Why don't airplanes put the passenger seats facing

[shraby]

the rear of the plane? Wouldn't it be much safer for passengers in the event of unplanned landings? Instead of the quick stop throwing passengers forward, the quick stop would pull them back into their seats tighter. Anyone want to enlighten me as to why the airplanes don't turn them around?

[stray cat]

some of us may throw up more often on planes

going the opposite direction you are facing is sufficiently disorienting for many to make them ill

[spanone]

15. i'd spew

[FLDCVADem]

1. I asked that same question

after riding on an Air Force medivac flight with seats facing backwards. I was told (don't know how true this is) that the change would never happen in commercial avaiation because it would be too disorienting for passengers should there be an emergency.

[peacetalksforall]

10. If they entered from a rear door instead of a front door, it would be less disorienting, maybe zero

disorienting.

[Mojambo]

2. I never thought about that.

Very curious if any aviation experts know why.

[peacebird]

3. motion sickness probably one problem

[stopbush]

4. Because on take off everybody would be thrown forward in their seats

if they were facing rearward, straining against their seat belt and the G forces? Because the entire flight you'd have the slightly uncomfortable feeling that you were being pushed forward out of your seat?

It's physics.

[FLDCVADem]

7. Excellent point

As that was weird for me on the flight I was on. When the plane takes off, I like to "see" that "upward" motion ahead of me...it was kind of disquieting when on take-off, I was leaning down.

[DRoseDARs]

12. I damn-near threw up on the passengers "behind" me who were facing frontwards.

Fortunately for them, I tend to pass out from terror on take-off and landing. ;) I get why airlines offer such seats (so parents can face their children) but to make them standard? Yech, no thanks.

[jmowreader]

5. Because they would make the passengers queazy on a regular basis

The C-5 has 73 passenger seats in a compartment behind the cockpit, and they face backward. Riding in them is a REAL strange feeling.

[dana_b]

6. I think the first responder is correct

a lot of people can't face that way as it makes them ill. However you are right. If you face backwards, all you need to do is keep your head up straight and against the headrest in an emergency.

[alfredo]

8. The military plane I rode in had seats facing rear. I only had

one moment of queasiness, but that was from being buzzed by an Egyptian MIG.

[jannyk]

9. Southwest used to have some rear facing seats...

...maybe they still do. Years ago, when such things were normal and did not brand you as a terrorist, I bought a last minute 'walk-on' ticket at the gate (SFO-SEA). I was put in a rear facing seat. It was a very odd and uncomfortable experience. On takeoff, I've never been so glad to be held in by my seat belt, without it, my ass would have slid right off the slippery vinyl seat onto the floor. Also, I spent the entire flight feeling like I was being stared at by 75 other people - I know they probably were not all looking at me - but it sure felt like it! I was thrilled that it was a short flight, and have not seen rear facing seats since that time.

[thelordofhell]

17. I sat in those seats and had no problem

One time I even messed with the other passengers by making scary faces.

[Parker CA]

11. Takeoff would be interesting.

[FarCenter]

13. Some planes had two rows facing each other with a table in the middle

I don't recall a problem sitting in the rear-facing seats.

Flight attendant seats are often rear-facing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. Airplanes fly slightly nose-up, even in level flight.

The more they slow down in preparation for landing, the more they pitch up. If your seat were facing backwards you would be tilted slightly downward, and it would be uncomfortable. And takeoffs, during which the airplane is typically pitched up 15-20 degrees, would be really weird.

[lunatica]

16. I would get sick very quickly

I can't travel in trains going backwards or in trailers or campers. Nor can I read while in motion. Within minutes I get nauseated.