Airfare and Comfortable Seats

wckc · Guru

Airfare and Comfortable Seats

Michele Erdvig · Host

I can't claim to be an expert on leg room since - as my neighbor says - I am "vertically challenged" (short)! However, there are some airlines that you can purchase extra leg room on. Also the bulkhead and exit row seats tend to have more room. But with bulkhead you will have no room to put anything under a seat.

Try this website: http://www.seatguru.com/

I tend to fly either Delta or United to Ireland although it has been a couple of years since I was on Delta. I thought United had more comfortable seating.

I always try for an aisle seat as I hate being trapped by the window and you can always expand slightly into the aisle when the food service is over.

wckc · Guru

Thanks. United is where I was looking earlier too. I saw that they offer better seating for an additional charge, but it looks like I have to go further through the purchase process before I can see what the extra charge is...

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Economy Comfort on Delta runs about $90 each way, if memory serves. Bulkhead seats, in addition to lacking under seat storage, are also narrower, since the tray table stows into the arm rest.

Delta also offers Preferred Seating, for about 1/2 the price of Economy Comfort -- no extra legroom, or decline, but they are deemed 'Better' by virtue of being Isle and/or Exit row (which DOES offer some leg room improvement).

Neither my wife, nor I are particularly subject to vertical excess, so I always look most critically at the plane TYPE, as I would MUCH rather be squeezed into seats in a TWO seat row, rather than a three seat row, where I have a "New, Best Friend" for my 6-8 hour flight! Typically, a 767, or an A330 trump a 757-- any day!

Bob

Michele Erdvig · Host

Frequent flyer miles can often buy you the upgraded seats too.

yesiree · Guru

United's Economy Plus seats start at $95 and go to about $130... the price depends on window, aisle, middle... and when you book, so book early for best price... and you do the upgrade when you do seat selection which occurs after you choose a flight, but before you enter credit card details.

I flew US Airways in Oct. The plane and entertainment system was old and outdated, but the standard seats had a bit more room than the regular United seat.

I check www.seatguru.com when picking a seat... it'll warn you of seats that don't recline all the way or don't line up with a window.

Roy · Guru

I usually fly Aer Lingus Dulles (JetBlue) to Shannon via Boston. I'm concerned as I see Aer Lingus plans on leasing Boeing 757's to fly into Shannon instead of the usual Airbus 300. My wife enjoy the 2-4-2 seating configuration with 2 seats together with no neighbor. The 757 has a 3-3 configuration. grrrrr. Actually considering Dublin...

larissa · Veteran Member

We flew to Dublin via Aer Lingus in May, and it was HORRIBLE! We got out seats at a really cheap 750.00 each round trip, but had I known about how terrible the seats would be, even sitting in the isle, I would have gladly paid 1000.00 a ticket to get a better seat with another carrier. Thanks for the suggestions!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

Some Info: http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/17212559/worst-economy-seats-in-the-air/?source=45568&value=2014-01-05+00%3A00%3A00&u=SL3640D064&nltv=&nl_cs=17238009%3A%3A%3A%3A17212559%3A%3A

Bob

Roy · Guru

I have flown American, Delta, and mostly Aer Lingus to Ireland. I much prefer the Airbus 330 to the Boeing 757. With Aer Lingus leasing 757's to fly out of Boston this summer, it forces me to reconsider my travel itinerary.

larissa · Veteran Member

Thanks BOB!!!

wckc · Guru

Great info Bob, Thanks!

Itallian Chauffeur · Moderator

And -- a BIT More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/08/delta-new-seats_n_4563846.html cry cry cry

Bob

Roy · Guru

This is what is posted on Shannon bound flights out of Boston and JFK: Operated By Air Contractors for Aer Lingus Boeing 757

almoon · Member

We are booked on a 757 out of Boston in March. My husband is 6' so most seats in economy are uncomfortable for him. What I dislike the most is the 3/3 seat configuration.

Roy · Guru

I don't like the 3 + 3 seating configuration either, especially when there are two of us. It might be enough to sawy me to Dublin instead of Shannon.

Geno · Guru

We are on Aer Lingus into Dublin this March flying on a 2-4-2 configuration. There are six of us, so it will be four across, and two behind that group, I will report how the seat room was! Hope it is something good. smile Been years since I have been on Aer Lingus, but the previous flights were good.

markan · Senior Member

I just booked Aer Lingus flights for late April - Boston to Shannon. Selected seats and the plane is 3 x 3. In this case not a terrible thing since luckily there are three of us. But normally I would hate that configuration.

Roy · Guru

markan wrote:
I just booked Aer Lingus flights for late April - Boston to Shannon. Selected seats and the plane is 3 x 3. In this case not a terrible thing since luckily there are three of us. But normally I would hate that configuration.

Yes, works well when three are flying together

tony2phones · Guru

How long is the flight? I am a regular Ryanair 727 jockey so well accustomed to the 3+3 configuration probably with a little less space. I suppose it depends who you get in the 3rd seat...

Roy · Guru

it's about 6 1/2 hours. I keep telling my wife I'd be okay sitting next to a young, tall, thin Irish woman, but she doesn't seem too amused.

tony2phones · Guru

Have to find her a seat next to a bit of Beefcake.. have to admit that with a Cheese allergy I was less than happy on the 4 hour flight coming back from Malta with the Pisa and Cheeseburger menu stinking the flight out and the 1 hour late Friday flights SNN - LPL or MAN with Soccer fans and pre wedding groups filling every available seat.

EngagingIreland_Kathy · Member

My hubby is 6'3" (I'm 5'8"), but we will not fly Aer Lingus anymore. We flew with them for some of our Ireland trips up to about 10 years ago when they started changing the seating configuration to cram more people into Coach. Now, there's no way!

We almost always fly Delta and upgrade to Economy Comfort. There are only the two of us, but we tend to each fly in an aisle seat directly across the aisle from each other. That way neither of us has to sit in the middle.

I guess United is a second option; however, I just dislike flying United because their flights always seem to suffer significant delays. I have flown them on occasion for business, and I always (every time) miss my connections, even if I leave 2 1/2 hours between the flights. Not very impressive in my book! (But the United staff were always nice to me. I suppose that counts for something.) It's just a personal choice. Many people I know really dislike Delta for one reason or another.

I've never flown US Air to Ireland, but, since they're merging with American Airlines, I doubt I ever will! Again...personal choice.