WTplus bulkhead seats
Feb 24, 2017, 1:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA, BA, SPG, FFFWP
Posts: 171
WTplus bulkhead seats
Picking seats for my LHR-ORD flight and Seat Guru recommends the bulkhead row of seats, but 4 of those seats are reserved for people with infants and 2 of them are already booked, which means I would have to separate myself and my travel partner. Does anyone know when they release those seats?
Feb 24, 2017, 2:05 pm
#2
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
Assuming you don't have status on BA, then you will get the possible option of getting them at online check-in, 24 hours before departure. If you call 48 hours before departure, you may also get them, possibly, however in WTP it is also very possible that a parent and child will want that seat.
I wouldn't rely on seatguru, it has numerous errors in it, it is essentially an advertising sink site. thebasource.com is much better on the whole.
In particular, the idea that bulkheads are good in WTP is very much open to question - you should find a thread elsewhere in this forum relating to your aircraft type with more details - but essentially the design of WTP means you normally have more legroom away from the bulkheads, indeed some people strive to get the final row in WTP. You do get more kneeroom in the bulkheads though less legroom, but the spacing in WTP isn't as constrained as normal World Traveller / economy seating around the knee. The case for bulkheads is more for single travellers, rather than couples, since there is some possibility of the window seat person getting out without too much disturbance to the aisle passenger. But you're travelling in company so that doesn't really apply.
I wouldn't rely on seatguru, it has numerous errors in it, it is essentially an advertising sink site. thebasource.com is much better on the whole.
In particular, the idea that bulkheads are good in WTP is very much open to question - you should find a thread elsewhere in this forum relating to your aircraft type with more details - but essentially the design of WTP means you normally have more legroom away from the bulkheads, indeed some people strive to get the final row in WTP. You do get more kneeroom in the bulkheads though less legroom, but the spacing in WTP isn't as constrained as normal World Traveller / economy seating around the knee. The case for bulkheads is more for single travellers, rather than couples, since there is some possibility of the window seat person getting out without too much disturbance to the aisle passenger. But you're travelling in company so that doesn't really apply.
Feb 24, 2017, 2:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
I love these seats and for my particular route GIG-LHR on a 777 they have always been released 3 days prior, but then we have status and can jump in and reserve them at the time they are freed. We are a family of 4 and take the entire centre aisle. On some aircraft the window bulkheads are exit seats so we can't get those as the kids are under 12.
Feb 24, 2017, 2:49 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Michigan
Programs: AA, BA, SPG, FFFWP
Posts: 171
Thanks for the tip on BASource. Much more useful! I am still unsure about taking my chances with the bulkhead seats. I assume the video screen and tray table are in the armrest.
Feb 24, 2017, 2:59 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
Yes, and that shaves about a centimeter off the width; I've never noticed this myself but I have a normal build. The advantage for me is the fact that no-one can recline their seat in front of you. Stowing the TV on take off and landing is only what happens in CW and first in any case, so no real loss of amenity with that. I would grab these seats if I were you!
Feb 24, 2017, 3:00 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
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Posts: 5,918
The video screen in the bulkhead seat is in the arm rest, in WTP on the 777 all the seats have the tray tables in the armrest
Feb 24, 2017, 3:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
Also, I forgot the mention that having the tray in the side arm, independent of the seat in front, means that when they adjust the angle of their pitch, your dinner is not affected by that action.
Feb 24, 2017, 4:02 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,435
All WT+ seats have an independent tray table.
Feb 24, 2017, 4:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA Blue, IC Spire Ambassador
Posts: 5,228
This is not correct - the bulkhead tv screens (IE ones that fold away) need to be folded away for takeoff & landing.
Feb 24, 2017, 4:48 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
Forgive the misdirection, but i was using the term colloquially, in the sense of merely something that also happens. I appreciate your alertness as, with hindsight, it is completely misleading.
Feb 24, 2017, 9:20 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PEK and BOS
Programs: BA - Blue
Posts: 4,530
If one is quite tall, as mentioned, the bulkheads can limit legroom. I personally like them, since I don't like someone reclining in front of me (if I can help it).
The bassinet table can also be useful e.g. in putting one's finished meal tray on to get up and use the loo when others are busy trapped by their meals!
Anecdotally, my op-up chances seem to be higher when I'm in a bulk-head seat, but this shouldn't be a major reason to choose!
Downside: less time to use IFE compared with the regular seats, sl. less seat width. On most recent flight, I was unable to recline, and thought it was a seat issue, but apparently I didn't try hard enough!
tb
The bassinet table can also be useful e.g. in putting one's finished meal tray on to get up and use the loo when others are busy trapped by their meals!
Anecdotally, my op-up chances seem to be higher when I'm in a bulk-head seat, but this shouldn't be a major reason to choose!
Downside: less time to use IFE compared with the regular seats, sl. less seat width. On most recent flight, I was unable to recline, and thought it was a seat issue, but apparently I didn't try hard enough!
tb
Oct 30, 2023, 8:11 am
#12
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,506
Hello all
I am very tall and able to select the bulkhead in WTP on the Boeing 789 (seat 16B) - does this have significant extra legroom? I am two metres tall so know some bulkheads are better than others!
I am very tall and able to select the bulkhead in WTP on the Boeing 789 (seat 16B) - does this have significant extra legroom? I am two metres tall so know some bulkheads are better than others!
Oct 30, 2023, 8:33 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2022
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,470
No. It actually has less legroom. But more knee room. I personally like them. But I'm only 5'10". I like the bulkhead window seat as it makes it easy to climb out without disturbing the pesron next to you.
Oct 30, 2023, 11:52 am
#15
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,803
I'm 6ft 1 (1.84m) and I would avoid the bulkheads. You lose some leg room (but get the knee room), the seats are slightly narrower for the TV screen, a fellow heffalump may well be seeking to sit next to you, on some aircraft you lose the window, most aircraft you lose access to the front seatback storage and water holders. You do gain the bassinet table top but it's a bit high up, plus there could actually be a baby in residence......