New Delhi, June 20 -- Belief in destiny or just peace of mind? Passengers scramble to book the same seat occupied by the sole survivor of a recent Air India crash.

Demand for seat 11A on flights has soared across India after it emerged that the only survivor of last week's Air India Flight 171 crash was seated there, The Times of India reported.

The seat, located next to an emergency exit on some aircraft, has now taken on an almost mythical status, with passengers requesting it regardless of safety data or seat configuration.

"It has to be a seat next to the emergency exit. I am willing to fork out any extra amount for it," said Jitender Singh Bagga, a businessman preparing for a flight to the United States, speaking to the news outle...