Nonverbally the primal limbic brain wants to face the body is going.

Sitting backward triggers the same limbic brain fear response that having your back to the door (as in the caveman does not want to have his back to the entrance to the cave) makes you feel.

Some people want to face the way they entered the plane as it calms them down as they think they know where the exit is. (Thus, the flight attendant's speech that says the closest exit may be behind you.)

It's easier to get the passengers off if they exit up and out of their seats toward the front.

 

 





Patti Wood, MA - The Body Language Expert. For more body language insights go to her website at www.PattiWood.net. Check out Patti's website for her new book "SNAP, Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language and Charisma" at www.snapfirstimpressions.com.