If you have the chance to choose what plane seat you are going to sit in, there is one which is more likely to be clean and also has plenty of room to stretch out into
A flight attendant has photographed themselves kicking back in the cleanest and most comfortable economy seat on a flight.
While business and first class may offer customers the chance to live it up with a glass of Champagne and ample opportunities to recline, economy needn’t be an uncomfortable experience – even on the most budget of budget airlines.
A member of a cabin crew has snapped themselves tucked up in a comfy looking blanket with plenty of room to stretch their legs out in front. They posted the photo on Reddit and said it was the “best” that could be bagged.
On close inspection it becomes clear that the seat is situated by the emergency exit door, meaning more room is afforded to the lucky passenger who bags it so fleeing customers are able to get out in the event of an emergency.
Not only is it comfortable, the seat may also be cleaner than others. As one person pointed out on the comment thread, “it’s also probably one of the cleanest because kids can’t sit there”.
They are not wrong, at least when it comes to UK flights. The Civil Aviation Authority has ruled that some passengers are not allowed to sit in the emergency exit seat for safety reasons. “If the emergency exit is needed, it is important the exit can be opened and the aircraft evacuated as quickly as possible,” the aviation body writes.
Other people who are not allowed to sit in the seat include:
- Passengers with physical or mental impairment or disability to the extent that they would have difficulty in moving quickly if asked to do so,” are among those who are not permitted to enjoy the
- Passengers who have significant sight or hearing impairment to the extent that it might be difficult for them to respond to instructions quickly.
- Passengers who, because of age or sickness, have difficulty in moving quickly.
- Passengers who, because of physical size, have difficulty in moving quickly.
- Children, whether accompanied or not, and infants.
- Passengers travelling with animals, for example assistance dogs.
As well as looking for more room and a clean seat, passengers may be keen to minimise their chances of suffering from turbulence. According to Sandra Thomas, travel expert at WeMustVisit, you can work out which seat is best for them – and where to sit if turbulence is a concern.
“The best seat on a plane obviously depends on your personal preferences as well as the type of aircraft you’re in. However, if you are looking to book the best seat there are a few things to consider,” she explained.
“For starters, if you appreciate extra legroom then you may want either an exit row seat or a seat in front of the cabin – both typically have more legroom.
“Then there’s comfort. Few know that those seats at the front of the plane usually experience less turbulence compared to back-row seats.” As such, it is well worth booking a seat near the front of the plane if you suffer from flight sickness. You might also guarantee yourself a quieter journey.
“On the topic of getting comfy, if you want to avoid distractions then I’d avoid seats in high-traffic areas such as near the kitchen area or toilets. Seats at the back of the plane can be noisier too as people get up and stretch their legs and stand near the galley kitchens.”