perks

There are certain spots that people will want to reserve – and some they should try to avoid

People might only just be jetting off for a bit of sunshine before the schools go back in September, but others may already be planning their next getaway. Knowing a few tips when picking your seat can improve your experience on carriers like Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI if you book accordingly.

It’s no secret that not all seats are made the same – with some specifically having perks like extra legroom. But most do not realise that the position of the seats can make a bigger difference than a few extra inches of wiggle room.

Depending on how you plan to spend the flight, selecting a ‘cheaper’ seat in certain spots could make your flight more enjoyable – and bring perks that money can not often buy. For example, some seats are prime spots for getting on and off the plane more quickly, while others offer great views and first call on snacks.

However, with these seat perks come some seats that customers may wish to avoid if given the option. Some may say that these can make even a short flight feel uncomfortable.

Below, we’ve had a look at some popular seat perks you can expect on Ryanair, EasyJet, Jet2, and TUI planes. For the most part, these money-can’t-buy upgrades are often much more sought after.

Best seats for pictures

If you’re keen to document your trip from start to finish, or simply enjoy an unrivalled view above the clouds, then certain seats will be the best for you. Opting for certain sections in the front or back can give those Instagram-worthy snaps that aren’t just a shot of the metal plane wing.

When booking, pick any of the window seats in rows one to five across all of the named airlines above. These sit well forward of the engines, meaning clear glass and no heat haze will distort the look of your photos.

Best seats for getting on and off the plane

Some of these same rows will benefit from another perk of getting off the plane and starting their holiday not long after the seatbelt sign goes off. Most people caught in the middle of the cabin end up trapped until they can find an opening to leave, whereas these seat holders can usually slip straight out if they have their hand luggage ready and waiting.

There are options for the front and rear of the plane – just check before choosing that your plane has exits that it uses from the rear as some airlines may only open one. These are the rough seat areas to pick if you want to be first in line:

• easyJet: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 29–31 (Airbus A320) / Rows 38–40 (Airbus A321neo) for the back doors.
• Ryanair: Rows 1–3 (front exit) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800) / Rows 33–35 (Boeing 737 MAX 8-200) for the rear stairs.
• Jet2: Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (Boeing 737-800).
• TUI (Short-haul 737): Rows 1–2 (front) or Rows 31–33 (rear).

Being near the front also puts passengers as some of the first in line for meals, snacks and drinks when cabin crew make their rounds. On very short flights, sitting to close to the middle means passengers may risk missing out on refreshments entirely.

Seats you may want to avoid

Picking some of these front seats appears to offer a few perks, along with the extra legroom that often comes at a premium in the front row. But, they aren’t all perfect – and it may pay more to sit a few rows back.

Toilets are often located near the front and back of the plane, so anyone sitting in the first and last rows may face a steady queue and unavoidable smells. Some seats might also end up being windowless.

Due to the configuration of some budget planes, seats are pushed closer together than in the original layout to boost passenger capacity per flight. There are a handful of left-hand seats that are often so misaligned that people end up with a solid wall instead of a view outside.

If you have a slightly longer journey, or just want to recline and unwind as your holiday starts, be aware that some seats don’t offer this option. Aside from every Ryanair seat being locked in place, certain back-row or emergency-exit seats cannot recline either.

• easyJet A320: Avoid reclining in Rows 11 and 12 (ahead of exit Rows 12 and 13).
• Jet2 / TUI / Ryanair 737s: Avoid Rows 15 and 16 (ahead of emergency exit Rows 16 and 17).

Delta Air Lines Inc. Chief Executive Ed Bastian said travelers care more about their seat than extras like lounge access or limousine shuttles often thrown into costly tickets, as he defended a stripped-down premium product that has irked some customers.

“Consumers want different value decisions to take,” Bastian said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Monday. “If you can give people the opportunity to sit in first class, they may not want different elements and they may not need to go in the lounge.”

Delta is bringing the basic-economy playbook to Delta First, Delta Premium Select and Delta One, offering passengers the same onboard seats, meals and service at a lower price in exchange for fewer benefits. Depending on the product, restrictions can include reduced mileage earnings, lower checked-bag allowances, fees for changes or cancellations and limits on lounge access and advance seat selection.

“What consumers care more about than anything is the seat,” Bastian said. “All the other things are nice, but it’s the seat and the comfort of the seat that’s most important.”

