seats

Former Ryanair cabin crew member Eleanor has shared which seats to avoid when booking with the budget airline, while also revealing the best row to be in, especially if you want a quieter tirp

A former Ryanair cabin crew member has issued a warning to travellers about two seats they should swerve when making their bookings. Eleanor, who was stationed in Marseille, France, clocked up significant flight hours with the no-frills carrier and has pinpointed the seats that could seriously dampen your journey.

The 25-year-old content creator revealed to the Manchester Evening News: “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.”

Eleanor isn’t the first member of cabin crew to sound the alarm about the infamous 11A seat, previously dubbed “Europe’s most hated”. It’s widely recognised as the sole ‘A’ seat on a Boeing 737 that’s missing an actual window.

But Eleanor didn’t stop there. Having previously documented the highs and lows of working for Ryanair on her YouTube channel, she went on to share additional guidance on seating choices.

Following her 11A caution, she added: “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.”

However, she stressed that on the whole, seat selection on Ryanair isn’t terribly crucial. This is largely down to the fact that flights tend to be relatively brief and there’s no complimentary meal service on offer, meaning your seating position won’t guarantee you’ll receive your food first, as it might with other carriers.

Eleanor suggested it ultimately boils down to individual preference, noting: “Another thing I can say is to avoid sitting at the rear of the aircraft, most 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.”

For those keen to be more selective during booking, Eleanor, an Italian now based in New Zealand, reckons certain seats provide optimal comfort and are even guaranteed to be child-free zones.

She disclosed: “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.”

LNER has revealed its new fleet of trains in first-look images – and they’ve got perks for every customer.

The upgraded carriages will have water refill stations throughout the trains and in First Class even mood lighting and reclining seats.

LNER, which operates trains across the East Coast Main Line, has revealed what its new fleet of Class 897 trains will look like.

The latest upgrades include “improved seating” across all classes with enhanced seat pads, side bolsters and wider head cushions .

One huge perk for all customers, especially those on a long journey, is that they’ll will be able to stay hydrated for free, thanks to the introduction of five water bottle refill stations throughout the train.

Travellers won’t have to pop to the cafe to buy a bottle of water – instead, just top up as you go.

GO SEA IT

£9.50 holiday spot with shipwrecks, seals offshore & horseshoe-shaped waterfalls

SIGHT SEA

£9.50 holidaymakers’ favourite Skegness activities… away from the beach

The only other train line that offers complimentary water with refill stations is Avanti West Coast on its Pendolino and Evero trains.

Also onboard the new LNER trains will be new digital screens in each carriage so customers can keep an eye on their journey and the upcoming stops.

Each seat will have its own plug socket and USB-C ports too for phone charging.

For Standard Class customers, there will be a new and improved Café Bar.

Here, you can pick up snacks and drinks and can see what’s available in real-time on digital menu screens.

Those sitting in First Class can fully relax in seats that actually recline.

There will also be softer lighting, including mood and table lighting in First Class – so the lights won’t be too bright for those travelling during early mornings and evenings.

Other changes include the redesign of bike storage areas and toilets.

For wheelchair users, tables have been redesigned to make more room with seat legs moved and additional space created for assistance dogs.

The 10-carriage trains called ‘Serenza’, will each have a total of 569 seats across Standard and First Class, alongside wheelchair spaces.

No date for introduction of the Class 897s has been announced yet.

But the new fleet is set to replace LNER’s InterCity 225 fleet, which focuses on services between London King’s Cross and destinations like Leeds, York, Bradford Forster Square, and Skipton.

For more on rail upgrades, UK’s busiest train station faces ‘decade of chaos’ ahead of multi-million pound renovation.

And here’s the UK’s ‘best rural train station’ – next to the seaside-themed town that is MILES from the coast.