A guide to the best seats on Bermuda to NYC airlines

FRIDAY, NOV. 09: New York is the one city Bermuda has some choice as to which airport to fly into.

There are several factors to consider when choosing between American or JetBlue out of JFK or United’s Newark one. Price is always a consideration as well as what time the plane lands or leaves. The location of the airport could make a difference as well when determining which one to choose. I can remember flying into JFK for a trip and taking a taxi to my hotel, which was located just across the freeway from LaGuardia. Cab fare can be an expensive add-on if you choose one flight over another because it initially starts off cheaper.

The other factor, one which I haven’t given much consideration too until recently, are the seats.

American operates a Boeing 737-800 on its New York-Bermuda flights. There are 16 first class seats and 144 economy class.

According to Seatguru.com, the only poor seats are Row 13 and Row 14 A and F. Row 13 has limited recline and the view from the window is tarnished because of the engine. Seats 14 A and F have no recline, but more leg room and because it’s in the exit room there’s a bit of a draft.

The best seats in the house? Row 15 has great legroom but be wary that 15 A and F will get a bit of a draft because its in the exit row. Extra amenities include a baby changer at the back of the aircraft and shared power ports in economy class. The first class seats have 40 inches of legroom and are 21 inches wide while economy have 31 inches of legroom and are 17.2 inches wide.  Most days JetBlue operates the Embraer ERJ-190 to Bermuda. There is no first class seating but does offer ‘Even more space seating’ in Rows 1 and 12-14 (eight seats). These rows have 38 inches of legroom compared to the 33 inches for Rows 2 through 11 (Rows 15 to 25 only have 32 inches of pitch).  All the 100 seats are 18 inches wide.

The baby changing stations are in the bathrooms and each seat has its own TV so you can watch what you want as opposed to on the American flight which has overhead televisions.

United flies a Boeing 737-700 V1 and offers three class of seats.

It has 12 First Class seats with 38 inches of legroom and are 21 inches wide; then there are an additional 40 economy plus seats, which you’ll get 35 inches of legroom and are 17.2 inches wide.

Finally, for those not paying for the economy upgrade, the other 60 seats have 21 inches of legroom (the least amount of the New York flights) and are 17.2 inches wide.  While most people tend to avoid the last row anyway because the seats do not recline, on this flight, these seats (Row 32) are even narrower making it more of a tight fit if you are a bigger person.  The only other seats to be aware of is Row 10 A and F. Seatguru warns there are no windows in this row, so you’ll be disappointed if you purchase this one expecting one.  If you are looking for extra legroom in economy plus, try Row 7. With first class the row before it, you’ll get more than your 35 inches.

For first class passengers you’ll want to avoid Row 1 E-f and Row 3. The latter has limited legroom because the bulkhead is behind it but Row E-F also has limited legroom and no storage underneath it.

United has personal TVs for each seat and the baby changing facilities are in the restrooms.