Aircraft emergency seats. Rossiya will sell good seats at online registration. Seat selection during check-in at the airport
Not everyone can afford to fly in business class and take up a little more space than a standard seat. Those who fly often know that the chance of landing with a large person or someone with different ideas about hygiene is very high. It is impossible to avoid this, but you can try to sit near the window or in the aisle, if it will be more comfortable for you to survive the hardships of the flight.
Russian Forbes gives practical advice on how not to miscalculate with a seat on an airplane.
1. Learn more about the model and seating arrangements on the aircraft
You can find out on which model of aircraft a particular flight is made on the airline's website. Aircraft of different airlines are quite different from each other in terms of cabin comfort. The websites SeatGuru, SeatExpert have all the details about the layout of a variety of aircraft: the presence of electrical outlets and TVs in the backs of the seats, the location of the toilets, the spacing between the rows (usually it is 80 cm, but some companies, such as JetBlue, increased it by 5 cm) - this seemingly small difference is very noticeable during long flights.
The first row behind the business class is considered the most convenient: there is more legroom, no one is sitting in front of you - which means that no one leans back on you, you will be the first to get food, drinks, newspapers, you will get blankets and pillows, for traveling with small children, it is possible to attach a cradle for babies to the wall and put a child seat. But there are also disadvantages here - because of the tables hidden in the armrests, it is impossible to lift these armrests and turn the chair into a sofa, or put a sleeping child on your lap. And if, for example, you are going to work or prepare for a business meeting on the way, it is hardly worth striving to sit in the front rows: neighborhood with children (and they are usually the most here) is unlikely to contribute to concentration.
Seats at emergency exits are also held in high esteem by experienced travelers: the row spacing here is 15 cm more than in the rest of the cabin, but depending on the layout of the cabin, the backs of the seats often do not fall (on long flights, you will regret this) and you can’t keep it on the floor hand luggage. The rules prescribe to plant only tall adults in these places.
“Honestly, for obvious reasons, registration is primarily looked at to make sure that this person is physically strong, energetic and, how can I put it, quick-witted,” says Boris Rybak, director of the consulting company Infomost. “In the event of an emergency, he must open the door and help the crew evacuate passengers.”
Although there are cases when even a fragile girl could convince an airline employee that she needed to fly in this particular row.
In the middle of the cabin, for a significant part of the flight, you find yourself “locked” in carts with food, drinks, newspapers, and duty-free goods. In addition, rows 8-20 are usually the noisiest zone in the aircraft, all the noise of engines and turbines is concentrated here. But there is no such information on websites and cabin maps, and only airline employees at check-in can help you find a quieter place - different types of aircraft have different noise distribution schedules.
At the tail of the plane, the seats are a little narrower (such is the geometry of the plane) - it’s closer to sit there, it shakes harder, a small selection of food, newspapers and magazines (according to the principle - what’s left), next to it is a toilet, which most often has a queue - which means noise. The only plus is that the tail seats are considered safer.
2. Book in advance
Advance booking allows you to choose your seats on the plane long before the flight. This is especially convenient for those who fly big companies- it is difficult to expect that you will all be able to sit next to each other. British Airways has introduced an additional booking fee since October this year: now economy class passengers will have to pay 10 pounds ($16) for the opportunity to choose a convenient seat on European flights and 20 pounds ($32) for long flights, and 20 pounds ($32 ) and 60 pounds ($98) respectively for business class passengers. But most air carriers (with the exception of low-cost ones, which charge everything) still provide this service for free when buying tickets both on the Internet and at airline offices. But few people know about it - because for some reason neither the carriers themselves nor the agents particularly advertise it.
When booking a seat in advance, you can also order special food for yourself (which few people know about either) - all air carriers have different lunch options. Transaero, for example, offers a choice of about 30 different meals - vegetarian, kosher, Muslim, low-calorie, diabetic and others, plus 2 types of baby food.
3. Use online registration
You can also choose a seat convenient for you during online check-in, this procedure is becoming more and more popular - you can check in at the airport at special kiosks, and even on the airline's website. Thus, you save a lot of time (you can arrive at the airport at least 50 minutes before departure), however, there are a number of restrictions - you must travel without luggage, without small children, without animals. In general, this option is suitable for a businessman traveling light. In addition, some companies, such as Delta or Air Berlin, do not display seats near emergency exits (and they are considered good by travelers) in the online check-in system, holding them for tall and large passengers. The second point is that in Russia not all companies have online check-in counters, and so far only in Moscow - in Dodomedovo and Sheremetyevo-2.
In the near future, the creation of a single group boarding pass, which will allow you to get seats next to each other, for example, a large family or a group of passengers - for this they will not have to be all at the airport at the same time, 1 person will be able to register the entire company: the data of several travelers at once will be stored on the chip of one ticket.
4. Arrive early for check-in
Do not neglect the simplest and proven way to get the desired seat in the cabin: do not be lazy and arrive at the beginning of registration. According to the director of the press service of Transaero airline Sergey Bykhal, "the airline's employees at check-in always try to meet the needs of passengers and take into account their wishes." For those traveling alone, this option is also possible: take a chance and play the lottery - arrive, on the contrary, at the very end of registration: if you are lucky, you can be given a seat in business class, and if you are not lucky, you will get a seat from which all other passengers already refused.
