Backward Facing Seats

[Jetlagged Purser]

Hey Everyone,

United has announced new Business Class seats for the wide-body fleet, some of which are backward-facing. To those of you who work for airlines that currently have some backward-facing seats, I am curious to know if there are many complaints from passengers. My co-workers are thinking that we may be spending time trying to accommodate passengers who don't wish to face backwards. Are we just imagining problems?

Thanks for your input!

[lovethesky]

ba business class has backward faceing seats, and genraly have very few requests to move because they are backwards

[Cubanate]

Since the sixties I've flown backwards all over the world with no problems at all! RAF VC10's seats (used to?) face backwards because it was deemed safer for the passenger in the event of an accident - sit back rather than brace. Given the choice, I'd go for these seats every time!

[bnt]

SLF here: I have more of a sensation of speed in a fast train (e.g. TGV) than in any passenger plane, so rear-facing seats in a plane would not bother me at all.

[mechelec]

Hi SLF here, will they be flatbeds? Have travelled BA numerous occasions rear facing without a problem, but that said they are flatbeds and head is down once airborne when flying overnight.

[Atishoo]

I would hate backward seats. I wont travel on a train backwards, it makes me feel sick.

[sinkingship]

I have had no problems backwards facing, even with my friend who cant travel backwards on a train says its ok because there is not much visual reference to the outside.
(But then if i gave her the choice to travel in economy i'm sure i'll get a different response.)

[I Just Want To Fly]

Generally it is referred to as an Aft Facing Seat.

I usually get a little nautious in an aft facing crew seat or pax seat when things get a little bumpy coming into land. I'm sure the pax sitting at my exits didn't expect my crew food in their laps when they requested a little extra leg room.

[Mick Strigg]

Cubanate is correct, aft facing seats are much safer than forward facing. Airlines only have them forward facing to appease the customer, who feels that he should face the way he is going, like he is used to in a car!

For an industry that prides itself on its safety record, it seems rediculous that it still bows to customer pressure over common sense.

[Flip Flop Flyer]

Added benefit of an aft facing lie-flat seat: When reclined in the bed position, your head will be slightly higher than your feet, owing to the nose-up attitude of the aircraft. I sleep much better on an aft facing seat for that very reason.