Bulkhead seats: pros and cons

First-row cabin seats explained — bassinet notes, foot space, and common surprises.

Bulkhead seats are the first row of a cabin, facing a wall or curtain. Nobody reclines into you, which many travelers love.

Under-seat storage may be limited or unavailable for takeoff and landing. Carry-on often has to go in the overhead sooner.

Some bulkheads have bassinet mounts — quieter for some, busier for others. Check your airline’s family seating notes if that matters.

Tray tables may fold from the armrest. Seat width can feel tighter when armrests contain the table mechanism.

Our editorial scores often boost bulkheads for space and then deduct if they sit next to galleys or lavatories.

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Related guides

• How to read a seat map — A plain-English guide to aisles, exit rows, bulkheads, and cabin codes on Pick Your Row schematics.
• Exit row vs bulkhead: which is better? — Editorial comparison of two popular 'extra space' seat types — and when to avoid each.
• Exit row tips before you select — What exit-row seats usually mean for space, rules, storage, and who should skip them.