Last row on an airplane

[jenineh]

Has anyone ever had to sit in the last row on an airplane? Is it as bad as I think it will be?

 

[ebradley23]

Yes, yes it is. I can smell the toilet chemicals the whole time. You also feel more movement, so it tends to give me motion sickness. I would prefer a middle seat up from over the back row.

 

[BigAlsGal]

It seemed like I always got the back row. It's not fun being by the toilet but it doesn't bother me really being back there. If it were for a long flight I would definitely make sure I paid to choose my seats. Not sure if I would feel the same during a long flight.

 

[mkarizona]

It depends on what kind of airplane it is. When I fly Southwest I don't mind the last row at all. Last fall when we flew Air Tran we were offered the last row to sit together and it turned out there were no windows on the last row of that plane. I would not choose to sit in the last row without windows again.

 

[letsgoreds]

Totally depends on the plane. Delta holds the last 2 rows to handle problems (parents split from kids, etc.). Once we were 4 people given the entire last row (6 seats), and it was awesome. On some flights the bathrooms are so close to the seats, in others, there is some space and it isn't a big deal at all. Easier when you have kids to make a quick pit stop.

 

[bumbershoot]

I've never minded the last row except for when the person in front of you leans their seat back all the way.

But I'm short and don't find it comfortable to put my seat back so I don't need that. Once I'm on a plane the only thing I can smell is weird airplane food, so I've never noticed anything from the bathrooms. I like being near the bathrooms unless there's a line that goes halfway down the plane and I'd have to backtrack to get in line, LOL. I have a tendency to get into silly conversations with flight attendants (most recently caused by my funky nail polishes b/c I get manicures right before flights for rundisney races) back near the bathrooms, and if family is close-by they know where I am.

So I don't personally mind it back there.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've been on the back row before. While it's not a seat I would select on my own (limited recline & you have to wait for everyone to get off before you do), I don't have a problem sitting there.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Nah, it's not bad. Sat in the back seat a few times as a non-rev (non-paying flyer). Didn't notice any bathroom smells, nor did I think the plane flew any less smooth. I know you're the last one off the plane. However you still made it. Wouldn't do it if you had a tight connection. But for your destination (or even a four hour layover), I'd go for it.

 

[Deb T.]

My niece has triplet boys and a girl, born 18 months apart. They fly frequently, and she always chooses the last rows in an airplane. She says it's a great spot for their family because of being so close to the lavatories and also because the kids can move around in the aisle without bothering a lot of people - gives the kids a little "wiggle room".

 

[antree]

We sat in the last row a feww time on SW, never any problems. I didn't feel a difference at all.

 

[jenineh]

Thanks for all your replies. I'll just deal and hope it's no biggie

 

[shepd]

If it's any consolation, the back seats on an airplane are statistically the safest seats (40% safer than the front, if you like numbers).

 

[Ranger111]

As said, the last rows are usually held by the airlines for "special cases."

I have ALWAYS received the backrow when I buy a "bid for it" ticket on Priceline, although, I usually can end up changing my seat online.

No smell issues. However, my biggest issue is the inconsiderates who "line-up" for the lavatory.

If you are not in the aisle seat, it won't affect you, but if you have the aisle, you can count on being smacked, knocked, nudged and having a number of "butts" shoved into pretty much any and all portions of your exposed self (note to self, keep face averted toward the window )

 

[jenineh]

Oh wow. Well I will have an aisle seat and so will my husband. My kids will be on my side middle and window seat. Thanks for the butt warnings.

 

[Jimsig]

Check out Seat Guru

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

I've been on the back row before. While it's not a seat I would select on my own (limited recline & you have to wait for everyone to get off before you do), I don't have a problem sitting there.

This is the down side, but I'd rather be there then working. It's only a few hours, read, take an ipad, before you know you'll be in our happy place.

 

[Firepath]

As said, the last rows are usually held by the airlines for "special cases."

I have ALWAYS received the backrow when I buy a "bid for it" ticket on Priceline, although, I usually can end up changing my seat online.

No smell issues. However, my biggest issue is the inconsiderates who "line-up" for the lavatory.

If you are not in the aisle seat, it won't affect you, but if you have the aisle, you can count on being smacked, knocked, nudged and having a number of "butts" shoved into pretty much any and all portions of your exposed self (note to self, keep face averted toward the window )

Yes! I had the same experience. Cross country flight, last row aisle seat. Not fun when everyone lines up to use the facilities!

 

[keishashadow]

Have only gotten stuck back there a few times in order to sit together with family members...it is dark and busy w/line for bathroom but what bothers me most is the vibration/noise which seems to be much louder.

 

[mcraige]

If you are on a MD80 or a DC9, the engines are mounted right outside the fuselage so you near more engine noise.

 

[AustinNYC]

There are a few variables in saying if sitting in the last row is good/bad (or even possible).

First, in terms of physics of flight, the tail area is far from the central axis of the aircraft and if you are sensitive to motion you may notice an increase in yaw-ing (side-to-side) movement the further aft of the wing box you move.

Secondly, it depends on if the aircraft has wing mounted or tail mounted engines. If tail mounted, expect a much louder experience near the back of the aircraft.

Third, airline interior configuration. Airline X may configure their interior differently than Airline Y, taking it a step further... different configurations may exist in one airline in a different series of the same aircraft (ex: Boeing 737-700 vs Boeing 737-900 series) as well as age of the aircraft (ex: older version vs newer). What this means is, some aircraft the last row may not recline, the overhead storage may be limited due to placement of emergency equipment and flight crew baggage. The lavatory may or may not be close behind you.

Fourth, the airline may block out the last row for flight attendant purposes.

Like Jim mentioned earlier in the thread. seatguru.com is fantastic for helping to decide what seat is best.