Not facing forward on takeoff?

Would love to know what people think of seats not facing directly forward, especially on take off? Many airlines now have herringbone or rear facing seats. Have never travelled in one but idea of facing sidewards on takeoff doesn't sound appealing!

I enjoyed sitting backwards on Etihad's Boeing 787s - was quite an unusual sight looking at the engine on take-off and landing, but once the aircraft is in the sky, you pretty much forget about it and it becomes like any other flight.

I rather enjoy backward facing seats. The only ones I dont like are on BA where you have to stare at the person squeezed in along side of you. Facing rear [or sideways] is different but in no way bad.

I have only faced backwards on an EY A380 in their First Suites, was an interesting experience as you expect take off to feel a certain way. once airborne you don't notice any difference.

Makes no real difference to me, except on BA when you have to look your neighbour directly in the eyes and try not to fall in love with them.

I specifically choose the rear facing seats on American's 772s as they offer more privacy generally in the windows. You actually can hardly tell any difference - not something to even think twice about.

Couldn’t think of anything worse. I like to face the direction I am traveling.

Originally Posted by Dredgy

If you are looking at your neighbour "directly in the eyes" on BA, then you are cross-eyed and should seek help! To look directly at them you need to either angle your head - or your eyes - to 45 degrees. Don't people normally look straight ahead, or out the window when taking off and landing? I certainly do.

I have no problem with rear-facing seats. In fact in some ways, I really like them. The herringbone/sideways angle seats I find a little less appealing, but just look out the window and it matters little.

Facing backwards just reverses the take-off and landing experience, so the acceleration is away from the seat on take-off and toward the seat on landing. Once you are at cruise it only changes any attempt to watch the scenery go by, which I don’t see meny people doing in premium classes. I suspect the most common backwards experience in this group would be BA J, which every one agrees is too crowded, which is enabled by the reversed seats, not caused by it.

if you face backwards you get there slower

No problem here. Slightly different feeling on take off but nothing to cause issues and once in the air, you can't tell the difference. The only ting that was a bit weird was watching the plane cameras on the IFE which show you moving in a different direction than what you see out of the window when taxiing.

Makes no difference IMO once up in the air. Just as long as you are not staring straight at another passenger (unless there is a connection!).