What's the best cabin layout for aircraft evacuation?

A new study brands the ubiquitous 2-3-2 seat layout a dud for emergency evacuations, arguing fewer rows with more exits let everyone slide out faster. The research found that 3-3-3 configurations, like those on #5's aircraft, improve evacuation speed by 22% over 2-3-2. With 4 rows instead of 5, the study calculates a 15-second reduction in total evacuation time. This data-led approach could redefine safety standards for future cabin designs.