Me too! I hate having to climb over strangers to get out. I’d rather get up and let someone out, and you get a little more sense of personal space with an aisle next to you. Also, if I’m needing the bathroom more often, it’s embarrassing to keep drawing attention to it by disturbing others
Even when you're finally heavily sleeping and dreaming? No, thanks, I love being able to lean against the window and having left arm space that is 100% mine.
Personally I love the exit row seats over the wing. Aside from the extra room, you’re guaranteed not to be seated next to young kids. I also prefer colder temperatures so that’s a plus for me.
The extra leg room of the emergency exit row means that you can have a window seat without your access being restricted by the passengers next to you. Even if the neighbouring passengers are very tall, it’s still possible to step over their extended legs without difficulty. That isn’t the case in other rows.
As a 5,7’’ woman, I’m never going back to a regular seat, I’ll pay the extra for the row seats next to the doors forever. It’s true the rest sucks and more people are about, but the feeling of fully stretching your legs is unmatched to anything else that sucks 😅
I also loved the exit row seats although I am just a shorty. But you get so much more space. Unfortunately I got a disability and now I am no longer allowed to sit there because they think I cannot help others in case of an emergency 😢
When traveling as 2 people, I try to reserve the aisle and window seat, leaving the middle seat unreserved. If the plane isn't full, then often the middle seat will remain empty as nobody wants to choose a seat between 2 reserved seats. If the plane is full, then whoever ends up in the middle seat is always happy to switch to either aisle or window to let us sit together. It's a gamble that sometimes pays off and rarely is worse.
This. The middle seat passenger is usually happy and relieved to be offered the window, and not be stuck between two people. I'm personally very inconsistent in that strategy, but it's paid off before. My goal is usually the middle section when one exists.
Absolutely......... My wife likes the aisle seat for restroom visits but I can sit through an eight hour flight without moving. Last flight to America on a three three plane we booked aisle and middle and on both flights and found the window seat taken each time. Looking around though, we did see several couples with empty seats in the middle........
@@ahwhite2022 Id, rather the window, never liked the middle, not interested in bathroom runs, unless a got diarrhea, from the time i before boarding, i already did my dumping home Or at the aiport, never used a airplane rest room, in my 40 years flying back and fort!!
Great tips! I see I have been doing everything right, as my years of flying seem to naturally have brought me to the same conclusion of where the best seats are. Another seat to be careful about is in the back of the plane, where it gets narrower. In some planes, the rows change from four to three seats in the middle or from three to two seats on the sides (or both). What, on first inspection, sounds great because there are fewer people next to you, often means that the screen in front of you and the tray table are misaligned with your seat. Only being able to watch movies by staring diagonally onto your screen (which leads to more reflections) or by leaning over gets exhausting fast.
I like the bulkhead seats. Yes the armrest doesn’t fold up because it is anchored to the the divider between you and whomever thunder thigh passenger might otherwise expand into your seat space. I don’t need my carry-on accessible during the flight. Everything I need during the flight fits in my pocket. Having my carry-on overhead gives me more footroom. My disageeing with her on certain points doesn’t make her wrong. It just illustrates that different passengers have different needs. You just have to find what works for you.
I totally agree!!!!! As I had the window seat, I was able to stand between the seat and the window so as not to interfere with my wife. I stood a lot as the 747 seats are terrible.
This is what we did. Unfortunately, my wife frequently becomes motion sick and I struggle to sleep. It was a 10 hour nightmare that wouldn't end, but no fault of the seat location. The return flight was during the day and we fared much better.
I was seated on a Westjet flight to Mexico in the days when it was a great airline and realized there was a cat in a cage next to me. Being allergic I spoke with the flight attendent who informend me I was in "the cat section" as they tended to seat them together to minimize problems. I was moved to the very rear of the aircraft but was continually offered free food and drinks by the very nice FA.
I recently flew from Frankfurt to San Francisco in one of the exit row seats, which also happened to be next to the restroom. I admit that it was occasionally annoying when people would gather in front of my seat while waiting to use the restroom, I’m 6 feet tall and the leg room was absolutely worth it. And honestly, I didn’t notice any foul odors.
@@n1cktast1c34 Agreed but most planes have just economy, eco plus, then straight to 1st . I just booked united and paid 119 extra for eco plus I thought that was for the whole round trip. No; that was just one of the flights. I'm not overly thrilled with United lately I'll use up my miles and then switch to Delta.
On a 10 hour flight to and from London I sat aisle seat center section just in front of the wings on a 777 and like you said the center passenger seldom came my direction to get up because the lady to her right was far smaller and probably less intimidating than I was. I've flown hundreds of times and definitely recommend it.
Thank you, Megan! I really appreciate your breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each seat. In my overseas traveling, I’ve usually gone with a group that had pre-purchased seats, so i often had little choice. By the time things were settled to the point where i could change my seat assignment, the good ones were usually gone. Because of my age and medical conditions, it’s highly unlikely that I’ll be flying in such big planes again. But even when a passenger can choose the optimal seat, there’s always a good chance that you’ll be seated next to a drunk (i have been), a grossly obese person who occupies a good half of your own seat, a family with squirming kids, or a kid behind you who kicks the back of your seat for the whole flight. And these days parents are not usually going to tell their kid to stop. The flying experience has for quite a while been bifurcated into ultra-luxury for those who can afford it, and cattle-car discomfort for those flying economy.
An aisle seat in economy on the left side of the airplane has always been my choice on the long 15 hour+ flights. Until now. I'm in the 2nd half of my 70ts and my next flight will be business class. No need to save anymore at the final phase of my life.
