Former Ryanair Attendant's Exclusive Seating Guide for Passengers
A former Ryanair cabin crew member has exclusively revealed her top recommendations for securing the best seats on the budget airline, focusing on rows that offer greater legroom and a quieter journey while highlighting specific seats to avoid.
Optimal Rows for Space and Tranquility
Eleanor, who was based in Marseille and logged extensive flying hours with Ryanair, advises passengers to target row 17 and row 1 for optimal comfort. She explains that these rows, particularly around the emergency exits in the middle of the aircraft, provide more space due to safety regulations.
"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," Eleanor stated. "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."
Seats to Steer Clear Of
While row 17 is highlighted for tranquility, Eleanor warns passengers about specific seats that could detract from the travel experience. She strongly advises avoiding seat 11A, notorious for being a window seat without an actual window, previously labelled "Europe's most hated" on certain aircraft models.
Additionally, she recommends steering clear of row 32 on the Boeing 737 MAX, an aircraft used by Ryanair in some bases. This row features emergency exits at the wings and a crew seat facing passengers, leading to potential discomfort.
"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," Eleanor elaborated. "It was very uncomfortable as a flight attendant, I imagine it is as a passenger also."
General Seating Considerations
Eleanor emphasises that seat selection on Ryanair isn't absolutely critical for short flights, as there's no complimentary meal service affecting service order. However, she provides further guidance based on safety and convenience.
She suggests avoiding the rear of the aircraft for two key reasons:
- Passengers at the back may be the last to disembark when using front bridges at some airports.
- In the rare event of a controlled emergency landing on water (ditching), the rear section enters the water first, and doors at the back cannot be opened, potentially reducing survival chances.
Ultimately, Eleanor notes that seat preference is individual but hopes her insights help travellers make informed choices for a more comfortable journey with the budget carrier.
