Writer - Patricia joins Simple Flying with over 20 years of experience in aviation. She has served as cabin crew on flights from economy-class through to first-class and on private jets as well as being head of cabin crew and cabin safety focal point. Patricia has a master's level postgraduate diploma in Human Factors in Aviation and has written about aviation since 2010. Based in Dubai/Cyprus.
Choosing your seat on your flight can make or break your whole trip. Most people have a preference for the window or aisle seat. Everyone hates the middle seat, that's for sure. It is a very subjective topic, and most frequent flyers will have their own personal preference that they try to book every time they fly.
Those who fly only occasionally may not think much about it, especially if flying on low-cost airlines, where choosing a seat may not be an option. So, what are the best seats to choose in economy class? It really depends on what the individual prioritizes.
Some people prefer extra legroom, others prefer not to be disturbed. There may also be advantages and disadvantages that passengers may not think about, but a flight attendant would know when traveling as a passenger. What do flight attendants say about the best seats to sit in on an airplane? Let's find out!
Personal Space
Personal space is very important, especially in a time when airlines have tried to cram in as many seats as possible. There is so little space in many economy seats these days, often made worse by passengers reclining their seats. Of course, in an ideal world, we would all book business class seats for personal comfort and space, though this isn't an option for many of us.
If traveling long-haul, it is worth considering premium economy for extra seat pitch, more legroom, and some additional items like amenity kits and better food and drinks. Flight attendants in this Southern Living article suggest that when traveling as a passenger, they prefer exit row window seats, like 21A or 21F on narrowbody aircraft. Of course, they are the ideal passengers to have in an exit row as they can operate the emergency exit if needed.
Also, seats like 6A or 6F in the front row of economy, which have a bit more space, are good for quick boarding and disembarking. For personal space in economy, the exit row seats and bulkhead seats are the go-to. The downside is that airlines charge more for these seats, but if it's within your budget, it might be worth it for the extra legroom.
The other option is to book seats at the rear of the economy cabin. Airlines assign seats from the front of the aircraft, so if the aircraft does not have a 'full load,' there may be some spare seats at the rear or even a row of seats that can be used for sleeping. As a courtesy, it is nice to ask the flight attendants if that's alright with them.
Convenience
If convenience is a priority for you as a passenger, the aisle seat is probably the better option. This allows passengers to go to the galley or lavatory as needed or to stretch their legs without disturbing anyone. The disadvantages of sitting on the aisle are that you may be asked to move when other passengers in your row need to go to the lavatory or galley.
If you try to stretch your legs into the aisle, you have to be careful, as flight attendants cannot always see your feet when moving the cart during service, and you may get hit if not careful. Many people prefer the window seat to the aisle because it feels a bit more private, and there is a view.
It is very much down to the individual and where they feel comfortable. Some people do have strategies when booking seats to obtain more space, like two people traveling together in a 3-3 seating configuration, booking the aisle and window seats in a row at the rear, hoping the middle seat is free.
As for convenience during service, sitting at the very front of economy class ensures you get your meal choice. The bar service and meal service start from the front mostly, so food and drinks are received earlier. Sitting at the very back of larger aircraft types and long-haul aircraft will often achieve the same results as the service starts from both the front and back, depending on the airline's service style.
Exit Row Seats
The exit row window is a favorite seat for many flight attendants while traveling and not on duty. There is extra legroom and a wall to lean on to try to get more rest. Away from the aisle, it is slightly quieter and, of course, the window offers an unobscured view. However, it may be a slightly cooler area. It is important to note that on some airlines, no baggage can be stored under the seat in front.
Instead, it has to be stored in the overhead locker. The emergency exit rows and the one or two forward rows do not recline, so as not to obstruct the exit rows in an emergency. These seats also have an additional feature that stops the tray tables from falling down during an emergency evacuation. There are certain conditions that must be met for safety reasons for people seated in exit rows.
The ground staff will allocate seats accordingly, but if they miss these, flight attendants can reseat a passenger. These can include any person who might impede an emergency evacuation, for example, children, an obese person, a person with an infant, or persons with reduced mobility.
If seated in an exit row, you will most likely be briefed by a crew member. They will ask you to read the instructions on the emergency exit and show how it is operated. The person must speak the native language of the crew onboard, be physically able to lift the exit out (depending on aircraft type), and be willing to help in an emergency evacuation. If the passenger does not meet the brief, they can be reseated elsewhere.
Bulkhead Seats
Bulkhead seats are the ones in the first row of a section of the cabin, located behind a dividing wall, usually close to a galley or the lavatories. On some long-haul twin-aisle aircraft, there are bulkhead rows opposite a crew member's seat and next to an emergency exit. These rows have no storage space under the seat, and all items must be stored in an overhead locker, although they do have much more legroom.
If the ability to recline your seat is a priority, the last rows of seats against the bulkheads, often at the lavatories or galleys, do not recline. Also, these seats and the bulkhead areas may be noisier due to galley preparations, lavatory noise, and prone to passenger and crew traffic. If sleeping during your flight is a priority, these seats would not be ideal, and your rest may be disturbed.
Bulkhead seats are often reserved for bassinets for babies to sleep during the flight. So once again, they are not an ideal seat for everybody and may be noisier. They might not be convenient for some, as the tray tables are in the armrests and the inflight entertainment system is often stowed within the armrest space and cannot be used until the seatbelt sign is switched off.
Connecting & Long Haul Flights
Of course, when traveling long haul, comfort is everything. It is important to confirm which aircraft type you are traveling on and check seat plans on the airline's website. If the window seat is a priority, make sure that the seat actually has a window. On some aircraft types and configurations, there may be some rows with no window seats.
Many business class seats are in a herringbone configuration, which, again, may affect the position on the window. Business class seats are better in the center of the business class cabin due to possible noise from the galley. If you have connecting flights, time is often of the essence, so it is a good idea to be seated as near to the front of the aircraft as possible to disembark quickly.
Some airlines disembark from the rear of the aircraft as well as the front, so that may work for some passengers. If in doubt, it is always better to plan a seat near the front of the aircraft, especially if the connection time is short. Turbulence and fear of flying affect many people, and often, people ask where the best place is to sit.
It is better to sit towards the middle as this is where the aircraft's center of gravity lies. There is less motion there than at the rear of the aircraft. It is also a good place to gain a stable visual point, especially if seated on the aisle. The emergency exit signs in the center of the aisles close to the roof are good visual points during turbulence. Of course, it is important to keep your seatbelt on at all times.
The Best Seat?
All in all, the best seat on an airplane is a personal choice based on what you prioritize during the flight. Once that is determined, choosing the most comfortable seat becomes easier. Do some research and check out the aircraft seat map to find your ideal seat. Also, it may be worth looking at upgrading a class with points or bidding for an upgrade, or looking for a last-minute deal.
Also, if a window seat is a priority, check that it actually has a window, as some aircraft have blank spots. Some airlines have upgraded their seating in recent years to align with customer demand. Business class seats have become suites with lie-flat beds, and the demand for premium economy seats has been huge, with airlines finding that passengers are willing to pay that little extra for more comfort onboard long-haul flights.
Personal space and comfort have also become all the more important. Many people prefer the exit rows, but they must be willing to help in an emergency, and there are certain conditions that must be met. Window seats are always a favorite for the views outside. Whatever your preference, if you're flying long-haul, always book in advance to make sure you get your seat of choice.