“Safest” Club Europe seats
Jul 7, 2020, 7:56 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,983
Searching the web has some answers:
The article would make you never leave your home again in the Express but then they counter it with this article.
National Geographic have diagrams of how a virus could spread and saying a window seat is better, as per the previous article.
The BBC takes it's usual well balanced approach here.
Like everything you do there is an element of risk. Variables will change depending on time of day, where the plane has just come from, who's on the flight, who stood near you in the terminal, what you touched and did you touch your face. So, picking a seat is just one element to consider. Personally I would wipe down the area around me, bag the wipes safely, sanitise my hands and keep them away from my masked face. If everyone is wearing masks, then that will hopefully reduce the risk of airborne droplets that carry the most risk. Every seat has pluses and minuses to it. I would go for the last seat with no one behind me, but that means passing through more of the cabin and touching something may be contaminated.
The article would make you never leave your home again in the Express but then they counter it with this article.
National Geographic have diagrams of how a virus could spread and saying a window seat is better, as per the previous article.
The BBC takes it's usual well balanced approach here.
Like everything you do there is an element of risk. Variables will change depending on time of day, where the plane has just come from, who's on the flight, who stood near you in the terminal, what you touched and did you touch your face. So, picking a seat is just one element to consider. Personally I would wipe down the area around me, bag the wipes safely, sanitise my hands and keep them away from my masked face. If everyone is wearing masks, then that will hopefully reduce the risk of airborne droplets that carry the most risk. Every seat has pluses and minuses to it. I would go for the last seat with no one behind me, but that means passing through more of the cabin and touching something may be contaminated.
Probably ET and the last row, as you're the last to board and you have no one behind you breathing - tuck yourself into the corner (window).
But really, as other have said if this kind of thing is make or break for you then I think you're not ready to fly because the risk difference between seats is going to be negligible. The odds of someone carrying the disease being sat in your vicinity in CE are going to be the same for every seat assuming even distribution of passengers.
But really, as other have said if this kind of thing is make or break for you then I think you're not ready to fly because the risk difference between seats is going to be negligible. The odds of someone carrying the disease being sat in your vicinity in CE are going to be the same for every seat assuming even distribution of passengers.
Jul 7, 2020, 8:08 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
As I said there will also be those who disagree with the research, those who use simpler models that don’t take into account airflow of the shape of the cabin looking simple at time in proximity (as reference in the likes of the other articles that people have quoted). As I say, nobody knows for sure, and there is a small risk wherever you sit.
Jul 7, 2020, 8:15 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2018
Programs: Aadvantage platinum; IHG Spire
Posts: 546
This would be my instinct as well. Row 1 would work but only if you board last. If you make sue of the previously much coveted priority boarding then whilst you settle into your seat, the whole remainder of the plane needs to file past you. That strikes me as being more risky than anything else, although I agree with CWS' comments about micro managing small risks vs staying at home.
Jul 7, 2020, 8:31 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Thank you for your replies.
I'm not sure where from some of you got the impression that I was overly worrying about the seat choice. Some people here worry about what the best seat is to guarantee that a medium-rare steak will arrive at the correct serving temperature, not too warm, not too cold. So some curiosity around opinions when it comes to seat selection and spreading of particles that might come from sneezing and coughing does not seem that crazy to me.
I am not and was not by any means thinking that the seat choice would make any significant difference in terms of risk when compared to other more serious factors.
Just to clarify, no one is forcing me to fly, it's my choice, but if my parents didn't live in Sardinia, I would not be flying. Not because I am terrified at the idea, but because I think I could do without it. However, things are relatively "quiet' now and it's a great opportunity to see my elderly parents who I might not be able to see for who knows how long depending on how things evolve.
I'm not sure where from some of you got the impression that I was overly worrying about the seat choice. Some people here worry about what the best seat is to guarantee that a medium-rare steak will arrive at the correct serving temperature, not too warm, not too cold. So some curiosity around opinions when it comes to seat selection and spreading of particles that might come from sneezing and coughing does not seem that crazy to me.
I am not and was not by any means thinking that the seat choice would make any significant difference in terms of risk when compared to other more serious factors.
