Are you sitting in the safest airplane seat?

Even if you have an extensive travel history, you probably have stayed mostly at home during the last couple of years. Now that Americans are traveling again, you may be itching to book a flight and head to your favorite destination. While fatal aviation accidents are extremely rare, they do happen.

According to reporting from Business Insider, takeoffs and landings are the most dangerous part of any flight. In fact, almost half of all fatal incidents occur while in descent, with another 14% happening during takeoff. To boost your chances of surviving a catastrophe, you must know where to sit.

Choose the exit row

Because your most significant risk is during takeoff and landing, it is advisable to sit in an exit row. Even though you may pay a premium for the additional legroom, being able to quickly exit the aircraft may save your life.

To sit in an exit row, you must be at least 15. You also must be able both to help other passengers and to speak English fluently. If you do not want to sit in the exit row or a seat in the row is unavailable, sitting as close as possible to an exit row makes sense.

Sit in the back of the plane

The back of the airplane may not be the most luxurious place to ride. Still, if the plane collides with something during takeoff or landing, the rear of the aircraft may provide some protection. Obviously, if you sit in the rear, you should identify the nearest exit rows immediately after boarding.

Despite where you sit, you can never eliminate your odds of suffering a serious injury in an accident. Ultimately, pursuing financial compensation may help you pay for the medical care you need to recover completely.