5. Choose Low Traffic Days to Fly
Experts recommend, if possible, to schedule flights on the days and hours of the least busy airports - these are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. The busiest days are Friday and Sunday. The busiest flights are in the morning and in the evening. In the half-empty cabins of “weekday” flights, the flight attendants themselves will offer you to transfer to unoccupied rows - it’s quite possible to sleep on three chairs.
6. Try the "unofficial ways"
A few years ago, the practice of getting good seats on board or getting into business class for a bribe to airline employees was widespread (500 rubles invested in your passport can still open your way to an emergency exit seat, but we do not recommend this). American Forbes.com tells the story of a passenger who, on a flight from New York to Germany, was helped by a hundred-dollar bill to get into business class. True, on the way back with the German airline staff, the same trick did not work.
Even the shortest flight always causes a lot of excitement for the traveler. And this is not surprising, because until now many people have a real fear of flying in the sky and believe that they definitely cannot be comfortable. However, experienced travelers know exactly how to make a few hours in the air as enjoyable as possible. Not the last role in this matter is played by the places in which you will sit during the flight. We think that no one will like to travel sandwiched between two chubby neighbors or watch people crowding around your chair wanting to go to the toilet for the whole flight. Therefore, after the cost of the ticket and the reliability of the airline, you should pay attention to which seats on the plane are better to choose. Of course, there is not always unity in this matter, because a lot depends on the size of the passenger, the company with which he flies, as well as personal preferences and the brand of the airliner. But we will try to give you general recommendations on which seats are best to take on an airplane if you want your air travel to be smooth.
Flight class
What are the best seats on an airplane? This question can be answered in different ways, but most passengers know for sure that the comfort of a flight directly depends on what class you are traveling in. This nuance directly affects many characteristics of the trip: the comfort of the seats, the level of service, the quality and choice of food. This is especially important when your flight takes more than four hours and comfort becomes its most important condition. Therefore, if you are thinking about which places to visit then try to choose a higher flight class when planning your trip.
Modern air carriers offer their customers the following travel options:
- Economy class;
- Business Class;
- first grade.
Each of these options has its pros and cons. Therefore, before we find out, for example, what are the best seats on an economy class plane, we will give brief description each flight class.
What to expect from a budget travel?
Most passengers travel by air in this way. After all, economy class tickets always have a low cost and are available to the general mass of tourists. Those who often fly by plane compare such a trip in terms of comfort with a bus ride. Reclining seats are installed in the cabin of the airliner, the distance between the seats will allow passengers of average height and build to stretch their legs and get comfortable. During the flight, you will be sure to be fed, and many airlines also give gifts to the kids, consisting of coloring books, pencils and various games that help pass the flight.
However, keep in mind that the economy class does not boast a lot of amenities. For many passengers, the distance between seats and rows seems too small, and they cannot sit comfortably. This becomes a serious problem when the flight lasts several hours. In addition, traveling in economy class imposes some restrictions on baggage. Recently, major airlines have provided seats in the most budget flight class superior comfort. Usually they cost a little more than usual, but the demand for such tickets shows that they are in high demand among tourists.
Flying in business class
Traveling in business class is extremely comfortable, there are comfortable seats that can be fully expanded and rested during a long and tiring flight. In addition, passengers receive gourmet à la carte meals and a wide range of alcoholic beverages. Each chair is equipped with such pleasant trifles as, for example, sockets to recharge laptops and smartphones.
For many tourists, the answer to the question “which seats on the plane are better to choose for a pleasant and memorable trip” is obvious - naturally, in business class.
Most expensive trip
Not every airline can be proud of having first class seats on board. It is one of the most comfortable of all of the above, but also the most expensive at the same time. Travelers who can afford this type of flight benefit from a host of benefits, including a separate check-in counter and priority boarding.
It is worth noting that first-class flights will seem the most convenient for tourists, but, unfortunately, not every passenger can afford such a luxury. Therefore, in the following sections of the article, we will try to find out which seats on the plane are better to choose for a comfortable and enjoyable trip.
Porthole seats
Many passengers think the best places armchairs located near the porthole. Undoubtedly, they have many advantages, but they are not suitable for all travelers.
You can choose such places if you plan to sleep during the flight, because no one will disturb your sleep, making their way to the toilet. It is quite convenient to be at the window for those who plan to occupy themselves with reading or working on a laptop. There is enough light here, so your eyes will not get tired, and you will be able to fly in comfortable conditions.
However, keep in mind that it will be difficult to go to the toilet from here - you will have to constantly apologize and disturb other passengers nearby.
Is it convenient to fly near the aisle
Those who are trying to figure out which seats on the plane are best for restless travelers should consider aisle seats. They allow you to get up at any time, give you the opportunity to stretch out comfortably, and also go to the toilet without worrying about disturbing your sleeping neighbors, for example. It's nice that the passengers sitting at the aisle are practically the first to go down the ladder after landing the airliner. And therefore, they have a chance without too much fuss to complete all the documents at customs and get luggage before other tourists.
But do not forget about the disadvantages that aisle chairs have. It will be quite difficult for you to take a nap or just relax, because other passengers and flight attendants walk between the rows all the time. In addition, be prepared to get up from your comfortable chair every time your neighbors decide to go to the toilet or just stretch.
Places in the center
In most articles that give advice on which seats on an airplane to reserve for yourself at check-in, seats in the center are called the least suitable option of all. However, it really depends on who is traveling. For example, for families with babies, these places are the most convenient for planting a child. Judge for yourself, he will feel both parents, and during sleep he will be able to stretch out, sitting on the laps of mom and dad. Therefore, many families try, when registering for a flight, to take three seats side by side at once.