Bastian’s comments contrast Delta’s recent investments in its ground amenities. The airline has spent years opening and expanding swanky Sky Clubs and Delta One lounges, which remain in such high demand that crowding and lines have prompted tighter access rules.

Delta last month opened the first phase of a second Delta One Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport, a 4,000-square-foot space with table-service dining, showers and a premium bar. By 2028, Delta plans to operate four lounges at LAX spanning 60,000 square feet and seating more than 1,000 guests, part of a global network that now includes five Delta One Lounges and more than 50 Sky Clubs.

“One of the things we’re disappointed about is the continued segmentation of the fare structure,” Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu said in an interview with Bloomberg Television, referring to how Delta has refined its premium offering into different, sometimes hard-to-follow groups. “You could accidentally get locked out of a lounge if you don’t pick that main business fare.”

Delta last week reported second-quarter earnings that beat Wall Street expectations despite recording the highest quarterly fuel expense in its history. The airline earned an adjusted $1.56 a share, topping analysts’ estimate of $1.51, while revenue rose 14% from a year earlier and capacity increased just 1%. Delta also reaffirmed its full-year profit guidance.

Bastian said strong demand for premium, corporate and international travel helped offset the surge in fuel prices caused by fighting in the Middle East. Although fuel costs eased as the war in Iran appeared to be winding down, renewed US military strikes have raised the risk of another escalation and kept energy markets volatile.

The CEO reiterated that Delta would continue pricing tickets to recover those higher costs and did not expect airfares to decline. The new basic premium fares give the airline another way to appeal to price-conscious travelers without broadly discounting its most valuable seats.

The strategy also allows Delta to widen the pool of passengers who can afford premium cabins while still charging more to corporate travelers and frequent fliers who value flexibility, loyalty benefits and lounge access. It reflects how airlines are increasingly selling each component of the travel experience separately.

But it risks alienating premium and loyalty travelers by introducing complexity or making it seem harder to get the same level of access.

“Delta’s change to its premium-seating offerings suggests competition is weighing on pricing at the front of the cabin, a negative for earnings,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst George Ferguson said.

Taylor and Abramowicz write for Bloomberg.

A cabin crew instructor has revealed where he would choose to sit on the plane

A cabin crew member has shared what he claims is the best seat on the plane. The regular flyer dished out advice for passengers looking to make the most of their journey. Wizz Air Cabin Crew Instructor Gabriel Randone shared his favourite seat. He also revealed the best seat for ‘free perks’ – if you’re lucky enough to get it.

Talking to the Mirror, Gabriel shared his preferred seat as a passenger. He said: “I absolutely love the front. Row one gives you extra legroom. There are some perks to staying there as well.

“For example, you would be the first one to disembark. Sometimes you’ll be the first one to come in as well. You have a reserved overhead compartment for yourself.

“So, yeah, row one is absolutely amazing. But to be honest, when I do travel, and I can choose to book a seat, I will book any window seat.

“I just love staring outside during the flight and enjoying the views.” According to Wizz Air’s website, front-row seats are classified as premium seats.

However, it’s not the only good option. Other premium seats include upfront seats at the front of the aircraft and extra-legroom seats in the emergency exit rows. Usually, passengers need to pay more for these seats, but sometimes they strike it lucky and get asked to move to emergency exit rows.

Gabriel explained that customers sometimes get ‘upgraded’ to these seats and get to enjoy the perks for free when the flight is not fully booked. “Sometimes, because the flights might not be fully booked, there would be no one close to the emergency exits”, Gabriel said.

“So what we need to do is to select someone who we call an ABP, an able-bodied person, and select them and to move them close to the emergency exits so that they can help out in case of an emergency”. He added: “Now, statistically, emergencies are quite rare, so that is basically an upgrade.”

Not everyone is eligible for these unofficial ‘upgrades’. The Wizz Air website explains: “For safety purposes, regulations prohibit passengers under 16 years old, overweight passengers, individuals with special needs, expectant mothers, and those travelling with infants (under 2 years old) from occupying Extra Legroom or Front Row seats.”

As Gabriel explained, these policies are implemented to ensure the safety of everyone onboard. In case of an emergency evacuation, passengers seated in the emergency rows will be instructed to open the doors. Any passengers seated in these rows will be briefed at the beginning of their flight.

Find out more on wizzair.com.