For me aisle seat is still most advantage. In the past beginning first or second time when I started to travel by airplane in the aisle seat, I used to stand up/out to let passengers to get into their window and middle seat but after I had discovered that I did not have to stand up/out from my seat any more instead I just turn myself with the seat belt under the arm seat on to the side facing aisle and the other passengers could easily walk into their seats without complaint since I am a thin and slim body person type. If those who were/are overweight and big body size may not be able to do this way.
On my last trip on United, I had to pay extra in Economy to choose any seat. I chose aisle seats and had to justify the extra expense to the manager. One disadvantage of the aisle seat is the underseat space is significantly narrower than the middle and window seats. One time my backpack was too wide with the exterior side pockets full to fit in front, I had to take out the water bottle. Later I bought a smaller backpack without side pockets.
Window seat on the north side of the plane, ideally in a 1 or 2 configuration. I love looking out the window. [I also set my video screen to the flight tracker.] I run warm, so a cooler seat is better. I'll bring a light sweater just in case. I can minimize me restroom trips. I'll go when my row-mate does so they only need to get up for me once. I will pay extra for my seat, real food and drink, checked baggage and all-around better service. Domestic first class or better.
One time I was returning from Rome and we were some of the first to board. The entire plane was almost empty, except for one woman sitting in my seat! 😡 I had paid extra for me and my husband to sit on the aisle across from one another. The flight attendant tried to talk me into another seat beside him but I stood my ground ( she did NOT offer me a free ticket). The woman finally slid over to sit in the middle seat where she was assigned. I found out later that an entire flight to O’Hare had been cancelled and they had to find flights for the passengers.
it's all a matter of perspective. one of my long haul flights was in the entrance row, at the bulkhead behind the bathroom. the tray table and screen being in the armrest was a small price to pay for being able to get up straight out of the seat, and comfortably stretch my legs. I do wish I'd known in advance that there was no underseat storage, and that my carryon would be in a bin away from the seats, but that wasn't a major issue for me, either. and my wife prefers seats conveniently close to the bathroom, for any long flight.
6'5" 270 lb man here, I always take the exit row window seat if I can. I dress warm with a hooded sweater. If there are extra seats on the plane, there is a good chance that the middle seat beside you will be empty. I can't believe the government had to regulate no charge seats for parents with
@@653j521they always used to be free except different classes If you checked in early, you could state a preference and they'd accommodate. They used to ask window or aisle. Now they don't seem to ask tho to be fair I'm usually on different south American airlines and my Spanish may not be up to that discussion. I do notice I'm given selection option when I did an online check-in but the good seats were extra charges and since they are always two flight trips you pay extra each flight, but the flights were only two hours each so it's not worth it
Been feeling antsy all day because I'm about to hop on my first ever international flight. While going through different videos, I stumbled upon your channel and have to say it's a lifesaver..! This video is exactly what I've been looking for, and the point at 7:58 is so important! Plus, I saw you posted this just a day ago?! Such a pleasure to discover your channel! I love your work, the video is very well made. I'm already a subscriber..!
I prefer a window seat towards the rear. I live near the middle of the country in Dallas/Ft. Worth, so most CONUS flights for me are 3 1/2 hours or less. That makes bathroom breaks a lesser issue. I can usually get settled before most others are back there and there is plenty of overhead storage remaining. More chance of finding the middle seat empty. Deplaning last isn't normally an issue: I travel with tools, so have to wait for baggage claim anyway. And I am behind the wing, so have a good view. When I went gold with AA, I chose a seat toward the front and regretted it. Some of the seats the airline labels as "paid preferential" are not clear to me why they are "preferential" because I don't want them, certainly not at extra expense.
I stay in Premium Economy bulkhead seats and love them. They have always let me bring my bag down during the flight. It only needs to be stored during landing and takeoff. And because we pick the 2 seats on either side, no one is walking between us. I can't imagine flying any other way The huge benefit for me, no one is putting their seat back into my face. Anytime I have to fly in any other seat, I get the person who feels it necessary to put their seat back making me feel very compressed.
I think all seats should be locked. It's really unfortunate that a person in front of you can ruin your trip because they aren't considerate. It affects your viewing screen, your table, can jostle your drink and make it near impossible to leave your seat by blocking your ability to stand up. Obviously I have to jostle them by holding onto the back of their seat to get up and down 😅
We did Premium Economy bulkhead last year, and the legroom was gigantic. However, I did not like taking the TV out from the side. This next trip, we are going in the next row behind, and we will pay attention to how close the seat back in front of us is. We might choose a bulkhead on the return!
@@grantw7 How was it? I have a long haul on KLM in 3 months and picked aisle bulkhead in premium economy. The aisle seats in Premium are still available but I'm wondering about the seat in front when reclined.
@@Valarmorgolis, STAY in your bulkhead seat!!!!! On most of my trips, the person in front does not tilt their seat, but on my trip in September, the guy in front of me tilted his all the way back, and I was surprised how little room I then had. I had to ask him to tilt forward to get out of my seat. I will always choose bulkhead seating, if available, in the future.
@@grantw7 Excellent, thanks for the reply. The recline is more on the KLM and was concerned about the seat ahead hitting my knees and the occasion they don't sit up right for meals.
I personally like the last row seats because on some airlines, the flight attendants realize they are not very desirable and several times I've gotten extra snacks and free drinks. Alcohol included. 😊
Hi Megan. I fly Southwest Airlines domestically, and I usually get A or low B, so I chose somewhere in the back half of the plane. Lately, I’ve been flying PAL internationally to Bangkok then the overnight train to Chiangmai , so I don’t have to worry about the plane being late to Bangkok and I don’t have to pay for 2 checked bags at 23 kilos apiece on the plane to Chiangmai. PAL charges for seats in the front half, and for aisle seats throughout the plane. For my trip in October, I chose a window seat 5 rows from the back. The aisle seat had already been chosen. I can’t imagine anyone choosing the middle seat, unless it is a full flight. At online checking time, I’ll check the seat chart again and move if I need to.
