I’m leaving on a jet plane. Actually, I know exactly when I’ll be back again.
On 747, wife and I currently have seats A and B selected (window and adjacent seat). This will be a long flight, and I’m not excited about repeatedly climbing over the stranger who will be seated in the aisle seat next to us.
Currently there are some bulkhead seats (with extra leg room) available for an extra cost. Question: will we be able to have carry-on luggage at our feet if we select these seats, or will it have to reside in the overhead bin for the entire flight?
I don’t want to take these seats if it means I have to get up and extract my backpack from the bins every time I want a different magazine or a sip from my water jug. But if we only have to stash our carry-on overhead during takeoff and landing, that would be fine.
You should check with seatguru.com about bulkhead seats – sometimes they kind of suck. (For example, the seats may be narrower due to having trays stowed in the armrests, and some airlines actually have a little less legroom for bulkhead seats – like this.)
But if you’re already on the plane, maybe seatguru will help in the future!
Yep, saw seatguru, but they had mixed messages. One bulkhead row (53) said no luggage storage at feet, but after the reply from SmartAlecCat, I checked the other bulkhead row (35) and it said no luggage at feet only during takeoffs/landings, so we picked row 35.
I saw the note about slightly narrowed seat width and immovable armrests. That might have given me more pause if the alternative wasn’t being trapped in a window seat by a stranger (our previous seat reservation). We’re of normal height and healthy weight, so we’ll probably be OK; if not, then as you note,we’ll be better next time.
Another thing to be aware of, often the overhead space above bulkhead seats is either non-existent due to the configuration of the cabin, or is already full with safety or media mechanics and/or flight attendant luggage. Plan on boarding as soon as you can to make sure you do get overhead space near your seat. Get to the airport early, don’t hang out in the bar until the last minute, etc.
Just a FYI I booked a bulkhead seat expecting just a little more room, actually you get less as there is no way to get any part of your foot under the seat in front of you.
Carryons for these seats were strictly in the overhead bins, though you could retrieve them in flight.
PP&M had it right the first time. When you travel by jet plane these days, you never know when/if you’ll get where you’re going, let alone when/if you’ll be back again.