Seating types

[Argosy]

I wondered in seating where the seats are faced opposite each other either side of a table what is this arrangement called?

Where seats are in a row facing the back of the seat in front is I appreciate 'airline style' but am unsure of what the alternative is called.

Thanks.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Facing or table.

 

[krus_aragon]

In terms of seat reservations (where the same number is given to seats on opposite sides of a table) they are referred to as (e.g.) 14B and 14F. I've always interpreted this as 'Back' to direction of travel, or 'Facing'. Naturally this can be fun when the train reverses en-route.

 

[swt_passenger]

Bay seating, is another term used.

 

[WatcherZero]

Yes bay too, particularly if theres no table.

 

[jopsuk]

at one time it was just "normal" seating. Started off with compartments with seats facing each other, then open saloons basically retained the compartment layout but stuck the corridor down the middle and removed partitions. The term "airline style" was needed when introduced to differentiate from the "normal".

 

[edwin_m]

In terms of seat reservations (where the same number is given to seats on opposite sides of a table) they are referred to as (e.g.) 14B and 14F. I've always interpreted this as 'Back' to direction of travel, or 'Facing'. Naturally this can be fun when the train reverses en-route.

This was the traditional arrangement, with opposite seats having the same number. I don't think it was ever done for face-to-back seats, referred to as airline and coded "A", so not only did you not get a table you also had a 50% chance of facing backwards!

EMT and possibly other operators have now abandoned this, with all seats just numbered singly. Since the orientation of trains on EMT is essentially random, even with a seating plan you don't even know which way you will be facing.

My late grandmother used to insist on "facing the engine". I think I did try to explain that meant something different on HSTs and 225 sets. She didn't live to see the Voyagers where she would have been lying face down on the floor...

 

[DarloRich]

EMT and possibly other operators have now abandoned this, with all seats just numbered singly. Since the orientation of trains on EMT is essentially random, even with a seating plan you don't even know which way you will be facing.

That seems sensible - far too many people today are confused by a reservation slip that shows, say, Coach E seat 34a and read that as seat 34 in coach A

 

[MCR247]

And also your 13F seat may be forward when the train left its origin, but by the time it gets to you it's now backward, and later on it will be forward again.

 

[edwin_m]

That seems sensible - far too many people today are confused by a reservation slip that shows, say, Coach E seat 34a and read that as seat 34 in coach A

That would indeed be good. Except that EMT uses the "A" suffix on all seats!