While returning from Sicily last week, there was an altercation between several passengers trying to get the two window seats on the last row of a Ryanair 737.

As they were among the first passengers on the plane, I was surprised they hadn't gone for the over wing seats near the exits - what is so special about the seats they wanted ?

Don't let everybody know that there is more room in the seats near the wing!!!! Every buggar will be attempting to get there before me now....aghhhhhh

Regarding the window seats at the back, I don't know. I don't like those seats as it always seems bumpier there.

Hi W,

It could be that they had heard that in case of a crash the tail of the plane is safer than the front.

Did this plane allow you to board and disembark from both the back and the front? If so, sitting in the back row is very desirable.

You might want to post your question in the Airline forum as well as here.

I have heard of this on other airlines and I have been informed that some passangers feel hemmed in when the refreshment trolleys are on the aisles so they look for a back seat or else one at the front.

Whwn we were on Ryanair they let you go out either the front door or the back door. They probably just wanted to get off quick.

They probably had air rage induced by making the effort to get to check-in over two hours early, only to watch latecomers with high-numbered passes being allowed to board in the 'only passengers with numbers 1 - 61' phase.

isn't the boarding chaos amazing?
why don't they just give out seat assignments? does that really save them money???

i guess it saves time, more than money, by not having to ask everyone what type of seat they want. but it reminds me of the iberia boarding chaos thirty years ago.

i was soooo glad when they FINALLY started assigning seats!!!!

I liked the no seat assignments. It was super quick loading that plane! Our flight was only about 2 hours (maybe less). Who cares WHERE you sit for 2 hours?

I just want to get off a plane as fast as possible - so sitting there while everyone takes forever stashing all their junk drives me crazy.

"only to watch latecomers with high-numbered passes being allowed to board in the 'only passengers with numbers 1 - 61' phase. "

During boarding at Stansted at the beginning of October, Ryanair were very strict about this. Several people were turned away from the gate because of "high numbers". I was quite glad to see this. On the return flight, it seemed to be a bit of a "Free for all".

There was also a slight problem with groups of people boarding late, then wanting to sit together, so trying to "negotiate" other people out of the seats they wanted. Twice the stewardess had to insist that people take the nearest available seat, or the flight would be delayed.

i find the "no seats" very stressful for families or travel mates that want to be together, have fear of flying..or think they need to be near a certain person,place.

but i do see that it must be a time/money saver or they wouldn't do it.

I think that as long as they strictly apply the 'seats 1-65' rule strictly, it's quite a fair system. It encourages people to come to the airport early, so queues at check-in are better spread out. People that absolutely want to sit together or have a special seat, just have to make sure that they come to the airport well in time.

And yes, as for the back seats, I think it's about unloading the plane from both front and back.