Has anyone ever put the First-Class cabin at the rear of the plane?
 

Based on statistics like this:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3579/...61f5f0e6_o.png

shouldn't the First-Class cabin be at the rear of the plane?

I'd prefer just not to crash, thanks. :)

I've actually wondered about this, as well ... there have been many reports about the safest location being the back, but the benefit of getting off early and the expectation of a safe landing will leave the cabin up front, I expect.

Exactly the early boarding and deplaning is surely why it is where it is. What would be interesting is what about planes/airlines that load at the back? DJ for example, often load at the back, but still put Premium Economy up the front, given how little improvement there is for that product it would strike me as a disadvantage.

Back in the days of long distance propellor driven aircraft, some airlines placed the First Class cabin at the rear of the aircraft primarily because by being behind the props there was less noise and vibration.

If I were worried about where I should sit based upon my chances of surviving a crash, I wouldn't even fly.

I am pretty sure I was on a LOT Polish Airlines ATR and the Business class section was in the back (I was the only passenger in Business also).

CSA have that configuration. I last flew it 3 days ago. It's an alright idea, but it is a bit annoying when the last row of WHY reclines into you!

I flew LOT last year from Warsaw to Tel Aviv, and it was seated as you would expect.

Another thing I've wondered about: I'd MUCH rather board last. It would be great if First / Business came with guaranteed overhead space, assurance that coach people passing by wouldn't take your pillow/blanket etc, so you could board LAST.

I generally board first to avoid the above problems, but would much rather not have to push my way past gate fleas, etc, and slip on last....

The ATR boards from the back right? So makes sense to have biz class closest to the door.

As other posters have mentioned, in prop aircraft it is also much quieter towards the rear - so F used to be at the back (when F was even offered on those planes).

According to Ansett Australia reservations they used to offer F class on their F27s out of MEL to Burnie and Wynyard. I don't know what the seating looked like (and they coudln't tell me) but they said it was in the last row. (Still seems a bit odd to me but I rang them about three times to confirm (I was 12 at the time!))

With jets F is tradiationally at the front because it is quiet and get a better ride - the only two exceptions I can think of is Air China which has moved its F cabin out of the nose of the 747 and put it between doors 1 and 2, and of course lufthansa that has F upstairs.

Regards

lme ff

As mentioned earlier, propeller driven a/c had first class in the rear of the plane away from the noise and vibration of the propellers. Douglas DC-6s and DC-7s had fc in the rear of the plane, where you board through the rear door and turn right to go to your fc seat. A lounge was also typically located at the rear of those a/c. Lockheed Constellations had first class in the rear of the a/c as well. Some Connies and Boeing Stratocruisers had fc forward of the props as well as aft of the rear door. UA used to market their own B377 Stratocruisers with "Honeymoon Suites", where a suite was set up for 2 pax with its own restroom at the rear of the a/c. Then UA gave up on the suites when they found out that the 377s used to "porpoise" up and down during turbulence, where pax in the Suite felt like they were in a roller coaster ride for several hours between California and Hawaii. To be efficient with space, most piston prop airliners would place the restrooms adjacent to the props, thereby creating a divider between the forward cabin, the main cabin and the fc cabin behind the aft exit door.

i don't think first in back would go over bery big with AA passengers on MD 80's

i would think the F/A's could actually file with osha or someone as i am certain those noise levels exceed safe work levels.

i also think that 777's are much quieter in the back.

i have not sat in the back of many planes recently, but in the past, i have noticed significant fishtailing on some of the longer ones.

I agree, airlines need to keep a better eye on FC Overhead space. I fly FC over 50% of the time & I am sick of GATE LICE stealing FC overhead bin space and everything else. If I have a FC Boarding pass, I want to board first, get my drink & relax.

Since airlines are nickeling & dimeing everything else, ENFORCE the perks for us FF that help support you !!! WE HAVE EARNED THEM. I am sure United, Delta or any of your other competitors would like our $$$ jsut as much as you do.

Why am I thinking Titanic and the methodology of who got a place in the lifeboats with this one?

yeah, I think the days of paying more for better survival chances are looked upon as somewhat distasteful. If there is any argument for it, it's to speed up boarding and let all the F pax get to the back first and not clog up the rest of the process. But it would only fly if they could also get off first.

Why would you want to do that as opposed to staying in the lounge and drinking (and maybe eating) there until everyone else has boarded?