But for people traveling alone, it will not be too comfortable to sit in the center seat surrounded by two strangers.
Emergency exits: pros and cons of seats
Some passengers mistakenly believe that emergency exit seats are the best and are often disappointed with their flight. After all, in fact, the seats at the emergency exits in the airliner have their own classification. You need to know about this when you check in for a flight and choose seats on board.
Most lucky are those travelers who managed to get on a row of seats between two emergency hatches. There is plenty of space here even for taller than average passengers, and you can recline the seat back completely without annoying passengers sitting behind you. It is also quite comfortable to sit in the seats that are located in front of the emergency exit. They have increased row spacing, and many airlines even leave space behind by removing a row of seats. However, keep in mind that such places usually do not accommodate women, children and the elderly, who in a critical situation will not be able to act in cold blood. Do not forget that the rules of air carriers are strictly forbidden to put hand luggage near the emergency hatch.
Places after emergency exits are considered in this category the most undesirable for a long trip. The chairs are firmly fixed in one position, so the flight will be extremely unpleasant.
Seats in the nose of the aircraft
The choice of such a place for air travel is in many cases justified. Passengers seated at the front of the aircraft receive drinks and meals first during lunch. They may not be afraid that the flight attendant will run out of juice or mineral water. In addition, they are the first to leave after landing, but this is where mothers with babies are often placed. In the front part of the cabin, you can conveniently fix a baby cradle, so when registering this category of passengers, preference is given. If you don't like traveling around crying babies or plan to work during the entire flight, then try to choose other places for yourself.
The tail section of an airliner
Seats in the tail have long been recognized as the most uncomfortable. There are always crowds of people and there is practically no opportunity to choose hot meals, and after landing, passengers will have to leave after all other travelers.
However, it is often the tail compartment that is not completely filled, so it becomes possible to comfortably sit on three chairs at the same time and sleep. According to statistics, during the crash among the survivors, about seventy percent sat in the tail of the plane.
First rows of seats
Some passengers deliberately choose seats in the front rows of seats. They have a lot of advantages: no one will throw back the seat in front of your nose, and the wall or partition in front creates a certain atmosphere of privacy even in a full cabin of an aircraft.
The best places to travel with children
If you are traveling in full force, then the information about which seats on the plane is better to choose - after all, it is quite difficult to fly with a child, you see, is not an empty phrase for you. This section of the article will be useful to you.
Usually the first rows of seats are called the most comfortable. In them, your child will not interfere with other passengers, for babies there is an opportunity to fix the cradle, the choice of dishes is the widest, and turbulence is felt the least.
Most often, the representative of the air carrier who checks in for the flight takes into account the fact that parents and children should sit side by side. However, it would not be superfluous to recall this, because in the process of work, some employees may not pay attention to the age of the child.
Try to get to the seats in the front of the cabin, because in case of incomplete loading of the liner, you can always change to the tail and put the baby to sleep on three free chairs. Otherwise, you will still have good places in the front rows, where it is quite comfortable with a child.
What are the best seats on an Airbus plane?
General advice on choosing seats in the cabin may not always be effective, because they do not take into account the structural features of the airliner. This nuance must be taken into account when thinking about which seats on the plane are better to choose. Airbus, for example, is a fairly popular aircraft model among Russian airlines. It has several modifications, each has its own characteristics.
The Airbus 319-100 airliner provides for the sale of tickets in two categories: business and economy. For passengers of the second group, the seats in the third row will be the most comfortable. They are the first and are separated from the other cabin by a curtain, which makes it possible to sit very comfortably while traveling. The tenth row is often called "seats of increased comfort", because there is an emergency exit in front of them and travelers are accommodated with great comfort.
The configuration of the cabin of the aircraft "Airbus 320" suggests that the most convenient places are those that are in the third, tenth and eleventh row. The economy is counted from the third row seats and there is a partition in front of them. This eliminates the reclining of the seat in front due to its absence. The tenth row is distinguished by a wide passage from one row to another. However, do not forget that the position of the chairs is securely fixed, so you can only comfortably stretch your legs. The eleventh row can be considered the most suitable for long flights, the backs recline here, and the distance in front is quite enough for even a very tall passenger to sit comfortably.
What are the good seats on a Boeing plane?
These airliners are also often used by Russian air carriers. Boeing is a popular model. What seats on the plane are better to choose if you fly on board this model? We will reveal this secret to you now.
For passengers, it is a serious confusion that the cabins of these airliners are slightly different from each other. In one embodiment, there is a row with two chairs. Here, the most desirable places will be on the fourth, thirteenth and fourteenth rows. The fourth row starts counting in the economy class cabin. There will be a partition in front of the passengers that does not reach the floor. This allows travelers to settle in any position convenient for them. Flight attendants are starting to deliver food from these places, so you will not have any problems with the choice. The thirteenth row is not suitable for everyone, because behind it there is an emergency exit, which means that the transformation of the seat is impossible. However, there are only two chairs and a lot of legroom. The fourteenth row has the most important advantages over other places: reclining seatbacks and an increased aisle between the rows.
The second version of the interior configuration is identical to the first, but here the numbering is shifted by one and there are no rows with two seats. Therefore, similarly to the previous description, places on the fourth, twelfth and thirteenth row will be convenient here.
We hope that after reading our article, you will be able to easily check in for a flight via the Internet and choose the most comfortable seats for yourself and your family. Enjoy your flight and soft landing!
