Taking a Flight This Summer? Here Are Five Essential Tips You Need to Know Before Boarding

The horrific crash of Air India’s Boeing 787 flight that killed all but one of 242 passengers and dozens more on the ground in June is just the latest commercial plane disaster that has raised more alarms about overcrowded skies and understaffed air traffic control towers.

Earlier this year, two crashes just two days apart in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia left scores more dead.

Now, frazzled fliers wonder if there’s anything they can do to boost their chance of survival — and the answer is yes!

“The reality is you are likely in more danger driving to the airport than being on the plane,” aviation safety expert Anthony Brickhouse tells GLOBE. “Still, I believe that smart fliers begin their safe journey before they ever arrive at their flight.”

Here are five tips that could mean the difference between life and death:

Choose Safe Seats

Studies show that the back of the plane has a 40 percent higher survival rate than first-class seats.

Brickhouse also suggests counting how many rows are between you and the nearest emergency exit — you may have to find it through blinding smoke.

Be Aware Of The Three-Minute Rule

A shocking 80 percent of plane crashes happen in the first three minutes after takeoff or the last three minutes before landing. Experts say to keep your seat belt low and tight; loose belts can cause serious injury.

Brickhouse adds: “Never take your shoes off until your plane has reached 10,000 feet because you may need to run in a catastrophic event.”

Heed The Warnings Of Flight Attendants

Veteran flight attendants suggest ditching noise-canceling headphones during takeoff or landing so you can hear crew instructions. They also say not to wear clothes made with synthetics that can melt to your skin in a fire.

Spot A Plane In Trouble

If you see maintenance crews swarming a plane before boarding, it could be a last-minute emergency repair. Flight delays from mechanical issues are another red flag.

Avoid Dangerous Airports

They include near-miss–plagued JFK International in New York, and wind-blown Aspen/Pitkin County Airport in Colorado and Chicago O’Hare International.