How to exit an Easyjet flight quickly?

Z36r4f15h

I've booked an easyjet flight that lands in Manchester Terminal 1 about 40 minutes before my connecting train (the last of the night), so I'm trying to minimise time on the arrivals end. Therefore I'd rather not lose time by being forced to check (or gate-check) a bag.

Two questions:

1. With a standard seat, if I just bring a backpack, can I avoid checking it by just stuffing it under the seat in front of me? I know that some 'extras' entitle people to bring an under-seat bag in addition to an overhead bag, but I don't see any information on whether or not standard seats actually have under-seat space. Would I be able to use this space, or did Easyjet just completely remove it (perhaps charging other passengers to stow their bags under your feet--I would not be surprised)?
2. Would paying a few quid for a seat closer to the front or back ensure me more time to connect (still cheaper than a hotel), or would I still have to wait for a bus from the plane to the terminal?

Thanks!

J_B

In our experience ...


As long as your hand luggage is within the EJ limits, it will fit easily in the overhead lockers.


The seats at the front are usually occupied by people who have paid for the privilege - they usually have speedy boarding to ensure they can find room in the overhead lockers.


We've never taken 'pot luck' with seats as Mrs B prefers to sit where she does


If your only desire is to be first off then pick an aisle seat at the very back of the plane.
Just hope that it's not one of those days when they don't use the rear steps!!

Try to be at the front of the queue when you board to ensure your bag is where you can easily grab it.
We have never been 'bussed' to the terminal, just a short walk to the terminal then a long walk through the terminal and a long wait at passport control.


I'm not sure but 40 minutes soon passes - I've never caught a train, don't even know where the station is sorry.


HTH

tryin

Unless the plane is very delayed you will make it easily. The station is a few minutes walk. Never had to que by passport control either.

Its good to know that train tickets from manchester airport are guaranteed. If your plane is delayed and you miss the train, just go to ticket office and they will give you ticket for a later train. (Obviously this is irrelevant for OP who has the last train).

eDicky

1. The space under the seat in front of you is always yours, for your legs and/or bag if it will fit. So it depends on the size of your backpack. If it's obviously too big and must go in an overhead bin, on a full flight (and without paying for extras) it could be gate-checked into the hold if you're one of the last to board,

2. Sorry I'm not familiar with MAN, whether steps to front and rear exits are used for easyJet, or a ramp into the terminal which gives front seats quicker disembarkation.

flea72

Seat at the front for speedy exit, they dont always open the rear door

bradders1983

Never had to take a bus with Easyjet at Manchester T1 on arrival back, however they always use the original pier at T1 (gates 1 through 15) so its a walk into the terminal (they never use an airbridge on that pier, not that there are many anyway) and then up and over and down to security.

Again, siting at the front is the obvious suggestion which has already been made. Back doors more likely to be opened if you arent returning on the last plane movement of the day, I would say. Given you mention "last train" in your OP I assume you are getting in late at night so it will be the last trip that plane does that day.

peachyprice

As near to the front as possible, never the back, if they don't use the rear steps, which is quite often, you're stuffed.

No, they don't take your under seat space away for other people, would you leave your bag somewhere where anyone could rummage through it?

It's unlikely they'll take your backpack off you if the flight is full, they usually only ask for cases and will pick cases rather than soft bags out of the line if there are not enough volunteers.

soolin

Agreed, sit as close to the front as you can, people seem to peel off from the front to disembark even when they have to faff about getting cases down or putting coats on. We travelled on Wednesday , row 8 and had disembarked well within 5 minutes of door being opened.

Make sure your bag fits the size requirement. I came out of a different airport to yours but at Gatwick they were being very very hard with sizes, there were a team of extra staff going round checking and Charging people whose cases or rucksacks didn't entirely fit in the size gauge thing. Those cases were then put in the hold , I've never seen the overhead lockers so empty on a completely full flight!

Z36r4f15h

Thanks everyone for the great advice. I've paid an extra £9 for a seat in the 7th row, so I can make it through the front exit quickly, and will travel just with an under-seat-sized soft backpack, to ensure I won't need to wait for that.

Ganga

soolin wrote: »

Agreed, sit as close to the front as you can, people seem to peel off from the front to disembark even when they have to faff about getting cases down or putting coats on. We travelled on Wednesday , row 8 and had disembarked well within 5 minutes of door being opened.

Make sure your bag fits the size requirement. I came out of a different airport to yours but at Gatwick they were being very very hard with sizes, there were a team of extra staff going round checking and Charging people whose cases or rucksacks didn't entirely fit in the size gauge thing. Those cases were then put in the hold , I've never seen the overhead lockers so empty on a completely full flight!

Good news as people seem to be getting away with taking bigger and bigger hand luggage on to planes these days,strange that people will pay a reasonable amount for flights,hotel accomadation and food and drinks abroad but scrimp on luggage costs.

soolin

Ganga wrote: »

Good news as people seem to be getting away with taking bigger and bigger hand luggage on to planes these days,strange that people will pay a reasonable amount for flights,hotel accomadation and food and drinks abroad but scrimp on luggage costs.

We usually board quite late as we carry minimal hand luggage and so could see what was going on. At a rough guess it was as many as 1 in 5 that were being told their bags were over sized.