A Bulkhead Seat is the front-row seat in a cabin section, positioned directly behind a dividing wall or galley.
In the world of business class, bulkhead seats—typically found in row 1 or the first row of a mini-cabin—are highly coveted real estate. Because there is no passenger seated in front of you, the physical constraints of the seat design often change. In staggered configurations, airlines do not have to squeeze your feet under someone else’s console. Instead, bulkhead seats typically feature a wide-open ottoman or an extra-large footwell cut directly into the dividing wall. This means significantly more sleeping space, freedom to move your legs, and occasionally extra storage compartments. Some airlines even market their bulkhead rows as a distinct product, like the JetBlue Mint Studio or Virgin Atlantic’s Retreat Suite, charging a premium to sit there. If a bulkhead seat is available during booking, you should generally grab it immediately.
They can be, as they are often located adjacent to the galley or lavatories. Wearing noise-canceling headphones easily mitigates this minor drawback.
During takeoff and landing, all bags must be stowed in the overhead bins because there is no seat in front of you to put your bag under.
Seat Pitch is the distance from a point on one seat to the exact same point on the seat in front of it, measured in inches.
A Footwell is the enclosed cubby or recess in staggered and herringbone seat designs where passengers’ feet rest when the seat is fully reclined.
A Throne Seat is a solo window seat with consoles on both sides, offering maximum privacy and surface area in alternating staggered configurations.
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