IFE and legroom at row 1 on B738

[eminere]

Quick question for the regulars in J on the B738: is the IFE screen for row 1 seats stowed in the armrest or mounted on the bulkhead wall? Does this depend on the particular aircraft? What is the IFE situation for rows 2 and 3?

Is legroom impeded at all by the bulkhead?

Thanks!

 

[OATEK]

IFE? I don't think I have had a flight with personal IFE fitted. From memory just a singe screen on the bulkhead for the safety briefing.

I am 186cm and I find the bulkhead restricting, and MrsOatek likes to have her Mulberry hand, so generally choose Row 2.

 

[blackcat20]

It's in the armrest.

I found leg room ok, and I've got pretty long legs (longer than most men of average height). I prefer a bulkhead though rather than having another seat in front of me so its a personal preference...

 

[mikejr]

Most of the flights I have taken on these have the IFE in the arm rest.

Pros of Row 1:
Usually serviced first (but sometimes not depending on yours v other passengers status)
No-one to recline in to your space (depends if this is a big factor as you have more space regardless)

Cons of Row 1:
No use of IFE on take-off or landing (can be a little limiting on short hops)
Lesser leg-room than row 2 or 3 because just cannot stretch out under the seat in front (I am 6'6" so more than average)

 

[defurax]

As mentioned above, the legroom is a bit restricted in row 1 (I'm 6'4"), but still quite comfortable. I usually pick row 1 on short flights (MEL-SYD,CBR,ADL) to get time to enjoy the meal, on all other flights I typically take row 2

 

[eminere]

Thank you all!

 

[kermatu]

There are some 737s with the IFE on the seatback for rows 2 and 3. Can't recall if these were the NZ Jet Connect or which 737s, sorry.

No floor storage in row 1 either.

Getting very picky but there's slightly more legroom in 1C compared to the other row 1 seats given seat alignment allows your right leg to pretty much stretch all the way out with no bulkhead. But of course need to be careful not to trip anyone.

But essentially the trade-offs are as mentioned above - legroom limitation vs no seat in your face; floor storage vs none; earliest service and guaranteed meal choice vs delay/missing out. Safest to assume IFE is in arm so not much of a difference there.

 

[eminere]

Bump! Flying SYD-DRW tomorrow and have a choice between 1A and 3F. Have picked 3F as can stretch feet out under seat in front. Unfortunately row 2 is entirely taken. Any advice?

 

[medhead]

I can't exactly remember. ISTR it's mounted on the wall. For SYD-DRW the flight time is enough that you should be able to get in a movie even if it's in the armrest.
Not such a big issue as it is for ADL-SYD - currently have 2 movies partially watched.

As another comment I noticed this week that the announcements and safety demo did not interrupt my movie.

 

[boomy]

Bump! Flying SYD-DRW tomorrow and have a choice between 1A and 3F. Have picked 3F as can stretch feet out under seat in front. Unfortunately row 2 is entirely taken. Any advice?

Just pray the pax in 2F doesn't recline or else you better move to 4F

 

[eminere]

Just pray the pax in 2F doesn't recline or else you better move to 4F

Ha! My original seat was 4A then my points upgrade request cleared this morning.

Is the recline issue that bad? Am I better off in 1A?

 

[Mr_Orange]

Is the recline issue that bad? Am I better off in 1A?

No, it isn' that bad at all. You'll be fine in 3F. The only thing about row 3 is that sometimes you will not get the full choice of meals as they will have run out by the time they get to you, especially as 3F is the last J pax to be served.

 

[boomy]

Ha! My original seat was 4A then my points upgrade request cleared this morning.

Is the recline issue that bad? Am I better off in 1A?

For me the recline is not bat, it's terrible!
I can't eat properly when someone's seat is in my face and since it's J the crew doesn't always ask pax who sleep to raise their seats during meal time. That's why I always select row 1 although I'm 190cm.

 

[eminere]

Thank you both - have swapped to 1A just to be safe.

 

[kermatu]

Thank you both - have swapped to 1A just to be safe.

Good call.

 

[Austman]

I have an overnight flight in a couple of days and can't get out of row 1! Rows 2 and 3 have been full for weeks.

At least I managed to get 1C which has a chance of stretching out (one foot perhaps).

 

[Austman]

And it was awful!!

One of the worst, for comfort, over-night flights I've ever taken.

A standard Y-class seat would have been better for me than J-class row 1.

Service was fine, full J-class menu and amenity kit.

No PJs.