A woman who bought a seat in the front row of a plane has revealed that she ended up sitting on the other side, facing the entire cabin and other passengers.
Jess Smith (@jesssmith_36) posted a video on TikTok that has now been viewed 15 million times, in which she films herself gazing out at the crowd with a worried look on her face.
“I booked the first row as a treat and ended up facing the entire plane,” Smith wrote in the video, along with the caption, “I’ll never recover.”
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This seating arrangement may not be as unusual as people think.
In a viral TikTok video, an airline passenger showed the moment he realized he was sitting at the front of the plane, but his seat faced the entire cabin. (iStock)
Zach Griff, senior aviation writer at New York-based travel blog The Points Guys, said several popular airlines sometimes offer such amenities for business-class passengers.
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“In the US, American Airlines and United Airlines are the two airlines that offer rear-facing seats. Rear-facing seats are only available on some of their wide-body (two-aisle) aircraft in business class,” Griff told Fox News Digital in an email.
The video has been viewed more than 15 million times on TikTok and sparked thousands of comments about the unusual seating arrangement. (iStock)
“Internationally, airlines such as Qatar Airways and British Airways offer rear-facing seats in business class. When booking with these airlines, you can see on the seating plan whether your seat is rear-facing or not.”
Currently, 23 of United’s 945 aircraft are equipped with optional rear-facing business class seats, a United representative told Fox News Digital in an email.
Both Griff and a United Airlines representative said customers can check the seating chart to see which seats face forward and which face backward when they buy their tickets and select their seats.
The airline Smith booked with is not revealed in her video.
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Most rear-facing seating options are found on long-haul international flights, but some domestic flights also have rear-facing seating options.
Rear-facing seats are typically reserved for business class passengers on international flights rather than economy class, and tend to offer passengers a more comfortable sleeping experience. (iStock)
Griff said rear-facing seats are very popular among passengers traveling internationally in premium cabins because they tend to provide passengers with a more comfortable sleeping environment.
“When an airplane is cruising, the nose points slightly upward. In a rear-facing seat, you sleep with your head slightly above your feet, which is generally more comfortable. Aviation enthusiasts also prefer rear-facing seats because they offer a great view of the wings and engines. Some travelers also prefer rear-facing seats for the novelty of it all.”
But the luxurious cabin Griff described was different to what Smith actually experienced during the flight.
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Griff said Smith’s video was likely taken on a smaller international airline that offers rear-facing seats in economy class.
“We encourage travelers who are forced to sit in these types of seats to bring an eye mask and also some reading material or other entertainment options to help distract them from a potentially awkward experience.”
“Some smaller regional jets operating around the world are equipped with rear-facing seats. I’ve seen them on short-haul flights within Africa and Greece. These aren’t usually shown on seat maps so smart travellers should check with the airline in advance which seats are rear-facing,” he said.
It seems Smith wasn’t the only one who found the seating arrangement uncomfortable, as social media users quickly jumped into the comments section to share their thoughts.
“Wow… this happened to me once. I had a severe panic attack… my whole body stopped functioning. Then they put me in this seat and everyone was staring at me. It was horrible,” one TikTok user commented.
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“I would seriously get off and ask to cancel my ticket. Anxiety definitely won’t allow it,” another wrote.
TikTok users shared how they would feel if they were in the same position as Smith, who went viral for posting a video of himself in a backwards-facing airplane seat. (iStock)
“If you can survive a flight like this you can survive anything in life,” one person commented.
Many people joked about the flying experience.
“I get out a notepad and stare at each person for a few minutes, then burst out laughing or make an angry face while frantically writing notes. If it’s offensive I’ll go my own way,” one TikTok user wrote.
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“This will be good exposure therapy for my social anxiety,” said another user.
TikTok creators appear to have planted a new fear in travelers who never want to sit facing other passengers at the front of a plane. (iStock)
“I start making a speech or something. ‘So you might be wondering why I’ve gathered you all here today,'” another wrote.
While passengers on airplanes are sometimes willing to give up their seats to make themselves more comfortable, judging by reactions from other TikTok users, no one seems to be willing to give up their seat for Smith.
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“Obviously, sitting backwards in economy class is definitely an awkward experience,” Griff said.
“We encourage travelers who are forced to sit in these types of seats to bring an eye mask and also some reading material or other entertainment options to help distract them from a potentially awkward experience.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Smith, American Airlines and British Airways for comment.
