Bulkhead seats on a plane

I saw an old thread about this which tipped me off to bulkhead seating, and I called the airline and reserved (no promises, but I'll probably get it) bulkhead seating because I recently had knee surgery.

My question: Is this really the seating with the most legroom? I looked at seatguru.com, and it said for this particular plane (a 777), you get limited legroom and no video screen because there is no seat in front of you. But in the seating chart of the plane, it looks like you get more legroom. (This is an economy ticket, fyi).

So, did I just do myself a favor or a harm by getting the bulkhead seating?

I've flown on a British Airways 777 across the Atlantic seated at a bulkhead, and from my experience there was *more* than enough legroom.  And I did have a video screen- it was just folded down next to the armrest since I didn't have a seat in front of me.  The only negative to bulkhead seating is that you have to make sure and stow all your carryon luggage overhead during takeoff and landing, but even that is simply just a minor annoyance.  If you can get it, bulkhead is the way to go, IMO.

Yes, you will always get more leg room! I mostly fly bulkhead (I'm very tall and have a bad knee) and its way better.  You should get your own TV (it will probably pull out like your meal tray thing.

I've flown on a British Airways 777 across the Atlantic seated at a bulkhead, and from my experience there was *more* than enough legroom.  And I did have a video screen- it was just folded down next to the armrest since I didn't have a seat in front of me.  The only negative to bulkhead seating is that you have to make sure and stow all your carryon luggage overhead during takeoff and landing, but even that is simply just a minor annoyance.  If you can get it, bulkhead is the way to go, IMO.

Thank you, that puts my mind at ease. Now I'm not sure that they put me in for an aisle seat like I wanted, but we'll see. They said I will get bulkhead seating unless someone with a "fully-fused leg" or companion animal needs it. And I understand that, I've got a knee problems and pain, but I won't argue if someone in worse shape than me needs the seat!

I suggest calling the airline to make sure.  I've had bulkhead before; sometimes with room, and sometimes worse than a regular seat, because there was a wall in front, which gave me nowhere to stick my feet underneath.  It depends on the type of plane.
I always call to double check.
I usually try to get to the airport early and get an emergency exit row seat; that's where you're guaranteed legroom. 

I usually try to get to the airport early and get an emergency exit row seat; that's where you're guaranteed legroom. 

That's what I do - although sometimes I feel a bit guilty about it as I'm only 5'4". I just hate feeling cramped!

I've flown on a British Airways 777 across the Atlantic seated at a bulkhead, and from my experience there was *more* than enough legroom. 

I'm flying an American Airlines 777. I just checked seat guru, and while it says bulkhead seats are good on British Airways 777s, they are listed as less legroom on American Airlines! I don't know what to think, why put someone with a handicapped request on a seat with less legroom? And seat guru says that the bulkhead seating on AA 777s do not have a personal video screen.

This sucks. Has anyone flown on an AA 777 in the bulkhead position to tell me how accurate seat guru is? I can't really expect to get emergency exit seating, as I'm handicapped by these knee problems.

I have used seatguru many times and it has always been right regarding my flights.  Call AA.

I think Pebbles might just know a thing or two about American Airlines!  She would probably be your best bet for an answer. Hope she finds this thread!

That's what I do - although sometimes I feel a bit guilty about it as I'm only 5'4". I just hate feeling cramped!

They wouldn't give her a exit row as she has knee surgery and you have to be fit to open the exit door...

We had bulkhead seats on an AA 777 after Christmas 2005.  There was plenty of leg room -- I could stretch my legs all the way out and not touch the wall ahead of me.  Your tv and tray will be stowed in/near your armrest.

The only possible drawback is that people with infants who want to use the airlines cots are also put in the bulkhead seats, so you may have to deal with loud babies, but we didn't have that problem.

We had bulkhead seats on an AA 777 after Christmas 2005.  There was plenty of leg room -- I could stretch my legs all the way out and not touch the wall ahead of me.  Your tv and tray will be stowed in/near your armrest.

The only possible drawback is that people with infants who want to use the airlines cots are also put in the bulkhead seats, so you may have to deal with loud babies, but we didn't have that problem.

Ah, thanks so much! It's amazing the wealth of knowledge on this board -- I actually found someone who flew in an AA bulkhead seat! The baby thing could be an issue if there was a little one that cried non-stop, but otherwise I wouldn't mind. Babies are cute -- when they're calm. And I'll have headphones when they aren't!

Ah, thanks so much! It's amazing the wealth of knowledge on this board -- I actually found someone who flew in an AA bulkhead seat! The baby thing could be an issue if there was a little one that cried non-stop, but otherwise I wouldn't mind. Babies are cute -- when they're calm. And I'll have headphones when they aren't!

You would have loved Josh   He has always been an Angel on planes.

I second the AA bulkheads, I've had them in the past and they had plenty of room and the tray and video were in the armrest.  Oh and at least on Virgin (That I know of) They have the babies who go in the cots on the sides, so you should be able to get one of the middle bulkhead seats.

You might want to bring a note from your Dr about any medical reasons you might have.  I've not had anyone ask for one, but I was told to bring one and it can't hurt at least having it in case.  When I flew pregnant, I always had to show my bump when I asked for bulkhead.  (It's good that you requested ahead of time though.

You might want to bring a note from your Dr about any medical reasons you might have.  I've not had anyone ask for one, but I was told to bring one and it can't hurt at least having it in case.  When I flew pregnant, I always had to show my bump when I asked for bulkhead.  (It's good that you requested ahead of time though.

Hmm, no one at AA told me to bring a note. I do walk visibly in a very slow, halting way, and I've got scars and a swollen knee from surgery if they want proof. Though I think it's a bit ridiculous they asked you to show your bump, unless maybe you really weren't showing much yet. And I'd think it a bit crazy if they asked me to show my scars, too. Especially since they didn't ask for the note.

Hmm, no one at AA told me to bring a note. I do walk visibly in a very slow, halting way, and I've got scars and a swollen knee from surgery if they want proof. Though I think it's a bit ridiculous they asked you to show your bump, unless maybe you really weren't showing much yet. And I'd think it a bit crazy if they asked me to show my scars, too. Especially since they didn't ask for the note.

Well, I think the guy asked me if I was really pregnant because a woman right before me had asked for the bulkhead because she was pregnant.  At the end of him checking her in, she laughed and said she was not really pregnant.  So I can't blame him.  He didn't ask to see it, I showed him. (I was about 5 months and you could tell)

I don't think they will ask to see your scars.  This was a long time ago that I was asked to bring a note.  I don't think it was unreasonable, there are people like that woman who get a seat there when it could go to someone that needs it. (Like you)