Posted in Travel Tips January 24, 2018 by

The Unusual Reason Why Most Passengers Prefer The Right Side Of The Plane

When it comes to flying, you’ve probably weighed the advantages of an aisle seat versus a window seat. Yet if you’re like most flyers, you undoubtedly prefer the right side of the plane to the left. This isn’t a choice but rather something of an instinct, according to a small study carried out recently by the University of Edinburgh. Here’s more on these fascinating findings:

Is there a side of the plane that feels most natural to you? According to a recent study, it could have a lot to do with whether you're right or left handed.
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The study, performed by Dr. Stephen Darling, interviewed 32 people (all of whom happened to be right-handed) and they agreed that the right side of the plane was where they preferred to be seated.
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A majority preference of the right side of the plane is perhaps unsurprising given the fact that 70-95% of the population is right handed.
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Dr. Darling believes that the preference for the right side also indicates what's known as a "rightward bias" in the world. In other words, the right side of the plane felt instinctually more comfortable and natural.
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While this principal certainly doesn't apply to everyone, especially given the small-scale nature of the study, it does offer fascinating insight into an otherwise arbitrary decision between left and right.

What are your thoughts on this study? Do you prefer the right side of the plane as well? Be sure to share your thoughts and experiences with us! For related content, you may enjoy reading about The Confusing Etiquette Of Flying In The Middle Seat And Who Should Really Get The Armrest.