[gruturo]

Rear-facing seats are not illegal I think (obviously not allowed for the pilot, currently) - and they have been amply proved to actually be safer. They've been the standard on military planes (again, not for the pilot :-) ) for quite a few years. Once people get around the initial shock (something not to be discounted - it may kill the sales of a car) they are quite happy with them on planes.

[saganus]

I've never heard abour rear-facing seats being safer befofe.

What makes it safer? Do you have any references? It sounds interesting.

Is it because if you crash, your back absorbs the impact better?

[mikeash]

I think that's basically right. The worst crashes are usually frontal, and your entire body is evenly supported, rather than hanging on a seat belt or something.

Rear-facing seats are definitely not illegal in cars. Tesla has them as an option for a third row in the Model S. I think they would be legal in airplanes too, and the main reason they don't see more use is just that people are often uncomfortable not facing the direction they're going.