Seats at tail end of plane - q ?

[Pollywaffle]

Hi all.

I am flying economy on a United Flight in October to the US.

In a real flip from my normal requests, I selected a window seat at the back of the plane where there are only 2 seats (58B).

Checking the seat map today, I notice someone has plonked themselves beside me. It was always a possibility, som nothign I can do about that.

Anyway, my question is do these seats provide any additional leg room if I slant my legs towards the side? Bear in mind that I am slated to sit beside a stranger, so I doubt they'd appreciate me encroaching on their space.

SeatGuru gives them a green rating with the message they are great for extra baggage by the window. The baggage bit does not interest me. The potential for an extra inch or two of leg room does.

looking at the current seat availability, my other options are an aisle seat in Row 50 in the middle section. 2 seats are free, so potentially the one next to me will remain free or heading to the back row (Row 61) and choosing any seat there - all currently empty.

Thanks in advance, PW

 

[chrizzz14]

Extra leg room....unless you like sitting awkwardly, then no deal.
If your used to leaning against the window when you sleep, also no deal.
Nice smooth flight, rather unlikely as the tail is what gets whipped around the most.
Storing baggage in the void space between the seat and window, not allowed on qantas planes, not sure about UA.

Ive had to endure a 14 hr flight back there just once, never again will i do such a thing!

On a positive side, (on qantas i know for sure) they start the meal service at the tail of the plane, so you get fed first!
And you get to bored first ( after first/business ofcourse)

 

[harvyk]

If you don't mind sitting at a slight angle, then yes you'll get a bit of extra leg room...

That said I personally would never choose one of those seats as I would find the gap very annoying...

 

[redcow]

My wife and I have been using these seats for the last 15 years i don't think there is any more leg room but as we are 164cm and 70kg seat size is not a problem we have used the space beside the window seat for our hand luggage without any problems Meals on long flights alternates first one time last next time We find that only being 2 out weighs everything else the only downside is that you are probably last through immigration but having said that my luggage has never beaten me out yet
redcow

 

[albatross710]

In a real flip from my normal requests, I selected a window seat at the back of the plane where there are only 2 seats (58B).

Two good things about taking a tail seat are,

1. Aeroplanes very rarely go tail first into mountains. You should feel marginally safer when lost in cloud.

2. The tail part of a plane often stays intact upon runway crash impact.

These are of course meant as light hearted response to you otherwise serious enquiry. Everyone else provided such good responses.

Not sure that these benefits were the type you were seeking.

 

[serfty]

My wife and I have been using these seats for the last 15 years ...

Welcome to AFF redcow

 

[Evan]

<..>
2. The tail part of a plane often stays intact upon runway crash impact.
<..>

That it does but i do believe there was a study that says the most survivable area it between the wings.

I like the bumps down at the tail... sort of like rocking the baby to sleep
(Although i generally value a forward isle seat to get out the little metal tube asap)

 

[Pollywaffle]

Thanks for the feedback and reassuring photographic evidence that I am safer at the end of the plane.

I think I'll just stick with these seats and start concentrating on things to do once I land in Chicago.