Everything you said made sense and was informative. But l'lI do the aisle on the left side and as close to the front as I can get, b/c that's usually the side that everyone exits the plane, so if you move with swiftness and grace and you only do carry -on you can often be the first person off the plane, and out of the airport And if you're on a bigger plane with the center section, often the right row exits slower b/c the people on the left side have a "right of way"
I always choose a seat at the rear of the plane on the aisle! Will be going to SoCal in September for a week and a half to visit relatives and will keep your suggestions in mind, Megan! I love your TH-cam channel!!
After checking out business/first class on an overseas trip several years ago, I rarely fly economy, premium economy, or recession-proof economy. BUT on this trip from Los Angeles to Toronto, I picked the exit row aisle seat (something I've done before, and the first time I found out that it can get cold) as I don't want a window seat where I have to step over someone to get food or have food passed to me by the FA, or an aisle seat where I have to get up when my window neighbor has to go to the restroom. So I chose the exit row aisle seat. I love your graph and your explanation about not sitting in the bulkhead or around changing areas or the restroom is duly noted. Subscribed!
I ALWAYS get a window seat. You control the shade up or down, you can lean against it to rest or sleep, you can look out at the scenery, if there is anything interesting and you don't have to move, if someone wants to get up for the bathroom. You can just lean to the side and look out the window, and not worry about anything else. If you are someone who gets up to go to the bathroom a lot, then get an aisle seat I guess. Middle seat should be avoided at all costs lol.
I’ve always loved window seats, as I like to look out of the window. But my most recent long-haul was an experience enough to get me to switch to being an aisle-seat fan. I was seated in a window seat next to a person who slept the entire flight, and would not move to let me out even when I woke her to ask her to let me out. She made me climb over her. I can’t sleep hardly at all on airplanes so it wasn’t pleasant. I’d really rather have been in the aisle seat and let her sleep in the window seat!
Great video Megan! I was recently seated in the exit/bulkhead row on a non-stop Delta flight from JFK to Athens-a last minute situation over which I had very few options. It wasn’t my favorite seat of all times but certainly beat the middle seat on SW years ago. NEVER. AGAIN.
Great tips as ever, but only from a solo traveller's perspective, of course - all sorts of other considerations come into play if you're travelling as a couple or with kids. For instance, when travelling long-haul as a couple these days on a plane with either a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration (2-4-2 being less common), we always try to book one of the half-a-dozen or fewer pairs of seats at the back of the aircraft if there are any, as then we have no one next to us and there also tends to be a little more room for underseat bags, pillows, blankets, etc. Sure, you're closer to the toilets and/or galley, and the rear of the plane can be cooler (and sometimes with fewer overhead bins), but we find that only having each other to sit next to on an up to 12-hour flight makes for a much more pleasant experience than being stuck next to someone else a little further up the cabin - where it's hardly all that warmer or less noisy anyway.
For LONG gruelling flights, such as Seattle to Bangkok and... especially... back. Middle aisle, right side (being right handed). Yes, having done this a few times now, in various seat locations, this really DOES seem to make sense. ...though I'd not previously thought it through as you explained it. Thanks.
Most of that was good analysis, but some of it was just pure personal preference. I personally would choose a middle exit row, even near a bathroom if I have to, over pretty much any other standard legroom seat. I absolutely need the legroom over all else. One can always manage temperatures by planning ahead when packing. At the same time, this 'benefit' of putting your arm into the aisle I've found to be just horrible with it getting hit non-stop even sticking out just an inch.
Thank you for your time and posting. Halfway through, I was hoping you were going to cross out every seat. :) If it's a US carrier, I would have. I've been in a lot of sucky situations. What I've learned is, that time never stops, and that sucky situation will end sooner or later. For me to pay hundreds of dollars more for a seat when it only lasts several hours, I'll suffer... As I say that sitting at home. :)
I am a massive fan of exit rows and don’t necessarily agree with your assessment. It is important to note that you want to get the last row for double exit rows since those seats do recline, and you will have additional legroom.
I'm impressed how you explained your logic for each seat decision. As a seasoned traveler (90 countries) who always thinks about how I can better optimize my travel choices, I learned a few things from your helpful video. I check is FlightAware to see on what side the sun will be hitting the plane throughout the flight. Since I often prefer window seats, it's much more comfortable to be on the shaded side of the plane. I still enjoy gazing out the window, and not having the hot, glaring sun on my body or in my eyes makes for a more comfortable experience.
Bulkhead seats for us. Nobody reclining into our space. Leg room for 6’5 husband. Worth every penny. Easy access to overhead bin as we are first in section.
It really depends on the bulkhead. I’m also 6’5” and find that some bulkheads have less leg room if it goes all the way to the floor, resulting in less room for my size 14 feet, than if I could put them under the seat in front of me. I find the best option is an exit row, as you get more leg room and the seat in front of you can’t recline into your knees.
I flew SFO to ANC on United. It was four hours and the leg room and I swear the seat was smaller than normal. I’m 5’5” and my poor husband is 6’4”. Then we flew home Vancouver to SFO and got an upgrade to first! Not together but 🤷🏼♀️. I was in row 1 so no underwear storage but there was a side pocket for my iPad. And the flight was only 2 hours anyway.
