Ex-Ryanair Flight Attendant Issues Crucial Seat Selection Advice
A former Ryanair cabin crew member has delivered essential guidance for travellers, pinpointing specific seats to avoid when booking with the budget airline. Eleanor, who served as a flight attendant based in Marseille, France, accumulated extensive experience during her tenure and now shares insider knowledge to help passengers steer clear of problematic seating arrangements.
The Notorious Windowless Seat: 11A
Eleanor, a 25-year-old content creator, emphasised in an interview with the Manchester Evening News that passengers should "avoid 11A" at all costs. This seat, marketed as a window seat on Boeing 737 aircraft, notoriously lacks an actual window, leaving travellers unable to enjoy any outside views during their flight. This flaw has earned 11A the unenviable reputation as "Europe's most hated" plane seat among frequent flyers and aviation insiders alike.
Row 32 on the 737 MAX: An Uncomfortable Experience
Beyond the windowless 11A, Eleanor cautioned against selecting row 32 on the Boeing 737 MAX, an aircraft model operated by Ryanair at select bases. This row features emergency exits at the wings and includes a crew seat facing directly towards passengers. "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," she explained. Having experienced this setup from the crew perspective, Eleanor noted it was "very uncomfortable" and likely equally unpleasant for passengers.
General Ryanair Seating Considerations
Despite these specific warnings, Eleanor stressed that seat selection on Ryanair flights is generally less critical compared to other airlines. This is primarily due to the carrier's short-haul focus and absence of complimentary meal service, eliminating concerns about receiving food first based on seating position. However, she offered additional general advice for travellers seeking optimal comfort.
Rear Seats Pose Disadvantages
Eleanor recommended avoiding the rear of the aircraft for two key reasons. First, passengers seated at the back are typically the last to disembark, particularly at airports using front bridges. More significantly, in the rare event of a controlled emergency water landing (ditching), the rear section enters the water first, and rear doors cannot be opened, potentially reducing survival chances.
Optimal Seating Choices for Comfort and Quiet
For those prioritising comfort and a child-free environment, Eleanor identified specific seats as ideal choices. She highlighted emergency exit rows around row 17 as particularly advantageous for several reasons:
- They provide extra legroom and space
- Children under 16 are prohibited from sitting in emergency exit rows
- Infants under two cannot occupy the two rows immediately before or after emergency exits
Additionally, row 1 offers similar child-free assurance, making these sections the only guaranteed options for avoiding crying babies during flights. Eleanor, now an Italian expatriate residing in New Zealand, shared these insights based on her firsthand experiences documented on her YouTube channel, where she previously chronicled her Ryanair career.
Ultimately, Eleanor's guidance underscores that while Ryanair's seating may not dramatically impact most short journeys, informed choices can significantly enhance passenger comfort and experience, particularly for those seeking specific amenities or avoiding common inconveniences.