If you like to travel a lot and often, then you probably spend a lot of time on the road, namely on board an airplane. If the flight does not last long, then you do not pay attention to minor inconveniences, but if you need to fly for 8-10 hours, then comfort is of great importance, and other things being equal, I will always choose more convenient flight conditions.
The comfort of your flight depends on many factors - entertainment on board, but most importantly - on the convenience of the very place where you will spend almost the entire journey. Today I want to talk about the difference between different seats on board an aircraft, how to find out in advance which cabin will be on your flight, and how to choose the seat you like.
To choose the best seat on board an aircraft, you must first find out which aircraft you will be flying on. Moreover, even the same aircraft from different airlines may have a different seating arrangement, so it is important to find out not just the type of aircraft, but the specific aircraft.
You can do this even before buying a ticket on the airline's website (in the flight schedule) or in the ticket search engine.
For example, when searching for a ticket for a flight, you can immediately see the name of the airline and the flight number in the route description. Let's look at the example of a London-New York flight:
The first segment of the flight will be operated by Norwegian Air, flight number DY-2802. Using this information, you can learn more about a particular aircraft at www.seatguru.com and www.seatexpert.com.
2. Where to find the interior layout
You can also view the scheme of the salon on specialized sites.
Let's try to find the layout of the aircraft cabin for the same flight London-New York for the first segment of the flight at www.seatguru.com.
First, on the main page, enter the necessary information - the name of the airline and the flight number (we already learned them on the ticket search engine or on the airline's website):
A window opens where you can see what the plane will be like. To see the layout of the salon, click "View map":
A page with detailed information about the aircraft opens, as well as a seating diagram:
3. Features of different places on board the aircraft
In addition to a detailed study of the schemes, you need to remember some features of different places on board and select the best place based on your needs. Consider the different types of seats on the plane.
3.1. Emergency exit seats
If your height is above average, then these places are created especially for you! There is much more legroom in the row opposite the emergency exit than in regular seats. But there are also restrictions - hand luggage will have to be removed to the luggage rack, because. safety rules do not allow you to put things in the aisle to the emergency exit. So you can’t put anything under your own or under the seat of the passenger in front. Also, passengers with children are not allowed to sit at emergency exits. it is assumed that there should be a person sitting at the emergency exit who will be able to help the flight attendants open the emergency exit and carry out the evacuation of passengers.
Also note that if your seat is located in the row that is in front of the emergency row, you will not be able to recline the back of the chair so as not to block the emergency exit.
3.2. Seats at the beginning of the plane
- Most often, the very first row is booked for frequent flyers and passengers with children. So keep in mind that you may not be able to sleep because of a crying baby. Although you are not insured against this in other places, but here the probability is higher.
- Service starts right from the front rows, so you will have the maximum choice of dishes.
- You will have to walk to the toilet, because. business class toilets are normally not allowed to be used.
- After landing, you will be able to leave the plane in the first rows, right after the first and business class passengers.
3.3. Seats in the middle of the plane
These places do not have pronounced disadvantages or advantages. When choosing a seat in the middle of the plane, pay attention to whether the wing of the plane will block your view if you plan to sit near the window.
3.4. Seats at the tail of the aircraft
According to statistics, the places located in the tail section of the aircraft are considered the safest, because. most of the passengers who survived the crash were in the tail section.
But there are no absolutely safe places, so let's look at other features of these places:
- there are toilets in the tail section, which, on the one hand, is convenient - you don’t have to go far, but on the other hand, people will always walk next to you, so it can be very noisy.
- there are not always windows on the last rows, so if you want to enjoy the views, look in advance at the diagram of the aircraft on which you will fly.
- also on the last row the back may not recline, because. no extra bed provided.
- if you like to photograph the view from the porthole, then please note that there may be poor visibility in the tail section due to the exhaust plume.
- if the plane is not packed to capacity, then most of the empty seats are usually in the tail section, so that you can take several seats at once, comfortably lounging.
- if you are flying with a transfer, then it is better not to sit at the very tail of the plane, because. You can only leave the last one, thereby losing a lot of time.
- food distribution usually starts from the beginning or middle of the plane, so if you did not order special meals, some dishes may not be enough for you (for example, you eat only fish, and only a few portions with meat remain).
3.5. The most uncomfortable places
In addition to relatively convenient places that have both advantages and disadvantages, there are also places that are absolutely not recommended to sit on, for example:
- seats in the row located in front of the emergency exit. You won't be able to recline your back.
- seats in the middle row (if the aircraft has three rows of seats, with the layout 3-3-3, 3-4-3, 2-5-2). Especially if you are sitting in the middle of this row - it is difficult to get out to the toilet, you may have to let passengers through yourself, it is also difficult to get something from the luggage rack, it takes the longest time to get out after the plane has stopped.
- places next to the toilet - there may be an unpleasant smell, as well as people scurrying back and forth will not let you rest.
4. How to book a specific seat on board
When you have decided on the place you want to take, you need to book it. You can do this both in advance and immediately before departure. At the same time, you need to understand that the earlier you start booking a place, the more likely it will be to take exactly what you want.
So, there are several options for booking a seat.
4.1. Booking when buying a ticket
If you, then most likely it will be possible to book a place on board immediately upon purchase. Find out about this option right away.