I agree generally with you. However, I select an aisle seat that has the aisle to my left, so I can better hear the personnel, as I am deaf in the right ear. That sometimes means I have to take the right section of the plane, which you find is less ideal. Bur for those who have no differential hearing problems, a great video.
I read one opinion that the back rows are better on long haul as they are the rows that it is possible there is no one else. Most people want to sit further forward to get off more quickly. I have no experience with this, but it seems to have some merit. I plan to go to NZ next year so I am trying to figure out what can make it as bearable as possible.
There’s a few things online that show you the best and worst seats as some airlines really do try to fit as many as possible and not think so much about the comfort factor.
I pick the same aisle seat! I have to use the restroom a lot and don’t want to disturb my neighbors. I also have arthritis in my knee and like to get up to stretch my legs.
As a 300lb, 6'3" guy, who had to sit in a regular cramped economy seat in a 14hr flight, I vowed to pay extra legroom seat when flying in the A380. It cost me $200 more, but absolutely worth it because I do not want to cause any discomfort to others around me and also because the legroom is just not comfortable for long hauls.
I like any seat that lets me lean over and sleep. A window is a plus but I can’t see anything with my eyes closed. I never recline the seat so that doesn’t matter. All I need is the under seat room in front of me. I travel so lightly I never need the overhead bin.
Great info once again Megan ! On my last flight I ended up changing seats thanks to your advice and Seat Guru !! I will be taking two flights in 2025 so I will be sure to pick the best seats on those as well. I am saving this video as a "Favorite", due to your great links below- love the idea of best flight insurance for seniors. Thanks for you sensible advice and wonderful style and smile !!!
I recently flew with Ryanair and paid extra for front row seats. Never again. I was surrounded by people waiting for the toilet and the airline stewards faffing about with the drinks trolley etc. the overhead locker was also smaller than all the others on the plane so I could barely fit my bag in I also had to put my personal item bag in with my case because there was no seat in front of me. It was a very uncomfortable experience.
The French composer Jean-Louis Florentz would choose to seats on a plane that were the closest to the engines, because the sounds of the engines, with their complex harmonic tones, fascinated and inspired him. One of his organ compositions concludes with a tremendous chord based on the sound of a particular Pratt and Whitney jet engine!
I am 6'5", so I need those exit rows. I would say the swing out entertainment unit and tray are not great, but better that than trying to survive a 15 hour flight with my knees jammed into the seat in front of me. Great info overall for the majority of travelers.
Flew to Estonia recently used all your tips but dressing for the flight. Will be going back again next year and I will def dress a lot more comfortably.
I'm always in an Airbus 321neo with a 3-3 configuration. I always choose seats 13-15 even if I have to pay to upgrade / /And since I have had 2 DVTS, I'm always on an aisle so I can get up and move around whenever I want to stretch my legs. My flights are usually 3-4 hours, nonstop.
Very helpful, especially as I'll be flying this fall from central Africa to southeast Asia via Europe. One choice I won't get is an exit row seat because the airline requires you to be no more than 65 years of age
Aisle seats are my preference so I can stretch more easily. I also prefer the starboard side as I often find people boarding the aircraft carry bags on their right shoulder and have suffered more than a few collisions with careless passengers with oversized carry ons.
I usually select window seat but this time I wanted to try out the aisle on a 3x3 configuration. Surprise! The underseat storage in front of the aisle seat was much smaller than the middle and window seat and could not fit my small backpack.
Aisle seat for me, please. Since I tend to go to the bathroom more often than most, it makes sense. And I agree with you about the bulkhead seats. Since I am a "wide body" myself, the loss of the inch or so of seat width is keenly felt.
I found that choosing a seat on the suggested seats on this video comes with a high price, meaning that I was asked to check in my carry-on claiming there was no more overhead space for groups 6, 7 , 8 and 9. After checking in my carry-on and boarded and there was an empty overhead right above my seat. This happened on my way to Europe and coming back. I was not happy when I got back home and my carry-on was still in London. It was delivered to my house 3 days later in tbe middle of the night
Thanks for the video! I'm flying to London this month and used your info to make sure I'm on an aisle seat (used my miles to upgrade) so I can access the restroom easily, and made sure I had seats behind me versus a restroom wall, as I figured the seats on that row don't recline... I'm usually a window seat girl as I don't like getting brushed by people's backpacks and bodies as they walk the aisle, so this will be a test for me. I love your series and appreciate all of the information provided in a very clear, concise way. 👍
Excellent tips. Very important for a comfortable flight especially with current "sardine can" like seating. Meaning packed to the fullest. Flying was once pleasant. Now???
In the 1970s I flew from Washington state to New Zealand. The plane was full of families who had been visiting the "mother country". There were very few rules in the "good old days" so it resembled a refugee ship. There were no goats or chickens in the aisles but plenty of stuffed animals. Maybe you never experienced that but it stays in my memory. As does the trip in 1964 when my mother and three of us kids were moving cross country to meet Dad and a brother. Mom had done everything she could, checking the reservation before and on the day of the flight, arriving well ahead of the flight, and when she got there was told there weren't enough seats for us! Even by 1964 they were deliberately overselling. NOT a good old day for her! She quietly but with steely determination, for a woman who was barely tall enough to dominate the space with her crossed arms on the counter, asked the staff member, "Which of my children do you suggest I leave behind?" Can you believe they chose HER to intimidate? LOL You don't mess with a mom. Astonishingly enough, our final seat opened up. It's a miracle! LOL Yeah, pleasant. Sure.
Am I required to move from my reserved seat to a less desirable one to accommodate a family? Re exit seating: some door configurations jut into your leg space making it feel cramped.
