The popular airports where sitting at the BACK of the plane means you’ll get off quicker
THERE are a lot of different opinions on where the best seats are on planes.
However, it could be the case that the best seat varies for different flights.
Travel expert Gilbert Ott has explained why sometimes the back of the aircraft is one of the better places to sit.
In an article for flight website God Save the Points, he said that on flights to places with smaller airports, it can be beneficial to sit closer to the back.
Gilbert revealed that this was because it could lead to them getting off the plane much quicker than they would if they were sitting at the back when arriving at bigger airports.
He said: “Some airports, particularly smaller airports in vacation destinations — think Greece, or the Caribbean — board and deplane using steps.
“To help speed up the process, steps are attached both to the forward door of the plane and the rear.
“If I know I’m headed for a destination with steps attached forward and aft and I’m flying economy, I’ll typically select the last, or second to last row of the plane. Business class may still get the first opportunity to deplane, but I’m always among the first off in economy.”
Gilbert recommends passengers research airport deplaning protocol at the airport they are heading to in order to decide whether or not they’re better off sitting at the back of the plane.
He said that looking up pictures of people getting off the planes at those airports can also help people choose where to sit.
As well as the chance to slip off the plane earlier, there are also other perks to sitting at the back of the aircraft.
Passengers are more likely to get free things and additional items such as pillows and food, according to cabin crew.
Flight attendant Annie Kingston revealed that back seat passengers are likely to receive VIP treatment – purely due to their location on the aircraft.
Why? It’s similar to giving one child an ice cream in full view of their friends – give one person a treat, and everyone wants one.
The passengers at the back of the plane are seen by fewer travellers, so if they get slipped an extra drink or a set of toiletries, it’s more likely to go unnoticed.
On a blog post for Oyster.com, she said: “We like to avoid responding to call bells from the front of the plane because answering one means potentially flaunting whatever item the passenger has requested to everyone else along the way.
“This can cause a problem since planes often don’t have enough extra vodka, pillows, earplugs, and toothbrushes, or the time on shorter flights to deviate from the service schedule.
“For passengers sitting near the back of the plane, however, it’s much easier to slip in that second mini bottle of wine.”
Plane etiquette
IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules...
RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn’t recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
He said: “Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half.”
Before you recline your seat, it’s best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.
If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back.
FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun: “Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for.
“Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else.
“If you do insist on stretching out, please make sure your feet are covered up.”
CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren’t welcome, suggesting that others shouldn’t expect a chat.
She added: “I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time.”
It can sometimes also be beneficial to sit near the front of the aircraft.
This is the best seat to book if you want extra legroom – but it comes with a risk.