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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
aniljak
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
John Phelan
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 28 Oct 2011
Total posts 262
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.
John Phelan
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
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.
brettepi
brettepi
Member since 10 Jul 2017
Total posts 86
if you face backwards you get there slower
xtfer
xtfer
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 14 Mar 2017
Total posts 159
Wouldn't you get there sooner?
elchriss0
elchriss0
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 13 Jan 2015
Total posts 80
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
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
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!).