Ryanair - Seating allocation from Febuary

678lcr

True, early booking generally means sitting together. This is because the allocation is not random (by the way, Ryanair never claimed this!), but it follows certain rules. I made an analysis of the allocation system they use, and it seems that the seats are allocated row by row from middle to back and front of the cabin (so rows #18, #15, #19, #14, #20, #13...) and on each row from left to right (eg: 18A to 18F). Of course, premium rows are the last ones to be allocated, as they hope to sell them.

Another think I noticed is that they often allocate 2 seats on a new row, when there is only one seat available on the old row. This means that they try not to split people that check-in together. I can't tell though if this is valid only for families (couples or adults+ babies), or also for friends (with different family name) travelling together. Does anybody have any experience with it?

PS: sorry but I'm new and not allowed to put the link to the full analysis I made.

brianposter

Useful post, 678.

Now if someone else could indicate which rows have good window seats (ie the window is slightly forward of ones head), I would be properly set up for my next flight.

The_Groat_Counter

678lcr wrote: »

PS: sorry but I'm new and not allowed to put the link to the full analysis I made.

I and I'm sure others would be interested in reading it - if you're still on MSE forum probation (i.e. a new user) then you can just put a space in a web address, e.g. put a space after the "www." so instead of "www.bbc.co.uk" instead use "www. bbc.co.uk".

silvio_the_dude

678lcr wrote: »

True, early booking generally means sitting together. This is because the allocation is not random (by the way, Ryanair never claimed this!), but it follows certain rules. I made an analysis of the allocation system they use, and it seems that the seats are allocated row by row from middle to back and front of the cabin (so rows #18, #15, #19, #14, #20, #13...) and on each row from left to right (eg: 18A to 18F). Of course, premium rows are the last ones to be allocated, as they hope to sell them.

Another think I noticed is that they often allocate 2 seats on a new row, when there is only one seat available on the old row. This means that they try not to split people that check-in together. I can't tell though if this is valid only for families (couples or adults+ babies), or also for friends (with different family name) travelling together. Does anybody have any experience with it?

PS: sorry but I'm new and not allowed to put the link to the full analysis I made.

That logic seems to have worked for me as we had consecutive seats allocated.
I am traveling with my girlfriend. We both have different names and nationalities but we are both on the same booking number. We also checked in when half of the seats in the plane were not allocated.

LynS

I've organised a trip to Rome for a party of four - all family members - flying with Ryanair. If it's better to check-in online as early within the seven day window as possible, is it worth my staying up til the early hours of the seventh day prior to departure or would it be seven periods of 24 hours prior to the flight's departure (in which case I wouldn't need to stay awake!)? Or am I being over-anxious (that has been known to happen!)?