A Virgin Atlantic flight attendant with five years’ experience has shared the airplane seats they would never choose – with tips to stay comfortable on long-haul economy flights.
Enduring long-haul flights can be a daunting prospect, especially when you’re crammed into economy class for over 10 hours.
But fear not, there are ways to make the journey more tolerable, comfortable and perhaps even more enjoyable .
Medical travel insurance firm AllClear has joined forces with a seasoned Virgin Atlantic cabin crew member to reveal top tips for maintaining comfort in economy class.
The flight attendant, boasting five years of experience in the skies, shared some seating choices they would personally avoid, reports the Express.
While many passengers opt for the bulkhead, emergency exit rows or seats near the lavatories, this cabin crew member wouldn’t follow suit.
They explained: “I don’t like the first row by the wings. People congregate by the toilet, and it can be noisy because of babies in cradles at the bulkhead.”
Despite this, the extra legroom offered by emergency exit seats makes them a popular choice among travellers, although there could be another issue with this seating placement.
If you do decide to sit there, the crew member advises bringing two essential items with you to make it a more comfortable experience.
They warned: “On some older aircraft, it can get quite chilly near the emergency exit rows. I’d usually avoid these seats if you’re sensitive to the cold.”
For those seeking maximum cosiness during their flight, the flight attendant suggests packing a few additional home comforts to keep you snug and warm.
They stated: “There’s nothing stopping you from bringing extra flight socks or even a hot water bottle – we’re more than happy to fill one up for you during the flight.”
They also expressed their preference against sitting at the rear of the plane due to the noise levels. They explained: “The aft [rear] of the plane can be a bit noisy because toilet flushes are quite loud.
“The seats at the back on all our aircraft recline, so that’s not a problem, but sometimes light catches through the galley curtains on a night flight, and it can be noisy as the crew are working. So, I also wouldn’t choose back row seats.”
Two places cabin crew wouldn’t sit
According to the Virgin Atlantic flight attendant, they wouldn’t sit by:
- the first row by the wings; or
- rear of the plane.