Purchasing Legroom from US to Greece
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Purchasing Legroom from US to Greece
This question may seem a little lame, but I have to ask because I'm concerned about comfort.
My husband is 6'5 and when flying on American Airlines throughout the US and Caribbean, we have always been lucky enough to check in early at the airport to request either the bulkhead or exit rows. I'm not familiar at all with the international airlines, but should we go ahead and purchase those type of seats when making the reservations or take a chance and wait until we check in at the airport to see if they are available. If we wait, does the price go up? The longest haul will be from Houston to either Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.
If you or someone you have traveled with is just as tall, which airline has the most legroom economy seats in your opinion?
Thanks so much!
My husband is 6'5 and when flying on American Airlines throughout the US and Caribbean, we have always been lucky enough to check in early at the airport to request either the bulkhead or exit rows. I'm not familiar at all with the international airlines, but should we go ahead and purchase those type of seats when making the reservations or take a chance and wait until we check in at the airport to see if they are available. If we wait, does the price go up? The longest haul will be from Houston to either Paris, Amsterdam or Frankfurt.
If you or someone you have traveled with is just as tall, which airline has the most legroom economy seats in your opinion?
Thanks so much!
#2
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My wife and I are much shorter than your husband and get "Economy Comfort" seats on Delta when we fly to Europe. Flights arrive early and we want to get all the rest we can on the planes and the slightly larger seat helps with that. We generally don't have too much jet lag so we can keep moving until about mid afternoon, when our room becomes available.
In regard to the price, it all depends on demand for those seats. The prices may go down--Delta sends E-mails if it has excess capacity so you may be able to get them for less if you wait. But I generally don't take a chance, even though I'm short.
In regard to the price, it all depends on demand for those seats. The prices may go down--Delta sends E-mails if it has excess capacity so you may be able to get them for less if you wait. But I generally don't take a chance, even though I'm short.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are not as tall as your husband, but when available on international flights, we always pay for the seats with extra leg room. They are not comfortable, but they are more comfortable than the regular ones…and for a 8-9-10 hours flight, a few more inches make a big difference.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is the only way to go now, in my opinion. There is no way we can afford first class so this is how we will go from now on. We generally only fly on Delta so that is my only experience. All seats are available to anyone and are priced as such so I wouldn't wait and hope that they will be available when you check in, we had to change our flights this year still two months before our trip and there were only a handful of the extra leg-room seats left.
#5
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The extra leg room seats always go early. Reserve seats as soon as you are ticketed.
As far as economy IMHO all of the regular airline has the same hideously uncomfortable seats. DH (6'3") and I always use miles to upgrade to business - the only thing bearable IMHO.
As far as economy IMHO all of the regular airline has the same hideously uncomfortable seats. DH (6'3") and I always use miles to upgrade to business - the only thing bearable IMHO.
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just booked tickets for a flight that includes a Seattle to Amsterdam leg on Delta. The cost to upgrade to Economy comfort as $139 for that specific leg. The odds of you getting a free upgrade are pretty slim, though, unless you are a Medallion with Delta. These perks go to the frequent flyers first, and most of these long-haul flights are full or nearly full, so if you want these seats, best to pay for them up front. Me, I'm only 6', so I can generally manage pretty well, especially on the Airbus A330-300 planes in the side sides.
#8
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My biggest gripe is when the passenger in front of me reclines his/her seat all the way back as soon as the plane reaches cruising altitude. If you can gain a few extra inches of seat pitch by paying extra, it may well be worth it for a long transatlantic flight. You might be interested in this website: http://www.seatguru.com/charts/longhaul_economy.php
#11
No worries, Heimdall, but I agree with you that there is only one sure way to eliminate the possibility of someone reclining their seat and that is not to sit in any "economy" seat which isn't always feasible.
But in fairness when someone books a seat which reclines they expect to be able to recline it.
But in fairness when someone books a seat which reclines they expect to be able to recline it.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seat pitch is not everything. Another area of comfort not often mentioned is the angle of the seat recline. If you want to get some sleep on a long flight one needs the seat to recline at least enough that your head stays back as you drift off to slumberland.
On our last flight to Europe we flew on Airbus 330 equipment with Delta/Air France flights. My problem was the design of the new seats do not recline quite enough -- probably due to Heimdall griping. What happens is that as one relaxes and tries to nap ones head falls forward with a snap; waking you up. A quarter of an inch more recline would fix the problem and possibly not anger the person behind you.
On our last flight to Europe we flew on Airbus 330 equipment with Delta/Air France flights. My problem was the design of the new seats do not recline quite enough -- probably due to Heimdall griping. What happens is that as one relaxes and tries to nap ones head falls forward with a snap; waking you up. A quarter of an inch more recline would fix the problem and possibly not anger the person behind you.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nukesafe, I trust you aren't one of those people who keep the seat reclined even while meals are being served. I don't mind the seat in front of me being reclined during overnight flights, because I will probably do the same, albeit not all the way back. ;-)
#16
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Of course not, Heimdall. Common courtesy applies. I hope you are not one of those who is so feeble they must grasp the top of the seat in front of them to leaver themselves out of their seats, thus shaking the person ahead of them out of a sound slumber.
#18
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<i>I hope you are not one of those who is so feeble they must grasp the top of the seat in front of them to leaver themselves out of their seats, thus shaking the person ahead of them out of a sound slumber.</i>
Yes, that sounds like me, but only when the seat is all the way back!
Yes, that sounds like me, but only when the seat is all the way back!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RandyK
United States
9
Aug 25th, 2007 06:32 PM