> But to the point of this discussion, for business / military I wonder how much ugliness plays a factor. If a 5% more effective fighter plane was clashing shades of horrible colors (for camo) and had a laughably ugly form, would it be used? What if the pilot mounted/dismounted in a ridiculous position, maybe upside down? Otherwise, people are dying and wars are being lost for aesthetics. What about 20% more effective? Where is the line?
Military transport planes have rear-facing seats, which are known to be safer. The only reason airlines don't do the same is that passengers wouldn't be happy.
There's some constraints on that. A full passenger jet isn't the same thing as a military transport plane. For example, things coming loose which would hit seatbacks now hit people.
It's also important, IMO, to note that "passengers wouldn't be happy" is a slight underestimate. The number of people barfing from motion sickness would go up pretty dramatically, for one. Even the people not barfing aren't going to like that.
And then of course there's the problem of frequency. Passenger plane crashes are rare enough now that squeezing out the last little bit of safety by causing serious discomfort and other headaches is probably not a good trade-off.
> things coming loose which would hit seatbacks now hit people.
That assumes rapid deceleration. I can certainly imagine that happening in many undesireable situations, major and minor, but how often is there rapid acceleration, minor (e.g., turbulance) or major (e.g. in an uncontrolled dive - if that ever really happens, and if survival is possible regardless)?
> things coming loose which would hit seatbacks now hit people.
> Even the people not barfing aren't going to like that.
Sure, but my understanding is that the only time a rear facing seat has an advantage is when decelerating rapidly. The seat back can support your body better than a lap belt.
Military transport planes have rear-facing seats, which are known to be safer. The only reason airlines don't do the same is that passengers wouldn't be happy.