I always pick a window seat on the right side of the plane (when facing the nose), preferably by the wing if I’m in economy. I hate public restrooms with a passion and can make it from Califórnia to North Carolina with no bathroom break. I would only consider flying first, business, or, worst case scenario, premium economy. I hate being herded while boarding and waiting forever to deplane.
I'm taking a long flight soon and at 6'3" I much prefer exit row seats but can't afford it for what they want on such a long trip. I ended up choosing an aisle seat about 3 rows from the rear of the plane. I intend to get some sleep on the flight(13.5hrs) so I should be fine as I will let the others in my row it will be lights out for a few hours at some point.
If the airplane is small enough you can have a seat that it both aisle and window. I had a work trip booked Portland ME-Newark-Charlotte-Atlanta and each leg was an Embraer 145 regional jet. :( My employer booked it as it was marginally cheaper than the Portland-Boston-Atlanta route.
For long haul / overnight flights, I prefer a window seat on the left side of the plane, as I place the pillow against the window, then lean my head against the pillow and sleep. Even on short flights, I still prefer a window seat, likely out of habit.
Almost all seats have advantages and disadvantages. If you doze off in an aisle seat for example, you may find a leg or armed is bumped by other passengers or crew going up and down the isle. A window seat can be great [more privacy], but of course, your seat mates cooperation is necessary. At the back of the plane, meal choice is often not available, because they run out of the more popular meals. You can order a special [vegie] meal however, and then at least you know what you are getting. Most seats don't recline enough anyway, so the emergency exit seat is great for leg-stretching. Basically the blood pools in the lower abdomen, so tensing the leg muscles often squeezes the blood out of the legs, thus reducing lower back pain. And no matter what you do, you can be unlucky. That kid behind you that kicks the back of your seat for 30,000 miles. I agree that a middle seat is the worst, but for a family of three or three friends it works well. There is an "arms race" over those hard [usually heavy] wheeled suitcases that people insist on putting in the overhead lockers [where they are supposed to go], and someone always misses out because of these selfish people. Check your heavy items in to the hold. If everybody used a soft carry-on bag, the whole thing would be more civilized. It is inexcusable to bring hard-trolley bags into the cabin on a long flight. The cabin is for people, not luggage. Most delays on embarking and departing the aircraft are from people getting that heavy luggage into or out of the overhead lockers. If you are a big-shot "businessman" or whatever, go business or first class, not "sardine". Then you can bring tons of stuff on board.
Hi Megan, good advice about getting the middle aisle seat if the economy configuration is 3-3-3. I did exactly that on my Singapore Airlines flight from BKK to SIN. The two people sitting next to me were travelling together, and they used the alternate side from me to get in and out during the flight, so I was not disturbed.
Good video, though I always book seats that you suggest to avoid. 😂 I travel with a disabled sibling with balance issues and anxiety, so we book bulkhead seats whenever possible. He gets very frustrated when someone in front of him reclines their seat: it’s much harder for him to stand up to go to the bathroom when this happens, even when I assist him. It’s better to avoid any potential issues, plus we enjoy the extra legroom. We continue to wear N95 masks while flying, we usually don’t encounter annoyances when seated near the bathroom. The only downside of the bulkhead seat for me is putting my carryon and purse in the overhead compartment. Even that isn’t much of a problem, because I don’t go into my carryon during the flight, and I just hide my small purse tucked behind my legs and covered with a blanket or jacket. It’s worth any perceived inconveniences to be towards the front of the plane for a much faster exit.
I booked aisle seats for my flights from London to Melbourne as I have damaged knees & need to stretch a lot. Used to love the window seat but hate being trapped in
I think it depends on the individual needs. The seats you mentioned for example do not work for me. On my flights from Spain to Miami I always chose the seats on aisle nº 15 , on my first trip I chose the one on the right behind the wall, it was perfect for me and my condition , yes I had to eat a crying baby all long but it worth the sacrifice and the price when you suffer of post traumatic stress and anxiety as I do. I can't fly behind another seat that can recline over me (I feel trapped ). In fact when I can I chose the seats on the aisle left or right don't matter but just behind first or business class so I can go out of the flight as soon as possible. Thanks for your tips.
I was once seating right across from the bathroom on an overseas flight. I ended up scoring, because no one ever sat next to me. The bathroom never smelled, and I had a little bed for the flight. I almost don't like reclining or more foot room, because I'm small and it just messes with my back stretching out more. Normally I like the back
United airline always treated single passenger not nice ( I am UA member more than 20 years) I booked the flight from Boston to Singapore, when I boarded the plane and got my seat, a moment later, a couple with the baby, told me that was seat, I showed them my seat number, the woman looked angry to my face, I called the flight attendant, she told me that they had to change my seat,, then put me in the last seat next to the restroom , gave me a bottle of water and walked away . I felt so bad for this treated. why always changed my seat which I book 1-2 months ahead ?
I’ve always tired to sit over the wing and by the window but for some reason on my recent trip to Madrid I was so restless and needed to get up often. I think going forward it’ll be over the wing and aisle seat so I can get up without bothering the person beside me. Btw I use Seat guru for every flight
I love this. I don’t travel regularly but like you I go to India. Proudly been there six times. I’ve done my own analysis and came to same conclusion as you middle right end but seeing this reinforced what I thought and as always added additional tips that were helpful. ❤
lmao all the "Bad" Seats are my favorite seats. I got a tiny bladder so isle seat and as close to the bathroom as possible. exit row seats have more leg room and the back row seats, the ones i've been in leaned back and it was nice because I didn't have to worry about pissing someone off for reclining
Since I almost always fly in basic economy, for me the best available seats are in the last section of seats in the rear of the plane, between the next to last and last set of restrooms, preferably not in the first and last 2-3 rows in that section, and as far towards the front of that section as possible (but further back if it's a day flight over scenic regions so the wing doesn't obstruct the view too much). I can usually find a seat somewhere there, and if I'm lucky it's a window or at least aisle seat, and I don't have to pay extra for it. I'm willing to play seat roulette to save some money as I can handle non-ideal seats. I also don't mind bulkhead or emergency exit seats, but get the downsides and in any case they tend to cost more so I rarely get them. But in the end it's just a seat, and people, myself included, make too much of them.
