Airlines have figured out how to charge us for just about everything, including where we sit – but one “premium” spot I still don’t understand is the beloved bulkhead seat.
Airlines know which seats people like best and therefore will charge the most for them. As a result, they separate the cabin into categories and charge fees based on demand for each seat type. For example, most carriers charge extra for aisle and window seats, knowing people will pay to avoid being in the dreaded middle seat.
The other section airlines charge more for is “extra” seats. These are seats that the airlines install with extra legroom. Airlines have multiple reasons for having these seats. They’re the ones frequent flyers can choose when buying a ticket to ensure they’ll have a more comfortable flight. For the rest of the passengers who don’t want to be crammed in shoulder to shoulder, it’s a way to pay for a somewhat more civilized flying experience.
The “extra” section generally includes two other plane rows: the exit rows and the bulkhead row(s). I get the appeal of an exit row, but I can’t understand why people enjoy sitting in the bulkhead.
Why sit in the bulkhead?
Here’s my idea of a bulkhead seat. You’re sitting in a row with no tray table in front of you. Because of that, the tray table is in the armrest, decreasing the width of your seat. If the plane has an entertainment system, your screen is mounted to the wall, but it’s further away than usual, yet no larger than the rest, making it less functional. If the screen is a touchscreen, it’s too far away.
You have no space to place your items under the seat in front of you, so you need to store them in the overhead with the rest of your carry-on bags. Since airlines often use the overhead space above the first 1–2 rows as a place for emergency equipment or the props for the onboard announcement (mock seat belt and life vest), you might have to store your items a few rows behind where you’re sitting.
While bulkhead rows used to have a large amount of, or even seemingly unlimited, legroom, that’s no longer the case on many planes. In fact, you’re barely able to stretch out your legs anymore. In a normal seat, it’s still possible to get a full extension if you know the proper body mechanics, breathing technique, and yoga training.
It depends on the plane.
Some aircraft have a bulkhead that isn’t a wall but a curtain. For instance, the American Airlines 737-800s with the Oasis interior do not have a wall. The three seats behind first class have legroom sliced up to provide space for each passenger. This means you can stretch your legs and keep your personal bag with you.
Since these planes don’t have an in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, there’s no need to worry about a screen. The main downside is that the tray table is in the armrest, making the seats narrower. There’s also no power source on the seat in front of you.
Why do people pay extra?
So, how can airlines get away with charging so much extra for these seats?
It’s perception versus reality. Honestly, if you check out a seat map on a plane, the bulkhead seats are rarely the ones that are booked first. The only people booking seats in the “extra” sections far in advance are frequent flyers who get to choose those seats for free. Look at what seats they pick. They go for the exit rows or the first rows of the preferred section, but the bulkhead seats are usually empty. They’ll remain available for purchase for between $25 and $75, depending on the length of the flight. You’re often able to purchase or upgrade to these seats up until the day of departure, and at that time the only people buying them are the ones forced into it because they’re the only seats left for purchase at the last minute.
However, I understand that some passengers prefer the additional legroom offered by a bulkhead. For taller individuals, having a wall instead of a seat in front of them means their knees won’t be cramped. Additionally, there’s no risk of the passenger in front reclining their seat. Bulkhead rows can also be assigned to families with lap infants when bassinets are available, which is another reason some people actively seek them out. I guess that can be worth the inconvenience of having to put your bag in the overhead and a slightly narrower seat.
Besides taller passengers, it seems like the only other ones who prefer the bulkhead are the ones who like to treat the plane like it’s their living room, such as this passenger on one of my flights.
For me, if I’m paying extra, I’d rather have a regular “extra legroom” seat with under-seat storage and a normal-width seat than a bulkhead row where I’m staring at a wall and fighting for overhead space.
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