A former Ryanair cabin crew member has advised travellers to steer clear of two particular seats when making flight reservations. Eleanor, who operated from Marseille, France, accumulated extensive flying hours with the low-cost carrier and understands which seats can significantly impact the experience.
The content creator, 25, told the Irish Mirror: “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 airline staff member to highlight the infamous 11A seat that was previously labelled “Europe’s most hated”. It is widely recognised as the sole ‘A’ seat on a Boeing 737 lacking an actual window.
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However, Eleanor, who has documented the advantages and disadvantages of working for Ryanair on her YouTube channel, didn’t stop there and offered additional guidance on optimal seating positions.
Following her 11A caution, she went on: “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.”
Nevertheless, she stressed that broadly speaking, selecting seats on Ryanair wasn’t especially crucial. This is because journeys are typically brief and there’s no complimentary meal provision, so your seating position won’t guarantee receiving your food first for instance, unlike other carriers.
Eleanor explained it simply boiled down to individual preference, and consequently, she noted: “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.”
Should you wish to be selective when reserving, Eleanor, who hails from Italy and currently resides in New Zealand, reckons particular seats provide the greatest comfort, and are even assured to be distanced from young youngsters.
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.”
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