Peculiarities. If you are flying on a low-cost airline, then most likely an additional fee will be charged for booking a specific seat. So I don’t see the point of booking something in advance, only if for some reason you really need a certain place (for example, you are traveling with a child and want to be sure in advance that you will sit next to or take a seat in the first row) . If you do not book a seat in advance, then it is likely that you will be able to use another selection option, more on that below.
4.2. Booking in your account
If you bought your ticket from an intermediary (for example, through or skyscanner), then you can manage your booking on the airline's website. Just go to the airline's website, register (or immediately go to your personal account if you are already registered) and personal account go to "my bookings" or "manage bookings". There you can already select places (if there is such an option) or, for example, insert a card number to count miles.
4.3. Seat selection during online check-in
Online check-in usually starts 24 hours before the departure of the aircraft, but sometimes it opens earlier, you need to find out on the airline's website. It is best to register immediately, in the first minutes after the start of registration, so there will be more chances that you will have time to book the right place. In order not to miss the time, set yourself a reminder. Again, this option does not apply to low-cost companies, because there is a choice of seats only for an additional fee.
4.4. Seat selection during check-in at the airport
Here, too, it makes sense to arrive at the airport early in order to be among the first to check in. The best seats are already taken, but at least you can choose a seat at the window or in the aisle, in the middle of the plane or at the end. If you resort to the front desk at the last minute, then most likely it will no longer be possible to choose a seat. This applies to flights to popular destinations during high season. If you are flying in the low season and the plane is half empty, then closer to the end of check-in, you can, for example, ask for a seat in a free row where there will be no one next to you.
4.5. Seat selection after boarding is completed
As soon as the landing is announced, you can safely choose a more convenient place for yourself. This applies, first of all, to low-cost airlines, because this is the only free seat selection option.
Also, a feature of low-cost airlines is that they sell a little more tickets than seats on an airplane, because. according to statistics, about 10% of passengers do not come to the flight. Therefore, the passengers who arrived the latest can often be put in the best seats, sometimes even put in a business class (if, of course, it is provided in this low-cost).
Frequent flyers know how important it is to choose the best seats on the plane in order to have a pleasant time at altitude and arrive at your destination fresh and rested, and not sit stiff and stare at the clock in tension, dreaming of getting there as soon as possible. For those passengers who know what type of aircraft they will fly on: an Airbus or a Boeing, you should definitely get acquainted with the layout of the seats on the plane in order to take care of choosing the best seats in advance.
Someone, when buying a plane ticket, hopes for good luck and hopes that he will get a good seat anyway, but he is often disappointed when he gets into the middle row seat, being squeezed between full neighbors, while others are “lucky” to be in the very back seats on the plane, with your back to the toilet, and these seats cannot be reclined, and a lot of people are constantly running past you. In order not to get into a similar situation and not to let everything take its course, we recommend that you take care of choosing the best seat on the plane in advance. But for this you need to know all the subtleties, which is why we decided to give you some useful recommendations on how to get a good and comfortable seat in the cabin.
First you need to find out exactly what model of aircraft your flight will be operated on, this is easy to do, you just need to go to the website of your carrier airline. There are many airlines and their aircraft fleet varies, however, it is possible to learn about the lineup of liners and see the layout of seats in the aircraft cabin. By the way, there you will also see such important information for passengers as the location of sockets, toilets, learn about the presence of TVs on the back of the seats, the size of the intervals between the rows. At first it may seem to you that this information is not so important, perhaps yes, if you fly only a couple of hours, but for a long flight it will be important. Let's look at the pros and cons of each type of seat on an airplane.
- many passengers love them, and no wonder, because you can admire the beauties through the glass: fluffy clouds, small towns, rivers, mountains, ships at sea. But, if your flight takes place at night, there is no point in the window, because you still won’t see anything. It’s convenient in this place and just to sleep, because you don’t have to let anyone go to the exit and no one will disturb you. During the daytime, it will be no less comfortable to read here, especially since the natural light from the window creates additional convenience. Of the minuses of choosing a seat by the window, only the need to disturb the neighbors if you need to go to the toilet or just want to stretch your legs and walk around the cabin. It is best to choose such places for thin people, no taller than average, as well as for those who plan to sleep on the road.
- very good seats on the plane, you can get up from them at any time to go to the toilet, while not disturbing anyone, stretch your legs, in addition, you will quickly leave the plane after landing. But, not everything is so cloudless, as you will have to get up to let passengers out of the window seat and in the middle. And yet, people will constantly walk past you, flight attendants will carry carts. However, a seat next to the aisle is great for a tall or overweight passenger, as they will be able to stretch their legs into the aisle if necessary.
- not very convenient places on the plane, you are in a space limited on all sides, between two neighboring passengers and it will be a great success if they are miniature in size. But more often it is the other way around. Of course, getting up and going to the toilet from the middle row chair will be easier than from the one by the window, but you still have to disturb one neighbor, and the other will bother you if he needs to go out. It is better to choose these places for people of average build, so that it is not a problem to get up and squeeze through the seats every time to let out a neighbor.
- A great option that experienced travelers and tall people prefer to choose. The fact is that there is an increased interval to the next row, which is fifteen centimeters higher than the usual distance between the rows of seats. Sitting in such a place during the flight is much more comfortable, because you can stretch your legs, get up at any time, without disturbing anyone. But before you plan to buy this seat, you should look at the layout of the cabin of the aircraft with which you are going on a flight, because some types of airliners do not have seats near the emergency exit or it is impossible to lower the back of such seats in some aircraft, this is problematic during many hours of flight, in addition, you can not put hand luggage on the floor near the emergency exit. According to the rules, a ticket to such places is prescribed to be sold only to tall people, but there are exceptions. But, do not hope to buy a ticket for these places with children or an elderly person - this is prohibited by the instructions. The airline expects that during an emergency evacuation, the person sitting on this seat will help the flight attendants open the emergency hatch and take people out of the cabin.
