Bulk of Discomfort

I’m not sure I understand why The Times continues to make the assertion that so-called “bulkhead” seats are supposedly the “most desirable seats on any airplane” (“The Straight and Narrow of International Airline Seats,” July 19). My experience tells me these are generally the worst seats.

Since the tray table is located in the armrest, you can’t lift it up. Since the armrest extends almost the full depth of the seat to accommodate the tray table, you lose a valuable inch or two of width on each side of you, most notably at the edge of the seat, where non-bulkhead seat passengers can spread their legs a few inches more. Bulkhead seats are almost always located next to busy restrooms. Bassinets are in this area, so you will be assured of being seated next to several crying babies. The in-flight movie usually can’t be seen from side bulkhead seats.

There is no under-seat storage. On some planes, the partitions in front of these bulkhead seats go all the way down to the floor, giving you even less legroom than an ordinary seat.

JAMES FUHRMAN

West Hollywood