When I was younger I always would take the window seat for short flights. Then I flew again for the first time in 10 years I chose a window seat on a 14 hour flight from LAX to MNL. Once I got on the plane and took my window seat I realized it wasn't smart on my part fortunately for me I asked the young lady if she'd like to switch seats and she could have the window seat and I'll take the aisle seat and she agreed. Best decision I made. I always pick or take an aisle seat. Sorry for being so long...
The new 737s seem to have more storage in front of the middle seat than that of either the aisle or the window seat. I’m 5’10”, but the middle seat has worked fine for me so I can get more stowed away. I have no compunction crawling over others to get to the bathroom. LOL.
I was disappointed in Seatguru. I finally went to use it the first time last week as my husband and I were looking at our American Airlines long-haul flight and the picture on Seatguru for that exact flight did not match the seat configuration for when we had to actually select our seats. We took the time to look up our seats and which ones we wanted or would like and then when we actually had to pick our seats out, they didn’t match.
I enjoyed reading the comments below. It is a very individual choice. Thanks for introducing me to Aero Lopa-it is better than the other two, as I rely on choosing my seats when I book.
Airlines that allocate seats automatically tend to allocate the back seats first; thus, all the rows near the back are usually full. Thus, if seat selection is included, pick a seat closer to the middle or front, if possible. These airlines, like TAP, charge very high seat prices. You can wait until you get to the gate if you receive one of these seats, and they may change you free of charge as they did for me. However, you'll be out of luck if the plane is full.
The problem with seats near the toilet 🚽 on overnight flights is the constant door banging when you are trying to sleep.Although plane toilet doors fold and aren't as noisy as normal doors they are still noisy with the bolt clicking and whatnot.
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Aisle seats ALWAYS. I’m happy to get up to let someone out as it gives me a time to stretch
Me too! I hate having to climb over strangers to get out. I’d rather get up and let someone out, and you get a little more sense of personal space with an aisle next to you. Also, if I’m needing the bathroom more often, it’s embarrassing to keep drawing attention to it by disturbing others
Me too
I time my restroom breaks when my middle seater pops out 😂
same. Always aisle, no matter how long or short the flight.
Even when you're finally heavily sleeping and dreaming? No, thanks, I love being able to lean against the window and having left arm space that is 100% mine.
@@johnc3525 "heavily sleeping" on a plane is impossible for me. I can doze but that's it.
Personally I love the exit row seats over the wing. Aside from the extra room, you’re guaranteed not to be seated next to young kids. I also prefer colder temperatures so that’s a plus for me.
Sounds like the perfect choice for you. Happy travels!
The extra leg room of the emergency exit row means that you can have a window seat without your access being restricted by the passengers next to you. Even if the neighbouring passengers are very tall, it’s still possible to step over their extended legs without difficulty. That isn’t the case in other rows.
As a 5,7’’ woman, I’m never going back to a regular seat, I’ll pay the extra for the row seats next to the doors forever. It’s true the rest sucks and more people are about, but the feeling of fully stretching your legs is unmatched to anything else that sucks 😅
I also loved the exit row seats although I am just a shorty. But you get so much more space. Unfortunately I got a disability and now I am no longer allowed to sit there because they think I cannot help others in case of an emergency 😢
I prefer them as well. My favorite is the 2nd premium economy row (aisle). But if that isn't available I opt for an exit row seat.
When traveling as 2 people, I try to reserve the aisle and window seat, leaving the middle seat unreserved. If the plane isn't full, then often the middle seat will remain empty as nobody wants to choose a seat between 2 reserved seats. If the plane is full, then whoever ends up in the middle seat is always happy to switch to either aisle or window to let us sit together. It's a gamble that sometimes pays off and rarely is worse.
This. The middle seat passenger is usually happy and relieved to be offered the window, and not be stuck between two people. I'm personally very inconsistent in that strategy, but it's paid off before. My goal is usually the middle section when one exists.
Absolutely.........
My wife likes the aisle seat for restroom visits but I can sit through an eight hour flight without moving. Last flight to America on a three three plane we booked aisle and middle and on both flights and found the window seat taken each time.
Looking around though, we did see several couples with empty seats in the middle........
Flights are usually fully booked, if not overbooked, these days.
@@ahwhite2022 Id, rather the window, never liked the middle, not interested in bathroom runs, unless a got diarrhea, from the time i before boarding, i already did my dumping home Or at the aiport, never used a airplane rest room, in my 40 years flying back and fort!!
Great tips! I see I have been doing everything right, as my years of flying seem to naturally have brought me to the same conclusion of where the best seats are.
Another seat to be careful about is in the back of the plane, where it gets narrower. In some planes, the rows change from four to three seats in the middle or from three to two seats on the sides (or both). What, on first inspection, sounds great because there are fewer people next to you, often means that the screen in front of you and the tray table are misaligned with your seat. Only being able to watch movies by staring diagonally onto your screen (which leads to more reflections) or by leaning over gets exhausting fast.
I like your graphics with animated annotations. Makes it much easier to understand the points you are making.
Thanks! It was a lot of info and I wanted to make it easier to follow. Great to hear it was!