- more comfortable and wide seats, they are taken apart at the beginning of check-in for the flight. It is very comfortable to sit here, in addition, meals are served from the “nose” of the cabin, so the passenger in these chairs has the opportunity to choose from a wider range of drinks and food. And yet, you will be among the first to get off the plane upon arrival. There are also disadvantages here, since they most often try to put passengers with small children on the “nose”, cradles are attached there. Neighborhood with a small child who screams endlessly does not contribute to comfort in flight, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time in the air.
- not the most popular seats in the cabin, but are considered the safest, since according to statistics, most of the passengers who survived catastrophes and accidents occupied seats in the tail. And another plus of these places is the proximity of the toilet, but this is also their minus, because people will run past you throughout the flight. It will be a bit cramped to sit in the tail, and there is more shaking there, however, in the tail, there are often empty seats, which makes it possible for passengers to sleep while stretched out on free seats. But there are still disadvantages, while the flight attendant will take the cart with food to the passengers sitting in the tail, there is practically no choice of food and drinks. But, as compensation, on large planes, passengers leave the nose and tail at the same time, so you can quickly leave the liner if you sit in the back. These seats are often chosen by passengers with children who often have to be taken to the toilet.
- they are located behind the business class, that is, this is not the “first row” as such, but there are no seats in front of it, so it’s comfortable to sit, no one can recline in front of your face. But it often happens that on some types of aircraft there is a partition in front of these places or there is an on-board kitchen or a toilet cabin, and what is most uncomfortable is that baby cradles are sometimes attached there. That is why these seats in the cabin are often given to families with small children, as well as to elderly and overweight people. There are many advantages to such a place: you will be the first to bring food and drinks, offer the press, distribute blankets and pillows. Of the minuses, it is possible to note the inability to remove the armrests, since they are fixed, due to the fact that there is a table hidden inside, and also, a person without children will be uncomfortable from being next to them, because because of their noise he will not be able to sleep, not concentrate at work or reading.
- this is not a very comfortable flight option, because passengers sitting on these chairs are constantly surrounded by carts carried by flight attendants. And it is also a very noisy part of the aircraft, where the noise of the engine, the hum of the turbines is concentrated. Most often, this is a row from the eighth to the twentieth in the middle of the cabin.
How to choose the best seat on the plane?
You need to book it in advance. This is recommended for passengers flying with a large family or in the company of friends, as well as with small children. Contacting an air carrier early will allow you to choose the seats that you feel most comfortable with and meet all your flight expectations. Some European airlines charge an additional fee for the service of choosing the best seat when booking, but most companies provide this option free of charge to those passengers who arrived earlier for check-in or purchased a ticket with a fixed seat in advance via the Internet or at the airline office. If you have used the service of advance seat reservation on the plane, you have the right to choose a meal option from different types of meals.
Choosing the best seat on the plane can be done through online check-in, you can do it either at the airport itself, going to a special kiosk, or go to the airline's website. This procedure saves time, but it can only be used by passengers without luggage, children or animals. But it is worth taking into account the fact that in a number of airlines good seats near emergency exits are not offered through the online check-in system, they can be obtained at the check-in counter even if you are tall, plump or have an enviable charm. And within the framework of our country, with online check-in counters, not everything is so good: so far they are only in two Moscow airports, Dodomedovo and the second Sheremetyevo. Therefore, it is best to drive up in advance to the beginning of check-in for the flight, and then ask the airline employee for a better place.
As for the recommendations of aviation experts, if it doesn’t matter to you which day of the week to fly, then take a closer look at the days with the least flight traffic: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, when the cabins are half empty, and there is a choice of seats. But Friday and Sunday are considered the most congested days.
Let's find out which seats are best to choose, and which are only as a last resort on popular types of airliners that are available in almost all airlines in the world.
- On Airbus A319 aircraft good seats are: seventh row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; sixth and eighth row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; the twentieth row of places C, D. Bad places are: twenty-first row A, B, C, D, E, F.
- On Airbus A320 aircraft good places are: thirteenth row of places A, B, C, D, E, F; as well as all the places of the first row, the eleventh row, the twelfth row; in the twenty-eighth row, seats C and D. The worst places on the Airbus A320 are all the seats in the twenty-ninth row.
- On Airbus A321 aircraft- on the largest airliners from Airbuses, the best seats are: the eighth row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F; 20th row seats A and F; first row seats A, C, D, F; eighteenth row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; nineteenth row seats B, C, D, E; the thirtieth row of seats C, D. The worst places are: the thirty-first row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F.
- On Boeing 737-800 aircraft This aircraft is of two types. With a one-class cabin for one hundred and eighty-four passengers, where the best places are considered: the fifteenth row of seats B, C, D, E; sixteenth row seats A, F; fourteenth row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; first row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; tenth row place A; eleventh row seats A, F; thirteenth row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; thirtieth row of seats C, D. Bad seats are: thirty-first row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F. An aircraft with a two-class cabin, where there are sixteen business class seats and one hundred and forty-four economy class seats, there the best seats are: third row seats A, B, E, F; seventh row seats A, B, C, D, E, F; tenth row place A; eleventh row seats A, F; thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth rows of seats A, B, C, D, E, F; thirtieth row of seats C, D. Bad seats are: thirty-first row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F.
