You would be forgiven for thinking that there are no bad seats in business class, unless you’re unlucky enough to get one without a window. The best place to sit, therefore, should be anywhere in the cabin. Right?
Well, no, not really. Frequent flyers know that all seats are not created equal and there are certain ones that provide advantages over others. Let’s have a look and see which ones might be worth selecting on your next flight.
Is The Mini-Cabin The Best Place To Sit?
First class cabins often don’t go all the way from one set of doors to another. That means business class can often be one or two rows in the same section, with the remainder of the cabin behind the galley. This is commonly referred to as the mini-cabin.
- The mini-cabin in row 11 and 12 on a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777-300ER.
Sitting in this section usually makes for a much quieter experience as there are less people passing by. You can see it on the following seat maps – Cathay Pacific, SWISS, British Airways, American Airlines and Japan Airlines – to name but a few.
Front Rows Can Be Better
Many of the seats in business class today are known as reverse herringbone. You sit angled in towards the window, with the space for your feet in lie-flat mode under the seat in front.
- There is more space for your feet in the first row.
This means the area assigned to your legs can feel somewhat constricted when trying to sleep. Those wanting extra room often elect the front row, as the layout there is frequently different and the space is much less restrictive. One to remember!
How About The Throne?
Certain airlines such as Aer Lingus, JetBlue, SWISS and others have alternating seats, meaning some of them turn into actual thrones. These have large flat spaces either side of the seat.
- One of the throne seats on Aer Lingus.
Business people who have to work on a flight will find all the extra space very handy. You can lay out papers, a laptop and more and still have space to spare. These are usually very popular and frequently get selected first, so get in quick.
Perhaps The Back?
Sitting at the rear of a business class cabin can be a good idea as well. Long-haul aircraft often use the second set of doors for boarding, so you turn left into business class and right into economy class.
- Close to the doors means a fast exit on arrival.
The best place to sit for those people who like to get off the plane quickly and get going is as close to the entry as possible. That way you can leave the flight and be first through immigration ahead of the queues.
Overall Thoughts
It turns out that all business class seats aren’t created equal. There are better places to sit than others, and it all depends on what your preference is. Personally, I find any seat that is on its own and has no-one sitting beside me to be a winner.
Arguments could also be made for sitting half way down the cabin, so there is less noise and light from the galleys and toilets. Definitely one to consider if you’re a light sleeper on a long overnight flight.
Where do you think the best place to sit in business class is? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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