Former Ryanair flight attendant Eleanor has shared her top seating recommendations for passengers, including the best rows for extra space and which seats to avoid on your next flight
Ryanair passengers have been urged to book two specific rows (stock) (Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
When reserving a flight with Ryanair, many of us will steer clear of selecting our own seat, primarily due to the extra charge. However, a former cabin crew member with the budget carrier has identified the best row to reserve if you’re seeking optimal space and comfort for a specific journey.
Eleanor was based in Marseille, France, and logged countless hours traversing the globe alongside her cabin crew colleagues. She has now highlighted the seats that could enhance your trip considerably.
Speaking to us about her top travel tips, she explained: “I would say usually it’s better to sit at the emergency exits in the middle of the aircraft, usually around row 17 for safety reasons.
“You have more space and also because children under 16 can’t sit at the emergency exits and infants under two can’t even be in the two rows before and ahead of the emergency exits. So these and row 1 are basically the only seats where you can be sure you won’t be spending your flight with crying babies next to you.”
Nevertheless, while row 17 might be the most tranquil, according to Eleanor, there are particular seats passengers may also want to steer clear of.
The content creator, 25, revealed to us: “I can only say to avoid 11A. That’s supposed to be a window seat – but it doesn’t have a window! You won’t be able to see outside.”
This seat has previously been labelled “Europe’s most hated” because it’s notorious for being the sole ‘A’ seat on a Boeing 747 that lacks a window to peer through. And having urged travellers to reserve row 17, she also pointed out the row that might be worth avoiding.
She elaborated: “Also avoid row 32 on the 737 MAX, an aircraft that Ryanair has only in some bases. That has emergency exits at the wings, and a crew seat near them that faces the passengers.
“So, if you sit in that row, you’ll have the flight attendant stare at you during take off and landing, and you’ll have to move every time they have to pass. It was very uncomfortable as a flight attendant, I imagine it is as a passenger also.”
She emphasised that securing your seat on Ryanair wasn’t absolutely critical, especially since flights are generally brief and there’s no complimentary meal service, which means your location won’t determine whether you’re served first or last, as it might on other carriers.
The Italian ex-Ryanair employee said it ultimately boiled down to individual preference but she did provide one final recommendation.
She stated: “Another thing I can say is to avoid sitting at the rear of the aircraft, mostly because sometimes, although not often with Ryanair, only in some airports, you will have a bridge from the front and you’ll be the last one to disembark if you’re sitting at the back.
“And also because in case of ditching (controlled emergency landing onto water), that’s the first part that goes in the water, and you won’t be able to open the doors at the back, so you’re less likely to make it in case of a landing in water.”