Picking the perfect airplane seat can be a headache, but, fortunately, we’re here to help!
Of course, we all know that sitting up front is going to get you off the plane faster (except for that time I flew to Owensboro, Kentucky, and they had us deplane through the BACK door — jokes on you, seat 1A!). And NO ONE wants to sit across from the bathroom door (IYKYK). But is there really a method to choosing the “right” airplane seat?
We decided we needed a deep dive here. So, on our Facebook page, we asked a huge group of travelers — YOU — how you choose the right seat on an airplane! OK, fasten your seatbelts…
Evaluate Prices
Perhaps the most important tip is to pick your seats based on your budget and what’s available.
Not all seats are priced equally, so be ready to choose based on your budget. Take into account what’s available to you at your time of booking. And if you’re lucky enough to board a flight with open seating, most airlines offer a way to pay to be one of the first groups to board the plane. If you’re picky about your seat, you probably want to pay for a preferred spot in the boarding process.
Be Realistic About Your Bathroom Needs
The significance of choosing a seat evolves based on the duration of your flight. If you’re on a puddle-jumper for an hour or less, it simply doesn’t compare to the seat needs you’ll have on a cross-country or international flight.
Those needs include bathroom visits. If you naturally go frequently, grab an aisle seat. It’s better to simply get up and use the restroom versus climbing over other passengers and constantly asking to be pardoned.
And please keep this in mind if you’re traveling with young children. You KNOW when they’re bored and tired of sitting still, their already small bladders will shrink to the size of a grain of sand, and they’ll be asking to get up and go every 45 minutes. Please don’t give them the window seat and then ask the person on the aisle to unfasten their seatbelt 7 times on the flight for you — I promise, they will not like you by the end of this adventure.
As our Facebook follower Katherine Ferraro told us, “I generally don’t get out of my seat during the flight. I hate having to get up and move out of the way if someone needs to get past me.”
Be Realistic About Your Height
Being tall comes with a lot of perks, but it can be a pain when traveling in an airplane. A lack of legroom and space can really hurt the flying experience.
If you are vertically gifted, again, consider grabbing an aisle seat or an emergency exit row. These seating options provide you with the most legroom and can provide way more comfort than middle or window seats. You should know, though, that you will probably pay extra for an emergency exit row or for an “extra legroom” seat. Even our more vertically challenged team members feel cramped in most airplane seats.
Deb Smith Gallo said on Facebook that she used to want a window, but ever since she fractured her knee, it’s all aisle for her! And not just any aisle seat will do — gotta think about WHICH leg will be in the aisle. “I need to stretch my leg so I’m a left side aisle girl.”
And one more note about emergency exit row seats. You have to be able to open the door and assist passengers if you sit there — and we should all take that seriously in case of an emergency. It it’s not something you can handle, you should sit elsewhere — even though that extra room is tempting.
Consider The Views You Might See
Whether you’re flying at night or during the day, you might fly over some really scenic spots on the way to your destination.
If the weather permits, you could have clear views of scenic beauty, famous landmarks, and brilliant lights. If your goal is to take some awesome pictures or grab plenty of mental snapshots, then you’ll want to target a window seat when booking your airfare.
But Danielle Marie told us on Facebook that it’s not the views that make her choose the window! “I’m team window. Not necessarily for the views, but because if I’ve got an early morning flight, I can lean up against the wall and sleep.”
Anna Hanyo Rogers left a Facebook comment sayins she agrees — “Window to lean my head against to sleep.”
And Facebook follower Laura Hood definitely takes the views out the window into consideration when choosing her seat. She doesn’t want the window, though! “I’m afraid of heights.”
Take Into Account Your Motion Tolerance
Flying on a plane is not like riding a roller coaster. It’s not designed to give you that thrilling pit in your stomach. With that said, when it comes to motion, not all seats are equal.
The back of the plane usually experiences more turbulence and motion, so if you’re prone to motion sickness, try to sit more toward the front. Another downside with the back of the plane is that you’re also let off last.
Greg S. Kauriga said in a Facebook comment that he tries to sit “as close to the front as possible.”
And Facebook follower Joe Hersey says it’s not motion sickness attracting him to those seats in the front — it’s a swifter exit, “to get started on an awesome day at Disney World.”
But wait — we’ve got one more expert opinion to share! Jeanette Smith says choosing NO SEAT is best. “I hate flying. That is why I’m driving in from Texas. LOL!”
What are some of your best tips when it comes to picking the best airplane seat? Let us know, and continue to follow us here at AllEars for all sorts of travel tips.
Women Who Travel Alone Are Sharing The Safety Tips They Swear By
Share your best flight seat tips in the comments below!
If you are traveling with 1 other person on a plane that has rows with 3 seats choose an empty row and book 1 person on the aisle and the other in the window seat. If the flight isn’t full many people won’t want to book a seat between 2 other people possibly giving you more room. If someone does book the middle seat you have the choice of one of the people in your party to swap seats if you would like to sit next to each other.
Handicapped seating on trips with plane changes?