- On Boeing 747-400 aircraft- a huge aircraft, designed to carry five hundred and twenty-six people. The best places in it are considered: the first row of places A, C, H, K; third row seat D; ninth row seats A, C, D, E, G, H, K; twenty-fourth row seats A, C, D, E, G, H, K; twenty-seventh row places C, D, G, H; thirty-second row of seats B, C, H, J; thirty-third row of seats A, K; thirty-fourth row seats D, E, F, Q; forty-second row seats A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K; forty-third row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K. Bad seats are: fifty-sixth row of seats A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, TO.
- On Boeing 777-300ER aircraft- also a large aircraft with three classes of service, designed for four hundred and two passengers. We do not consider business class, as all seats are good there. The best seats in the economy class are: the eleventh row of seats A, C, F, Q, H, K; the fifteenth and sixteenth rows of places A, K; seventeenth row places A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K; eighteenth row places C, H; twenty-fourth row seats A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K; thirty-sixth row seats A, C, D, E, F, G, H, K; thirty-eighth row of places A, B, C, H, J, K; forty-sixth row of seats C, H; the forty-seventh row of seats C, N. The following are considered bad places: the twentieth row of seats A, K; the fiftieth row of places A, C, H, K; 51st row seats D, E, F, G.
An experienced traveler, even before boarding the plane, is sure that he will be comfortable flying. He knows how to extract the right information from a seating plan and book the most comfortable seat long before he arrives at the airport.
He takes into account a lot of nuances and as a result enjoys the journey. Yes, in order to be able to do this, you need to make a lot of flights - or read the Kidpassage article once.
It contains everything you need to know about the best airplane seats and how to book them. Our review will be especially useful for parents with babies: they definitely need to know how to choose a seat on an airplane so that the flight goes smoothly.
Aircraft seat classes
The comfort of the seats and the range of services on the plane depends on which class you are flying. All seats in the cabin are divided into three main classes - economy, business and first class.
Most often, tourists buy economy class seats. In terms of comfort, they can be compared with modern buses: seats are installed in the cabin, between which a small legroom is left.
People of average height will be able to get comfortable, but long-legged passengers need to know which seat is best to choose.
Parents with restless children will also need a life hack for choosing seats in economy class: who would want a child to stomp on their feet for several hours of flight?
However, flying in economy class does not mean depriving you of all amenities. You will definitely be fed during the flight, besides, many airlines offer free baby food - ask how to order such a service (usually you need to inform about such a need 24-48 hours before the flight).
For babies, you can reserve a hanging cradle. Often, air carriers give small tourists gifts - toys, coloring books, stickers: new entertainment will help the child pass the time in flight. Each seat can be equipped with a TV.
Note that an economy class ticket imposes a baggage restriction: most often it is allowed to carry up to 20 kg of baggage per person free of charge. You can take hand luggage into the cabin by placing it on a special shelf or under a chair.
Business class seats on the plane are somewhat more comfortable. The distance between the seats is greater, and the seats themselves are usually arranged so that during the flight you can relax.
Business class passengers are offered more plentiful and refined meals, and the free baggage allowance is increased. Also, seats in business class are equipped with sockets, so that passengers can charge their smartphone or connect a laptop.
Sometimes planes have first class seats. This is the most comfortable class for long-haul flights, but also the most expensive. A common bonus for first and business class passengers is a separate check-in counter for boarding.
Please note: some airlines introduce their own gradation of seats on the plane, creating extra comfort seats in economy class.
Where is the best place to sit on an airplane?
You will be surprised, but travelers do not have a single opinion on which seats on the plane are better. Preference is influenced by various factors, from the height of the passenger to his ideas about safety.
We propose to consider several options for accommodation in the cabin in order to find out their advantages and disadvantages.
1. Seats along the sides of the aircraft. Convenient if the child wants to look out the window or you are going to read, draw with the baby, do other things that require good lighting.
If your family takes up all the adjacent seats, you will have two additional advantages: you will not disturb the neighbors if you need to go to the toilet, and the tallest member of the family will be able to straighten his legs in the aisle.
2. Aisle seats. Suitable if you have a restless child - he will have the opportunity to at least stretch a little in the aisle. With a baby who will sleep in your arms, it is better not to choose this place: on the one hand, you will be disturbed by fellow travelers who need to go to the toilet, on the other, by flight attendants delivering food around the cabin.
3. Front row seats. The most comfortable seats on an airplane for flying with a baby: usually it is in the front row that mounts for a hanging cradle are provided. Since there are no seats in front, no one will lower the back of their chair and take away your space.
Also, passengers in the front seat are usually the first to receive food and can choose from any of the proposed menu options. But there are also disadvantages: a bag with children's things that will be needed during the flight cannot be pushed under the seat in front.
I'll have to put it at my feet, and this will take up space. Another drawback is that, as a rule, the armrests of the seats in the first row do not rise, so you cannot turn neighboring seats into a solid sofa.
4. Seats in the middle row in wide-body aircraft. Not a bad choice if you manage to occupy three adjacent chairs. If the flight is relatively short, then the flight attendants and passengers passing along the rows will not annoy you.
