Best seats in the house?

Nick-H · May 13th, 2005, 18:56

...err, plane, that is.

Given that that I'm talking Economy class, and that the airlines have long-since caught on that they can charge more for exit seats with loads of legroom, where is the best place to sit on a long-haul trip?

For a short trip I'd always go for a window seat, but for a long trip I try to get an aisle seat in the centre block, as that means I can get out whenever I want and only one person (on a BA 747) has to climb over me to get out.

I've just been looking at the seating plan for my return trip to London and I see that the rearward blocks of seats, which are in pairs, rather than threes or fours, are available. This looks pretty good especially as I'll be travelling with a friend. But what are the disadvantages?

Is the motion much worse at the very back of the plane? Is it noisier?

My friend is a first-time flier and I want to make her trip as easy as economy class for ten hours can be.

Apart from a few return trips to India, I really do not know much about planes. But I bet someone here does!

ColinT · May 13th, 2005, 19:08

Hi Nick, I came back with Lufthansa about 6 weeks ago and I was at the back of the plane. You tend to feel more movement there but its not too bad, and as I was nearly at the end of the plane I got my food quickly and there was only two seats instead of three. Not far from the toilet either. Very convenient but a bit more wobbly.

seventies'hippy · May 13th, 2005, 20:01

Don't get a seat too far back ie next to the toilets,
Tends to get a queue early mornings and if you're trying for some shuteye knocks & people passing are the last thing you need.
I've never really noticed extra rocking or anything sat at the rear,,,,,,,,
But you do get the trolly dollies first.

cyberhippie · May 13th, 2005, 20:03

Trolly dollies is that the inflight entertaiment

Nick-H · May 13th, 2005, 20:08

Thanks Colin. I do always spend some time at the back looking out the window, often the cabin-crew seat is available, and I had the impression it was noisier, but I didn't really notice the motion. I've assumed that the wing area would be the most stable, and it sounds like you agree.

step one complete:she has her new Indian Passport.

Step two is to see just how unhelpful my countrymen are when it comes to visas...

Paagla Dashu · May 13th, 2005, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Step two is to see just how unhelpful my countrymen are when it comes to visas...

They are not if there is a British sponsor and enough funds (you need to prove) for her stay in UK and deportation if necessary.....

cyberhippie · May 13th, 2005, 20:24

MMmm good luck with the visa I heard mixed stories on getting a visa for Indian nationals!!
Did the British goverment ever implement, the much debated bond for Indian's requiring visas??

stormysky · May 13th, 2005, 20:28

Dunno about the Visa.
If you are flying Lufthansa, Id recommend that you ask for the first row of seats after the Biz Class. This row offers the mazimum leg space. The only drawback would be you would need to look up at about 60 - 75 deg angle to view the TV thing on the flight.

The seats next to the loo are also great in terms of leg room.

Leg room is the most important thing for me as I'm pretty tall by Indian standards 6' 2" and a little more

Cheers Nick
Wishing both of you a safe and happy journey.

Kanbe · May 13th, 2005, 20:42

hi, just near the rear of the airplane can be noisier (near engine) and also more tubulence. like others have said, try and avoid seats nearest toilets and gallery.

Nick-H · May 13th, 2005, 20:47

Thanks for the encouragement, Paagla.

I guess I'm the sponsor

I can show I have a few thousand in the bank, she'll have a return ticket and also a letter from her boss saying she's a long-term trusted employee on two months leave and they expect her back.

CyberHippie... I never heard of that debate, but I'm pretty sure that they didn't. In fact they specifically say on the site that they will not accept guarantees from sponsors even if offerred.

Nick-H · May 13th, 2005, 20:50

Kanbe..... noise + motion = more space and less interference from seat-mates. Hmmm, hard choice

cyberhippie · May 13th, 2005, 21:16

Good I'm glad it never seen the light of day it was discriminatory I think the amount talked about was 3000GBP but don't quote me on that!
Thanks for sorting me out on that one!!
I hope it all goes smoothly with your friend!

Here's a link to the story!!

Bond for Indians!

Nick-H · May 14th, 2005, 00:14

Thanks for the link. That item is 2002, and it says "if they suspect..." so they might have made it law

Grim

cyberhippie · May 14th, 2005, 00:44

Jeez 2002 I really must get a grip on reality, seems like yesterday when I read that over bhaji in Palolem
Nick I'm sorry to worry you unnecessarily.
Again I hope all goes well.
Otherwise a thread on "how to obtain a British visa as a Indian citizen" would make for interesting reading don't you think??

