A travel expert has revealed the worst seat to book on a plane, and it's not just the middle seat. Ricky Durrance of Teletext Holidays told WalesOnline that the last row should be avoided. "They often have limited or no recline, are closest to the toilets and galley, and can be noisier with more foot traffic," he said.
Why the back of the plane is a bad choice
Booking a seat near the back of the aircraft is also not ideal for nervous flyers. Ricky explained: "The very back of the aircraft is where you'll feel the most movement during turbulence. And you may wait longer to disembark." This could be particularly relevant for those travelling to Europe this summer, with reports of longer queues at border control, so getting off the plane as soon as possible might help reduce waiting time at the airport.
Other seats to avoid
Ricky also advised against booking seats right next to the toilets, as "this is the busiest part of the plane, and you could be disturbed." He also warned about bulkhead rows: "These seats usually offer extra legroom, but they also have fixed armrests, which aren't always comfortable. And hand luggage usually has to be stored in the overhead lockers for take-off and landing."
Exit rows, which offer more legroom, aren't always a good idea either. "The legroom is a huge draw, but these seats are not suitable for anyone with reduced mobility," he shared.
Best seats for nervous flyers
For those who are nervous flyers, Ricky recommended wing seats: "Physics dictates that wing seats are the best choice for nervous flyers, because the wing sits roughly at the aircraft's centre of gravity, so you experience less of the see-saw effect of turbulence." He added that an aisle seat can help you feel less boxed in, though a window seat might help some because seeing the horizon reflects what your body is feeling.
Ricky also suggested: "If you're an especially nervous flyer, it can also be worth booking a seat within sight of the cabin crew jump seat. They can't provide constant reassurance during the flight, but it can feel better knowing that you're close to trained professionals."
