Mirror.co.uk, the online edition of the British Mirror, recently published an article entitled Why you should always pick the ‘worst’ seat on the plane for a long flight. The writer Courtney Pochin quoted John Burffit, the Australian frequent flyer who always opts for the ‘worst’ seats on the plane when he travels, but also referred to one of Pipeaway’s most read articles of all times Selecting a plane seat: 5 reasons why last row should be first choice.
Why would anyone want to sit in front of the toilets?
“If you’ve ever been on a plane, you’ll know just how uncomfortable it can be to travel. And one of the worst things that can happen during your flight is being kicked in the back – especially if it happens right as you were about to drift off to sleep”, the author wrote.
But then she quoted Escape.com.au, the Australian website dedicated to great holiday stories, travel trends, news and advice. The freelance journalist John Burffit defended the controversial choice! He always picks the window seat at the very back of the plane, just right in front of the toilets.
“As I felt her foot in the middle of my back as she kicked my seat for possibly the 200th time, I made a vow this would never happen to me again”, John described his nightmare plane episode. On the same flight, he discovered the meaning of true airline love. John noticed that passengers and passing trolleys could not kick or bump into the last row window seat. From then on, he was happy even to pay extra for the back-row-of-cabin-in-the-corner-seat. Sometimes he also adapts his travel dates, just to be able to secure it!
A growing number of airlines charge for preferred seating. Is it worth paying for extra legroom seats?
The airline conspiracy
The Mirror concludes its story with the arguments from our viral article. “According to pipeaway.com, selecting the back seats may mean you get an entire row to yourself, as not many people choose to sit at the rear of the plane. This would mean you could spread yourself out over two or three seats at your leisure. They add that the last row is also great for those who don’t want to sit too close to children, as families are often placed in bulkhead seats.”
This was clearly written by an airline company trying to sell unwanted seatsthe conspiracy theory believer
While hundreds of social media users shared Mirror’s article, it also attracted quite a few negative feedbacks. Some readers objected on the idea that sitting in the back row seats which supposedly do not recline would be favorable. They were also critical about the slamming of the bathroom doors and passengers queuing for the toilet. One even wrote about “the people who don’t quite make it to the toilet in time and have an accident right next to you”. Another commentator defended the conspiracy theory saying this was “clearly written by an airline company trying to sell unwanted seats”.
Well, whether you agree or not with our five reasons why last row should be first choice, that’s all fine! For all of us who have calculated the pro’s and con’s of the back row seats, great news! The less wanted they are, the more available they will be to all of us who will choose them!
Cover image – free vector graphics by Vecteezy.com
Interesting idea. I’m not sure I’d be able to sleep since they fon’t recline but I do bet they are less crowded.
Thanks, Audrey! By the way, not reclining of the back seats is not a rule! One always need to check the specifics of the exact aircraft one’s flying with, if reclining is a crucial element!
This is a theory I’ll have to try out sometime. Personally, I like to sit near the front. This could be an interesting experiment.
Thanks for your comment, Gearoid!
I’m happy we can still choose seats, whichever seat one prefers!
Also, if everyone would be choosing the back seats, be sure they would cost more, like those exit seats.
It’s a simple law of supply and demand.
And I am happy the safest seats do not cost more than others! 😉