Good site as recommended by Kim Komando a few days ago as her Cool Site of the Day for seeing the lay out of airplanes used by airlines. What is a good seat and what is not. http://www.seatguru.com/

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Tal's suggestion is a good one. To use this site you need to know the type of plane you are flying.

If you are flying coach the prime seats are bulk head and exit rows. If there are two rows of exit seats choose the second row. First row of exit row seats usually do not recline.

Bulk head seats are usually reserved for individuals who have physical problems or flying with an infant. At one time, haven't seen it recently, the airlines had a device that attached to the wall where you placed your baby. If these seats are not taken you can request them when you check in.

Exit rows (since they have more leg room), some airlines are now charging for these seats. If you have elite status you usually have access to these seats with no premium charge.

If you know the configuration of each row, 2,2,2 or 2,3,2 or any other combination, the middle seats are usually the ones that are not as comfortable as an aisle or a window seat is.

HB

[KathieI]

HB, you know what else I just learned from my last flight, the bulkhead seats, are narrower in width than other seats on the plane. This is to accommodate for the food tray that's stashed in the arm of the seat, so that could make your seat width about 1" narrower and for "those of us" who are a little wide in the hip area, this could be a little uncomfortable.

I did a lot of research when I was planning to fly coach to Italy (but decided to move to TV instead) because I wanted to be sure I would be comfortable. I believe, you are also given the leg room dimensions within the specs of the aircraft.

The internet is an incredible device. There is so much to learn if you have time to search it. I think Tal's website probably is quicker than the way I searched for seating preferences. There is also a comment section or recommendation from passengers about certain seats within the plane configuration advising the positives and negatives.

Good information guys, this is an interesting thread. Kath

:yikes: what am I doing up at this hour? Oh yes, I have to continue to pack!! See ya, have a great trip back, HB and David...

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi Kathie,

Not to sure if I noticed they were narrower or not. I do know that some of the trays that are stowed in the arm rest have longer extensions than others.

Wish I remembered which planes they are.

Kathie - get to bed.

It is nearly midnight here.

HB

[Barefoot]

By identifying yourself on check-in (with proper ID of course) as a Firefighter or Medical specialist, the airline will sometimes assign you an exit-row seat with more leg room.

Fireboy and Barefoot

[SteveFromNY]

I've been using seat guru for quite some time now and it is a great resource. On Continental (my usual airline) they list the "type of equipment" on the web site when you look for a flight. It's pretty easy to check even before you get a seat to see if you are in one of the yellow or red seats. I was stuck in the last row of a plane once (before hearing about Seat Guru). The seat didn't recline, and because of the plane tapering some toward the tail, the seats were MUCH smaller than the one in the forward row. Most uncomfortable flight of my life. Had I checked on Seat Guru first, I would have either changed seats or changed planes! I'm not the littlest guy around and didn't need a seatbelt for that flight as I was wedged in the seat so tight I'd never come out by accident!

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Another hint, if you are tall or want more leg room and can not get the bulk head or exit row.

When you are looking at the seating configuration on a plane - that has seating three across and then goes to two across in the back rows, that if you choose the aisle seat on the second set of seats where it goes to 2/3 across you have additional leg room.

Hope this diagram illustrates what I am saying. The / represents your extra leg room.

xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xx xxx xx
xx/ xxx xx

or

xxx xxxxx xxx
xxx xxxxx xxx
xxx xxx xxx
xxx xxx/ xxx

HB