Pilots and flight attendants don’t wear the same seat belt as passengers – for a very simple reason

NEXT time you board your flight, you may notice that pilots and flight attendants have a different seat belt to you.

Pilots have five-point harness seat belts, while flight attendants have four-point harnesses.

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While they can wear the basic two-point lap belt during cruising, they are required to wear the full belt during take-off, landing and turbulence.

One of the main reasons is for safety – flight attendant seats face the other way to the rest of the cabin, with them looking towards the back of the plane.

This means they will need more support during emergencies or during turbulences.

Similarly, pilots need the strong harness in case of severe turbulence to keep them securely in their seats to ensure they can continue operating from the cockpit safely.

Their five straps go across the shoulders, waist and between the legs, to stop them sliding out of their seats.

However, there are two other reasons – to do with passenger behaviour and weight.

According to Aerosavvy.com, if every passenger had the stronger seat belt, it would result in the planes being much heavier.

Not only would it be expensive for airlines to introduce, but it would also make flights more expensive for passengers.

And passengers are also unlikely to be able to use the seat belts correctly to ensure they are safe to use.

The website states: “Flight attendants have a hard enough time getting passengers to wear a simple lap belt.”

Another aviation expert backed this up on Quora, saying: “A flight attendant seat has a four-point harness. The traditional lap belt and two shoulder straps.

“Could one really see John Q. Passenger wearing a four-point harness while seated? How about a toddler or tweener?”

We’ve explained whether it is against the law to not wear a seat belt when the light is on.

A recent terrifying video revealed why you should keep the seat belt on, even if the light turns off.

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