The story of a viral TikTok video capturing a passenger’s discovery of an empty exit row on a Southwest Airlines flight has caught the attention of millions. The video posted by Chris Olsen shows him realizing the reason why the row was empty, as he was seated right next to the exit door. Despite the usual rush for extra legroom seats, Olsen found this row surprisingly vacant and was able to secure it for himself after confirming with a flight attendant. The footage was captured on a Boeing 737-800, different from the one that had experienced safety issues in recent incidents involving Boeing aircraft.
Boeing has faced scrutiny and safety concerns following a series of incidents involving its planes, including an emergency landing of a 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines due to a door plug malfunction. This has led to questions about the safety of Boeing planes and has caused some passengers to express reluctance to sit in certain seats on the aircraft. In light of these safety concerns and incidents, three in four millennials have reported feeling more anxious about flying. Despite these concerns, Olsen mentioned that despite the unease expressed by some passengers about sitting in the exit row, he was still willing to take the risk in order to have the extra legroom during the flight.
Olsen recounted that while some passengers expressed discomfort with sitting in the exit row due to safety concerns, others seemed unwilling to assist in an emergency situation. Despite this, as a passenger who prioritizes being prepared in case of an emergency, Olsen felt confident in sitting in the exit row. The video capturing this moment of realization has garnered millions of views on TikTok and has initiated conversations about passengers’ attitudes towards airplane safety and willingness to assist in emergencies. Olsen expressed his concern about Boeing’s safety issues but noted that it was not enough to deter him from flying on their planes in the future.
Newsweek reached out to Boeing for comment regarding the recent safety incidents involving their aircraft. The incidents have included an engine fire on a Southwest Airlines plane and an oil leak on an All Nippon Airways flight, in addition to the emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines plane due to a door plug malfunction. These incidents have raised questions about the safety of Boeing planes and have led to increased anxieties among passengers, particularly millennials. Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and exploring connections in order to find common ground on issues related to travel safety and the aviation industry.