I like the bulkhead seats. Yes the armrest doesn’t fold up because it is anchored to the the divider between you and whomever thunder thigh passenger might otherwise expand into your seat space. I don’t need my carry-on accessible during the flight. Everything I need during the flight fits in my pocket. Having my carry-on overhead gives me more footroom. My disageeing with her on certain points doesn’t make her wrong. It just illustrates that different passengers have different needs. You just have to find what works for you.
Doing a red eye to Rome, we are sitting in the third to last row with only TWO seats in that row. Just me and my hubby. Perfect.
I totally agree!!!!! As I had the window seat, I was able to stand between the seat and the window so as not to interfere with my wife. I stood a lot as the 747 seats are terrible.
This is what we did. Unfortunately, my wife frequently becomes motion sick and I struggle to sleep. It was a 10 hour nightmare that wouldn't end, but no fault of the seat location. The return flight was during the day and we fared much better.
I was seated on a Westjet flight to Mexico in the days when it was a great airline and realized there was a cat in a cage next to me. Being allergic I spoke with the flight attendent who informend me I was in "the cat section" as they tended to seat them together to minimize problems. I was moved to the very rear of the aircraft but was continually offered free food and drinks by the very nice FA.
The “cat section”! Can’t say I have heard that before. Safe travels, Bruce.
Oh! Was it labeled on the website? This would be useful for me since I'm also allergic to cats.
@@PortableProfessional cat ladies love that section
@@petrolo72 I love ladies so I might like that section too.
I would be willing to pay extra for a seat in the "cat section".
I recently flew from Frankfurt to San Francisco in one of the exit row seats, which also happened to be next to the restroom. I admit that it was occasionally annoying when people would gather in front of my seat while waiting to use the restroom, I’m 6 feet tall and the leg room was absolutely worth it. And honestly, I didn’t notice any foul odors.
4 hrs flight or less = Window
4 hrs flight or more = Aisle
Less then 4 hours is economy, more then 4 is business class
@@n1cktast1c34 Agreed but most planes have just economy, eco plus, then straight to 1st . I just booked united and paid 119 extra for eco plus I thought that was for the whole round trip. No; that was just one of the flights. I'm not overly thrilled with United lately I'll use up my miles and then switch to Delta.
@@n1cktast1c34 "more then 4 is business class" then you are paying like $5K per person :)
@@gigi9301yep! Have to time your bathroom visits to not get blocked by the dreaded trolley!
@@andreacasey4454 I wish they would just stay put if the flight is under four hours nobody needs anything except to get to the toilet and back
Got to agree about sitting in the rear of the aircraft, rarely do planes reverse into mountains😅
If the plane flies into a mountain there will likely be no survivors, no matter where you sit. Good thing it's EXTREMELY rare.
On a 10 hour flight to and from London I sat aisle seat center section just in front of the wings on a 777 and like you said the center passenger seldom came my direction to get up because the lady to her right was far smaller and probably less intimidating than I was. I've flown hundreds of times and definitely recommend it.
Thank you, Megan! I really appreciate your breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each seat. In my overseas traveling, I’ve usually gone with a group that had pre-purchased seats, so i often had little choice. By the time things were settled to the point where i could change my seat assignment, the good ones were usually gone. Because of my age and medical conditions, it’s highly unlikely that I’ll be flying in such big planes again. But even when a passenger can choose the optimal seat, there’s always a good chance that you’ll be seated next to a drunk (i have been), a grossly obese person who occupies a good half of your own seat, a family with squirming kids, or a kid behind you who kicks the back of your seat for the whole flight. And these days parents are not usually going to tell their kid to stop. The flying experience has for quite a while been bifurcated into ultra-luxury for those who can afford it, and cattle-car discomfort for those flying economy.
An aisle seat in economy on the left side of the airplane has always been my choice on the long 15 hour+ flights. Until now. I'm in the 2nd half of my 70ts and my next flight will be business class. No need to save anymore at the final phase of my life.
@@hansreynders6853
I'm going with: I'm going to die broke, like first class for that really long flights with connections that you've been dreading
@@hansreynders6853 Final phase of your life?!?!?! Please, you're just getting started!💓
For me aisle seat is still most advantage. In the past beginning first or second time when I started to travel by airplane in the aisle seat, I used to stand up/out to let passengers to get into their window and middle seat but after I had discovered that I did not have to stand up/out from my seat any more instead I just turn myself with the seat belt under the arm seat on to the side facing aisle and the other passengers could easily walk into their seats without complaint since I am a thin and slim body person type. If those who were/are overweight and big body size may not be able to do this way.
On my last trip on United, I had to pay extra in Economy to choose any seat. I chose aisle seats and had to justify the extra expense to the manager. One disadvantage of the aisle seat is the underseat space is significantly narrower than the middle and window seats. One time my backpack was too wide with the exterior side pockets full to fit in front, I had to take out the water bottle. Later I bought a smaller backpack without side pockets.
Window seat on the north side of the plane, ideally in a 1 or 2 configuration.
I love looking out the window. [I also set my video screen to the flight tracker.]
I run warm, so a cooler seat is better. I'll bring a light sweater just in case.
I can minimize me restroom trips. I'll go when my row-mate does so they only need to get up for me once.
I will pay extra for my seat, real food and drink, checked baggage and all-around better service. Domestic first class or better.