5. Seats in the tail. According to statistics, these are the safest places on the plane. If your fear of air travel is great, dive deep into the cabin and switch to dreaming about what family entertainment awaits you in a few hours. But if you are not afraid to fly, it is advisable not to choose seats in the tail of the aircraft - the cons greatly outweigh the pros.
The backs of the seats in the last row do not recline, and a long flight can be a torment. Also, at the end of the salon, a small queue of people who want to get to the toilet usually gathers.
Almost all the information you need about the benefits of a particular place can be obtained by studying the plan of the salon. You will find it on the websites of air carriers or on aggregator websites offering a search for air tickets.
For example, the SeatGuru service allows you to find an aircraft by flight number and study the cabin layout. A description is given for each place on the plan: the width of the chair, the distance between the seats, the location of the portholes, sockets, and toilets are indicated.
If the air carrier offers extra-comfort seats, they will also be marked on the map.
Aircraft emergency exit seats
Emergency exits in the aircraft are located, as a rule, on both sides in the middle part of the cabin. If you manage to get into the seats in front of which the emergency exits are located, then in flight you will feel very good.
The main advantage of these seats is the increased distance between the seats. The child will be able to move without leaving the main aisle, it will be easier for you to get out to the toilet, and the lowered backs of the front seats will not be particularly bothersome.
But it should be noted that usually next to the emergency exits they try to put strong passengers who, in case of an emergency, will be able to help other people get out of the cabin. Children under 12 and pregnant women are not seated in these places.
Even if there are a lot of empty seats on the plane, and you manage to get next to the emergency exit, you will have to put your hand luggage on the top shelf.
Please note that some airlines offer emergency row seats for an additional fee.
Where is the best place to sit on a plane with a child
With all the pros and cons, the best place on an airplane for a flight with children is the front rows of seats. It is important that there are much more pluses: increased space in front of the chair, the presence of fixtures for the crib, the ability to choose food.
In addition, there is less shaking in the front of the aircraft if the aircraft enters a turbulent zone.
It must be said that the employees who check in for the flight often try to allocate seats on the plane for children under 2 years old in the front.
This means that there may be several babies next to you, not each of which will sleep peacefully all the way. If silence is more important to you than a hanging cradle, ask for a seat in the middle of the cabin.
In the case when you are flying alone with a child over 2 years old (and such a traveler needs a separate seat), try to take first and third place in a group of three seats.
If the flight is not loaded, it is possible that no one will be put in an empty seat between you. And you will have an extra seat - on an airplane with a child, it is better to have at least a small island for games and recreation.
When choosing a seat on an airplane, do not try to get into the tail section with children. But if there are a lot of empty seats in the liner, then after the announcement of the end of the landing, you can move to the tail and take three adjacent seats. It is quite possible to put a child to sleep there.
Please note: check-in staff do not always pay attention to the age of travelers and may give seats to parents and children in different parts of the cabin. Therefore, during check-in, ask to be placed next to the children.
How to choose a seat on an airplane using an electronic ticket
There are two ways to sit in the cabin of the aircraft that you like the most. The first is to find a location before departure seats on the plane, study their benefits, show up at the check-in counter two hours before departure and ask to be seated in the selected seats.
The front desk clerk is likely to meet you halfway unless those seats are already filled. The fact is that advanced travelers try to book a seat on the plane immediately when buying an electronic ticket.
Advance booking of seats in the cabin is the second way to ensure your comfort during the flight. We recommend that you choose your seats on the plane online immediately after you have bought an e-ticket.
This service is provided by many airlines, as well as aggregator sites. When there is no line of people who want to check in for a flight behind you, you can safely study how the seats are located on the plane and choose the most convenient ones.
It is enough to mark the necessary seats on the interactive diagram, and the airline will receive information about the seat reservation. Then at the airport you will be sure that you will be accommodated in the cabin with comfort.
Sometimes at the time of booking it turns out that the best seats are already taken. Do not rush to get upset: this may mean that the airline holds the most comfortable seats until check-in opens.
Often they are left in order to accommodate passengers with babies or tall people. In this case, we recommend using the first method - come early to check-in and ask to be seated comfortably.
Important: not all airlines provide the possibility of booking seats before check-in opens. It is also not possible to book seats on low-cost flights.
Now you know what needs to be done to make the flight go smoothly. Let's share a few more little things that will help you get the most profitable seats.
- Do not be lazy to study the scheme of the aircraft. So you will know in advance how not to be in an uncomfortable place - for example, next to the toilet (and in large liners bathrooms are located not only in the tail of the aircraft).
- Look for testimonials from travelers who have flown the same type of aircraft you will be flying. From there you can get useful information: from the temperature on board to the small services that make the flight easier.
- Try to get on a less busy flight - there will be more chances to get a good seat. Usually, flights on weekdays, except Friday, have fewer passengers than on weekends.
- During registration, ask to be placed in the places you like. If you haven't decided on a seat, just say that you would like to sit next to the window, or in the aisle, or in the front row. You can also ask for a "quiet place": the plan of the aircraft does not provide information about the location of the engines, but the employees know where the hum of the engines is heard the least.
- If you still got unfavorable seats, transfer to the best ones after the announcement of the end of boarding.
- Do not take places behind which emergency exits are located. These chairs usually do not have reclining backs or the backs recline slightly.
- Some airlines provide passengers with the most comfortable seats for a surcharge. You can resort to this service to play it safe. But if you use our tips, then in most cases you can comfortably get on the plane and at no extra charge.