Originally Posted by enviroian
I've sat in that first row now four times and for the reasons you mentioned above I probably won't seek it again.
It's interesting how people differ. I value Row 1, but primarily on the
westbound flight. I've found that the row 2 - 7 seatbacks have too much recline even when they're supposedly vertical, whereas in row 1 the seatback seems to me to be perfectly vertical, which I find more comfortable. Also, of course, in row 1 you can have a window seat but be able to get out without having to climb over your neighbor unless he/she is actually lying flat (which seldom happens on the westbound flight).