What Is a Bulkhead Seat?

What is a bulkhead seat?

A bulkhead seat is a seat positioned directly behind a bulkhead, which is the physical wall or partition that separates different sections of an aircraft cabin, such as between cabin classes, or in front of galleys and lavatories. Because a solid wall rather than another seat is in front of you, bulkhead seats have no seat directly ahead. This gives them a distinctive character compared with ordinary rows: there is often more space in front, but the fixed wall also changes how the seat functions, since you cannot slide items under a seat ahead of you. Bulkhead seats are found at the front of cabin sections throughout the plane, and airlines sometimes designate them for particular uses, such as families with infants.

What are the pros of a bulkhead seat?

Bulkhead seats offer several advantages. The most notable is that no one can recline a seat back into your space, since there is a wall rather than a passenger in front of you, which many travelers appreciate. There is often extra legroom because of the space between your seat and the bulkhead, though this varies. Getting in and out can be easier without a seat directly ahead. Bulkhead rows are also frequently where airlines mount bassinets for infants, making them popular and sometimes reserved for families traveling with babies. Being at the front of a cabin section can also mean quicker deplaning and, on some aircraft, a bit more of a sense of openness. For these reasons, bulkhead seats are often in demand.

What are the cons of a bulkhead seat?

Bulkhead seats also have drawbacks. Because there is no seat in front of you, there is nowhere to stow a personal item under a seat ahead, so during takeoff and landing your bags must go in the overhead bin, leaving you without easy access to items at your feet. The tray table and sometimes the entertainment screen are stored in the armrest rather than a seatback, which can make the seats slightly narrower and the armrests fixed and immovable. Bulkhead rows are sometimes located near galleys or lavatories, which can mean more noise and foot traffic. Legroom, while sometimes generous, is not guaranteed to be more than standard, and the wall in front means you cannot stretch your legs underneath a seat. These trade-offs matter for comfort.

Who should choose a bulkhead seat?

Whether to choose a bulkhead seat depends on your priorities. Families traveling with an infant often prefer or are assigned bulkhead seats because that is where bassinets attach, making them ideal for long flights with a baby. Taller passengers who value extra legroom and do not want a seat reclining in front of them may like bulkhead rows, provided the legroom is genuinely more. Travelers who want to keep a bag at their feet for the whole flight, or who like to stretch their legs under the seat ahead, should avoid bulkhead seats, since the wall and overhead-only storage rules do not allow this. If you dislike being disturbed by galley activity, check the bulkhead's location. Weighing the legroom benefit against the storage limitation helps you decide.