Not facing forward on takeoff?

16 replies

aniljak

Member since 15 Sep 2012

Total posts 99

Would love to know what people think of seats not facing directly forward, especially on take off? Many airlines now have herringbone or rear facing seats. Have never travelled in one but idea of facing sidewards on takeoff doesn't sound appealing!

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

I enjoyed sitting backwards on Etihad's Boeing 787s - was quite an unusual sight looking at the engine on take-off and landing, but once the aircraft is in the sky, you pretty much forget about it and it becomes like any other flight.

tuzza1

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Aug 2012

Total posts 94

I rather enjoy backward facing seats. The only ones I dont like are on BA where you have to stare at the person squeezed in along side of you. Facing rear [or sideways] is different but in no way bad.

rob1984

Member since 23 May 2011

Total posts 33

I have only faced backwards on an EY A380 in their First Suites, was an interesting experience as you expect take off to feel a certain way. once airborne you don't notice any difference.

Dredgy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Apr 2017

Total posts 182

Makes no real difference to me, except on BA when you have to look your neighbour directly in the eyes and try not to fall in love with them.

pab2025

Member since 25 Jun 2012

Total posts 133

I specifically choose the rear facing seats on American's 772s as they offer more privacy generally in the windows. You actually can hardly tell any difference - not something to even think twice about.

Red Cee

Member since 15 Feb 2018

Total posts 151

Couldn’t think of anything worse. I like to face the direction I am traveling.

John Phelan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 262

Makes no real difference to me, except on BA when you have to look your neighbour directly in the eyes and try not to fall in love with them.


If you are looking at your neighbour "directly in the eyes" on BA, then you are cross-eyed and should seek help! To look directly at them you need to either angle your head - or your eyes - to 45 degrees. Don't people normally look straight ahead, or out the window when taking off and landing? I certainly do.

Last editedby John Phelan at Jun 05, 2018, 07:47 PM.

John Phelan

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 28 Oct 2011

Total posts 262

I have no problem with rear-facing seats. In fact in some ways, I really like them. The herringbone/sideways angle seats I find a little less appealing, but just look out the window and it matters little.

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

Facing backwards just reverses the take-off and landing experience, so the acceleration is away from the seat on take-off and toward the seat on landing. Once you are at cruise it only changes any attempt to watch the scenery go by, which I don’t see meny people doing in premium classes. I suspect the most common backwards experience in this group would be BA J, which every one agrees is too crowded, which is enabled by the reversed seats, not caused by it.

Last editedby GregXL at Jun 06, 2018, 08:28 AM.

brettepi

Member since 10 Jul 2017

Total posts 86

if you face backwards you get there slower

xtfer

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 14 Mar 2017

Total posts 159

if you face backwards you get there slower

Wouldn't you get there sooner?

elchriss0

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 13 Jan 2015

Total posts 80

I have no problem with rear-facing seats. In fact in some ways, I really like them. The herringbone/sideways angle seats I find a little less appealing, but just look out the window and it matters little.

Ordinary herringbone doesn't allow you to look out the window without turning to look over you shoulder so you effectively can't use the window

NBShone

Qantas

Member since 02 Sep 2015

Total posts 18

No problem here. Slightly different feeling on take off but nothing to cause issues and once in the air, you can't tell the difference. The only ting that was a bit weird was watching the plane cameras on the IFE which show you moving in a different direction than what you see out of the window when taxiing.

declanr

Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards

Member since 26 Nov 2017

Total posts 17

Makes no difference IMO once up in the air. Just as long as you are not staring straight at another passenger (unless there is a connection!).

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