Securing a preferred seat by checking in 24 hours before a flight has become an essential part of many travelers’ plans, especially for long-haul flights. Despite best efforts, sometimes passengers face unexpected challenges.
One traveler encountered such a situation on a 14-hour British Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Malaysia, to London (LHR) after selecting the window seat 41A. Despite the typical allure of a window seat, this passenger described the experience as “absolute hell” due to the lack of a window and limited space on the Boeing 787 aircraft.
The passenger’s concerns with the seat didn’t end there.
In an effort to caution others about reserving seat 41A on a BA flight, the traveler shared a photo depicting the restricted legroom, highlighting a silver box located under the seat in front on the left side believed to be the entertainment system. This configuration forced the passenger in seat 41A to adjust their legs to the right, encroaching on the neighboring passenger’s space.
Sharing their ordeal on Reddit, the passenger expressed frustration, stating, “I regret choosing window seat 41A on the Boeing 787 from KL to London. It’s a 14-hour flight, and the seat conditions are unacceptable. There’s no window, limited space, the entertainment box infringes on foot space, and I was seated between two larger individuals.
“It was truly a nightmare. This seat should not be sold at all. Fortunately, after an hour, the flight attendants took pity on me, given my cramped position (186cm tall), and relocated me free of charge. I want to warn others never to select this seat. I’d rather endure a 14-hour Ryanair flight.”
Although the passenger was eventually able to change seats, they labeled the Reddit post as “A warning to everyone about 41A and 41K.”
The post garnered numerous responses from sympathetic travelers who shared similar frustrations during long flights.
One commenter expressed disdain for the design of the entertainment boxes, labeling them a disaster. Another criticized the outdated technology and excessive power consumption of such systems.
A different traveler recounted their discomfort on a flight from LHR to Boston, where they experienced numbness in their leg due to the limited space caused by the entertainment box.
Explaining the function of the entertainment box, another individual described it as a mini computer running multiple screens, acknowledging the challenges of economy seating, especially in corner sections. They commended the airline for the seat change.
Highlighting the impact of seat configurations, another traveler pointed out that some Japanese airlines opt for fewer seats per row on the Dreamliner, enhancing passenger comfort on long journeys.
British Airways has been approached for comment regarding this incident.
Do you have a travel experience to share? Contact us at webtravel@reachplc.com
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