Why aren't airliner seats faced backwards?

[The_Eric]

On the surface it seems like a good way to increase survivability in a crash and it shouldn't hinder the airlines ability from cramming as many seats as humanly possible in the air frame. What say those familiar with flying?

 

[4WD]

Some of the BA planes I fly do have those - hence:

 

[eljefino]

Sounds like a good way to use the little foldy bag in the seatback.

 

[AZjeff]

Motion sickness for one.

 

[burbguy82]

Motion sickness for one.

 

[GON]

USAF C5 upper seats are rearward facing.

Many lie flat seats also have rearward facing seats (alternate forward facing- reward facing).

 

[y_p_w]

I’ve seen rear facing seats before. Southwest and Alaska Airlines.

 

[dishdude]

A lot of widebody business class cabins have rearward facing seats to maximize space in the little pods. The only odd sensation is during take off when you're getting pushed forward, otherwise you don't notice it, I don't mind it one bit. It's kind of cool to get pushed into the seat when landing. The seats also have shoulder belts.

 

[JRay’07]

Who knows. Why not bolt the chairs to the ceiling and fly inverted so that everyone is right side up again?

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Good question, we took trains through multiple countries in Europe and most trains had forward and rear facing seats. I noticed no difference in the feel when moving.

 

[VolvoZ]

We really enjoyed the “family seating” (3 forward facing seats across coupled with 3 rearward facing seats) in the back of Southwest Airlines planes many years ago. As a family of five, it was a fun experience to chat, play games together, etc. None of us ever had a problem with the acceleration/deceleration sensations. I suppose the same could be said about rear facing seats in old station wagons.

 

[y_p_w]

Good question, we took trains through multiple countries in Europe and most trains had forward and rear facing seats. I noticed no difference in the feel when moving.

A lot of American trains have rear facing seats. A lot of commuter trains operate in push-pull configuration where they don't need to turn around the train, so it's typically half forward and half rearward. I've also sat at tables.

I've been on a train in another country where the seats could rotate around in pairs. Apparently they have these now in Australia:

 

[y_p_w]

Since I mentioned Southwest, I figure an article and photo are in order. I distinctly remember them.

https://simpleflying.com/southwest-airlines-unique-seating-arrangement/

 

[RedSpider]

Where the heck would you even put your feet in that arrangement? No thanks, I have enough social anxiety as is. If I got on the plane and was flying from LAX to Hawaii and when I got to my seat, that was the seating I see, I would turn around, say excuse me 57 times as I plow my way to the front of the plane and walk right out of that airport and go rent a rowboat and start the four months of rowing to get there before I would plop my butt in one of those seats.