Just to clarify, no one is forcing me to fly, it's my choice, but if my parents didn't live in Sardinia, I would not be flying. Not because I am terrified at the idea, but because I think I could do without it. However, things are relatively "quiet' now and it's a great opportunity to see my elderly parents who I might not be able to see for who knows how long depending on how things evolve.
Last edited by ringingup; Jul 8, 2020 at 12:36 am
Jul 7, 2020, 8:34 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Thank you for your replies.
I'm not sure where from some of you got the impression that I was overly worrying about the seat choice. Some people here worry about what's the best seat to guarantee that a medium-rare steak will arrive at the correct serving temperature, not too warm, not too cold. So some curiosity around opinions when it comes to seat selection and spreading of particles that might come from sneezing and coughing does not seem that crazy to me.
I am not and was not by any means thinking that the seat choice would make any significant difference in terms of risk when compared to other more serious factors.
Just to clarify, no one is forcing me to fly, it's my choice, but if my parents didn't live in Sardinia, I would not be flying. Not because I am terrified at the idea, but because I think I could do without it. However, things are relatively "quiet' now and it's a great opportunity to see my elderly parents who I might not be able to see for who knows how long depending on how things evolve.
I'm not sure where from some of you got the impression that I was overly worrying about the seat choice. Some people here worry about what's the best seat to guarantee that a medium-rare steak will arrive at the correct serving temperature, not too warm, not too cold. So some curiosity around opinions when it comes to seat selection and spreading of particles that might come from sneezing and coughing does not seem that crazy to me.
I am not and was not by any means thinking that the seat choice would make any significant difference in terms of risk when compared to other more serious factors.
Just to clarify, no one is forcing me to fly, it's my choice, but if my parents didn't live in Sardinia, I would not be flying. Not because I am terrified at the idea, but because I think I could do without it. However, things are relatively "quiet' now and it's a great opportunity to see my elderly parents who I might not be able to see for who knows how long depending on how things evolve.
Jul 7, 2020, 8:39 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
Jul 7, 2020, 6:21 pm
#23
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Jul 7, 2020, 10:28 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
Jul 8, 2020, 2:13 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: London
Programs: BA, VS, HH, IHG, MB, MR
Posts: 26,871
If you haven't read the Jersey thread, there is now an interesting extra quirk to this discussion.
If you enter Jersey and test positive, you are placed under house arrest for 14 days. More importantly, everyone sitting in the 2 rows behind and in front of you is also placed under house arrest for 14 days. You will be in a property provided by the Government, not your booked hotel.
On this basis, Row 1 or the very back row is now substantially the best choice, because it reduces by 50% your chance of being caught up in something like this if another passenger tests positive.
If you enter Jersey and test positive, you are placed under house arrest for 14 days. More importantly, everyone sitting in the 2 rows behind and in front of you is also placed under house arrest for 14 days. You will be in a property provided by the Government, not your booked hotel.
On this basis, Row 1 or the very back row is now substantially the best choice, because it reduces by 50% your chance of being caught up in something like this if another passenger tests positive.
Jul 8, 2020, 11:15 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,746
I meant in regards to contracting covid, rather than risk factors of driving vs flying in normal times. However, here in Canada road traffic collisions are about 1/8 of usual levels simply because there is much less traffic on the roads now.
Jul 8, 2020, 1:18 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver, ITA Club Executive, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,599
- Driving would require making several stops, including in hotels overnight
- You'd need to take an overnight ferry
Jul 8, 2020, 2:09 pm
#29
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
We’ll be flying in August to Sardinia to visit family now that we have a relatively safe opportunity window.
I’ve been thinking about what the “safest” seats for a couple might be... I’m tempted to say Row 1 because of the extra space, but at the same time in row 1 you’re close to the “waiting area” for the toilets.
Any thoughts,
I’ve been thinking about what the “safest” seats for a couple might be... I’m tempted to say Row 1 because of the extra space, but at the same time in row 1 you’re close to the “waiting area” for the toilets.
Any thoughts,
Statistically catching C19 is low risk on a plane, overlaid with your personal risk gives you your answer.
Personally if I were 60+, and I’m not, I would travel. Life is short and to be lived, I’d rather take the very low risk vs. staying at home and panicking about going to Tesco.
We need to be sensible and make our own risk assessments based on facts.
Jul 8, 2020, 2:40 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 1,020
