A former Ryanair flight attendant has advised passengers to steer clear of two specific seats when booking flights. Eleanor, who worked as a cabin crew member for the budget airline based in Marseille, France, shared her insights on the seats that could make or break a journey.
Eleanor, now a 25-year-old content creator, told 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.” The seat 11A on Boeing 737 aircraft is notorious for lacking a window, a feature that has earned it the title of “Europe’s most hated”. She also warned against row 32 on the Boeing 737 MAX, which has emergency exits at the wings and a crew seat facing passengers, making for an uncomfortable experience during take-off and landing.
However, Eleanor emphasised that seat choice on Ryanair is generally not crucial due to short flight durations and the absence of free meal service. She added that sitting at the rear of the aircraft could lead to slower disembarkation if a front bridge is used, and noted safety concerns in the event of a water landing, as the rear enters the water first and rear doors may not be openable.
For those who wish to be selective, Eleanor recommended emergency exit rows in the middle of the aircraft, around row 17, for extra legroom and the guarantee of no young children nearby. Passengers under 16 are not allowed in emergency exit rows, and infants under two cannot be seated in the two rows before or after, making these seats ideal for a quieter flight.