Nick-H · May 14th, 2005, 00:54

Yes, it would make very intersting reading. I wish there was one already!!!

May 13th, 2005, 18:56	#1
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Best seats in the house? ...err, plane, that is. Given that that I'm talking Economy class, and that the airlines have long-since caught on that they can charge more for exit seats with loads of legroom, where is the best place to sit on a long-haul trip? For a short trip I'd always go for a window seat, but for a long trip I try to get an aisle seat in the centre block, as that means I can get out whenever I want and only one person (on a BA 747) has to climb over me to get out. I've just been looking at the seating plan for my return trip to London and I see that the rearward blocks of seats, which are in pairs, rather than threes or fours, are available. This looks pretty good especially as I'll be travelling with a friend. But what are the disadvantages? Is the motion much worse at the very back of the plane? Is it noisier? My friend is a first-time flier and I want to make her trip as easy as economy class for ten hours can be. Apart from a few return trips to India, I really do not know much about planes. But I bet someone here does! __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

May 13th, 2005, 20:01	#3
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	Don't get a seat too far back ie next to the toilets, Tends to get a queue early mornings and if you're trying for some shuteye knocks & people passing are the last thing you need. I've never really noticed extra rocking or anything sat at the rear,,,,,,,, But you do get the trolly dollies first. __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

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May 13th, 2005, 19:08	#2
ColinT Future Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: UK Posts: 335	Hi Nick, I came back with Lufthansa about 6 weeks ago and I was at the back of the plane. You tend to feel more movement there but its not too bad, and as I was nearly at the end of the plane I got my food quickly and there was only two seats instead of three. Not far from the toilet either. Very convenient but a bit more wobbly.

May 13th, 2005, 20:03	#4
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Trolly dollies is that the inflight entertaiment

May 13th, 2005, 20:08	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Thanks Colin. I do always spend some time at the back looking out the window, often the cabin-crew seat is available, and I had the impression it was noisier, but I didn't really notice the motion. I've assumed that the wing area would be the most stable, and it sounds like you agree. step one complete:she has her new Indian Passport. Step two is to see just how unhelpful my countrymen are when it comes to visas...

May 13th, 2005, 20:24	#7
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	MMmm good luck with the visa I heard mixed stories on getting a visa for Indian nationals!! Did the British goverment ever implement, the much debated bond for Indian's requiring visas??

May 13th, 2005, 20:28	#8
stormysky Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 99	Dunno about the Visa. If you are flying Lufthansa, Id recommend that you ask for the first row of seats after the Biz Class. This row offers the mazimum leg space. The only drawback would be you would need to look up at about 60 - 75 deg angle to view the TV thing on the flight. The seats next to the loo are also great in terms of leg room. Leg room is the most important thing for me as I'm pretty tall by Indian standards 6' 2" and a little more Cheers Nick Wishing both of you a safe and happy journey.

May 13th, 2005, 20:42	#9
Kanbe la la laa Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: lala land Posts: 350	hi, just near the rear of the airplane can be noisier (near engine) and also more tubulence. like others have said, try and avoid seats nearest toilets and gallery.

May 13th, 2005, 20:47	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Thanks for the encouragement, Paagla. I guess I'm the sponsor I can show I have a few thousand in the bank, she'll have a return ticket and also a letter from her boss saying she's a long-term trusted employee on two months leave and they expect her back. CyberHippie... I never heard of that debate, but I'm pretty sure that they didn't. In fact they specifically say on the site that they will not accept guarantees from sponsors even if offerred.

May 13th, 2005, 20:50	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Kanbe..... noise + motion = more space and less interference from seat-mates. Hmmm, hard choice

May 13th, 2005, 21:16	#12
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Good I'm glad it never seen the light of day it was discriminatory I think the amount talked about was 3000GBP but don't quote me on that! Thanks for sorting me out on that one!! I hope it all goes smoothly with your friend! Here's a link to the story!! Bond for Indians!

May 14th, 2005, 00:14	#13
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Thanks for the link. That item is 2002, and it says "if they suspect..." so they might have made it law Grim

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May 14th, 2005, 00:44	#14
cyberhippie Account Closed by User's Request Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: the Netherlands Posts: 6,012	Jeez 2002 I really must get a grip on reality, seems like yesterday when I read that over bhaji in Palolem Nick I'm sorry to worry you unnecessarily. Again I hope all goes well. Otherwise a thread on "how to obtain a British visa as a Indian citizen" would make for interesting reading don't you think??

May 14th, 2005, 00:54	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,792	Yes, it would make very intersting reading. I wish there was one already!!!