Boeing 787 declares 'Mayday' after engine failure over US

Sit near an emergency exit

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Passengers who are seated within five rows of an emergency exit often have the best chance of surviving a crash that's deemed "survivable." 

Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

If you can choose, definitely avoid sitting in the middle of the plane. Historical data shows middle sections may have a higher fatality rate.

Select flights with safe seats available

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

If the aforementioned seat options aren't available on the flight you're taking, try and change flights. Your safety and well-being are worth it.

Pay attention to the safety demonstration

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Even passengers who fly often should always listen to the safety instructions provided by the flight attendants.

Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

It may seem simple, but understanding how the latch works and consciously remembering it's different than a car seatbelt could make all the difference.

Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

As tempting as it might be to remove your shoes for the flight, don't. If an emergency does occur, you need to be alert and ready to move quickly.

Evacuate promptly

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

During an active emergency, evacuate immediately after being given instructions by the flight crew. Every second counts in scenarios like this.

Avoid unruly behavior

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Don't be the one who adds problems when on an airplane. Consume alcohol in moderation, if at all, and remain cooperative with other passengers and the crew.

Purchase travel insurance

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Even though it may cost more, if an emergency or evacuation does end up happening, it's helpful to have purchased travel insurance. If there are losses due to an incident, they are more likely to be covered.

Limit the number of lithium batteries

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Ensure you reduce the number of devices with lithium batteries as they can overheat and cause fires. Be sure you pack them in your carry-on luggage. 

Store carry-on baggage properly

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Ensuring your carry-on items and luggage are securely stowed can help prevent accidents during turbulence.

Remember most crashes are survivable

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Most crashes and airplane incidents allow for safe evacuation. Be sure to bear this in mind so you can stay calm, hopeful, and with a clear mind.

General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

You never really know when turbulence might happen, so try and keep your seatbelt on at all times, especially when the fasten seatbelt light is on.

Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

Sit near an emergency exit, Avoid sitting in the middle of the plane, Select flights with safe seats available, Pay attention to the safety demonstration, Familiarize yourself with seatbelt operation, Keep shoes on during takeoff and landing, Evacuate promptly, Avoid unruly behavior, Purchase travel insurance, Limit the number of lithium batteries, Store carry-on baggage properly, Remember most crashes are survivable, General safety practices: keep seatbelt fastened at all times, Check emergency oxygen mask placement for children

You should always put your oxygen mask on before helping others, but it's important to know how to assist a child with an oxygen mask in an emergency.