Overview
- Mainstream outlets republished a TikTok video from Laurie (travelby_laurie) on Friday, May 22, 2026, in which she advised passengers not to book the very last row or the row immediately ahead of an exit row.
- Laurie says those seats often cannot recline because of evacuation rules that keep seatbacks from blocking aisles, which reduces comfort on longer flights.
- She also noted practical drawbacks of rear seats such as proximity to lavatories and galleys, stronger turbulence felt at the back, and being among the last to deplane which can jeopardize tight connections.
- The coverage makes clear that aircraft layouts and airline policies vary, so the impact on recline, noise and deplaning order depends on the specific plane model and carrier.
- Travelers are advised to check seat maps and airline minimum connection times before booking because choosing a different row can improve comfort and reduce the chance of missing a connection.