One time I was returning from Rome and we were some of the first to board. The entire plane was almost empty, except for one woman sitting in my seat! 😡 I had paid extra for me and my husband to sit on the aisle across from one another. The flight attendant tried to talk me into another seat beside him but I stood my ground ( she did NOT offer me a free ticket). The woman finally slid over to sit in the middle seat where she was assigned. I found out later that an entire flight to O’Hare had been cancelled and they had to find flights for the passengers.
it's all a matter of perspective. one of my long haul flights was in the entrance row, at the bulkhead behind the bathroom. the tray table and screen being in the armrest was a small price to pay for being able to get up straight out of the seat, and comfortably stretch my legs. I do wish I'd known in advance that there was no underseat storage, and that my carryon would be in a bin away from the seats, but that wasn't a major issue for me, either. and my wife prefers seats conveniently close to the bathroom, for any long flight.
So true, Ken. We all have our preference's. Happy travels!
All good points. I certainly like to be near the bathroom.
I've been on flights from hell where the bathrooms figuratively explode, literally overflow
You only need to experience that once
@@cachecow Extra points for accurate and graphic use of figuratively and literally. :) You convinced me. I'll take a look elsewhere.
6'5" 270 lb man here, I always take the exit row window seat if I can. I dress warm with a hooded sweater. If there are extra seats on the plane, there is a good chance that the middle seat beside you will be empty. I can't believe the government had to regulate no charge seats for parents with
I can't believe airlines give away free seats!
@@653j521they always used to be free except different classes If you checked in early, you could state a preference and they'd accommodate. They used to ask window or aisle. Now they don't seem to ask tho to be fair I'm usually on different south American airlines and my Spanish may not be up to that discussion. I do notice I'm given selection option when I did an online check-in but the good seats were extra charges and since they are always two flight trips you pay extra each flight, but the flights were only two hours each so it's not worth it
Everyone else pays higher prices
Parents have given up on parenting as a responsibility of having children.
Been feeling antsy all day because I'm about to hop on my first ever international flight. While going through different videos, I stumbled upon your channel and have to say it's a lifesaver..! This video is exactly what I've been looking for, and the point at 7:58 is so important! Plus, I saw you posted this just a day ago?! Such a pleasure to discover your channel! I love your work, the video is very well made. I'm already a subscriber..!
This video is basically a horror film. Look at some other videos before you believe this nice gal.
I prefer a window seat towards the rear. I live near the middle of the country in Dallas/Ft. Worth, so most CONUS flights for me are 3 1/2 hours or less. That makes bathroom breaks a lesser issue. I can usually get settled before most others are back there and there is plenty of overhead storage remaining. More chance of finding the middle seat empty. Deplaning last isn't normally an issue: I travel with tools, so have to wait for baggage claim anyway. And I am behind the wing, so have a good view. When I went gold with AA, I chose a seat toward the front and regretted it. Some of the seats the airline labels as "paid preferential" are not clear to me why they are "preferential" because I don't want them, certainly not at extra expense.
I stay in Premium Economy bulkhead seats and love them. They have always let me bring my bag down during the flight. It only needs to be stored during landing and takeoff. And because we pick the 2 seats on either side, no one is walking between us. I can't imagine flying any other way The huge benefit for me, no one is putting their seat back into my face. Anytime I have to fly in any other seat, I get the person who feels it necessary to put their seat back making me feel very compressed.
I think all seats should be locked. It's really unfortunate that a person in front of you can ruin your trip because they aren't considerate. It affects your viewing screen, your table, can jostle your drink and make it near impossible to leave your seat by blocking your ability to stand up. Obviously I have to jostle them by holding onto the back of their seat to get up and down 😅
We did Premium Economy bulkhead last year, and the legroom was gigantic. However, I did not like taking the TV out from the side. This next trip, we are going in the next row behind, and we will pay attention to how close the seat back in front of us is. We might choose a bulkhead on the return!
@@grantw7 How was it? I have a long haul on KLM in 3 months and picked aisle bulkhead in premium economy. The aisle seats in Premium are still available but I'm wondering about the seat in front when reclined.
@@Valarmorgolis, STAY in your bulkhead seat!!!!! On most of my trips, the person in front does not tilt their seat, but on my trip in September, the guy in front of me tilted his all the way back, and I was surprised how little room I then had. I had to ask him to tilt forward to get out of my seat. I will always choose bulkhead seating, if available, in the future.
@@grantw7 Excellent, thanks for the reply. The recline is more on the KLM and was concerned about the seat ahead hitting my knees and the occasion they don't sit up right for meals.
I personally like the last row seats because on some airlines, the flight attendants realize they are not very desirable and several times I've gotten extra snacks and free drinks. Alcohol included. 😊
Hi Megan. I fly Southwest Airlines domestically, and I usually get A or low B, so I chose somewhere in the back half of the plane. Lately, I’ve been flying PAL internationally to Bangkok then the overnight train to Chiangmai , so I don’t have to worry about the plane being late to Bangkok and I don’t have to pay for 2 checked bags at 23 kilos apiece on the plane to Chiangmai. PAL charges for seats in the front half, and for aisle seats throughout the plane. For my trip in October, I chose a window seat 5 rows from the back. The aisle seat had already been chosen. I can’t imagine anyone choosing the middle seat, unless it is a full flight. At online checking time, I’ll check the seat chart again and move if I need to.
Everything you said made sense and was informative.
But l'lI do the aisle on the left side and as close to the front as I can get, b/c that's usually the side that everyone exits the plane, so if you move with swiftness and grace and you only do carry -on you can often be the first person off the plane, and out of the airport
And if you're on a bigger plane with the center section, often the right row exits slower b/c the people on the left side have a "right of way"
I always choose a seat at the rear of the plane on the aisle! Will be going to SoCal in September for a week and a half to visit relatives and will keep your suggestions in mind, Megan! I love your TH-cam channel!!
Aisle seat in economy. In Business class I only fly on planes with the 1-2-1 arrangement so I can get an aisle and a window seat.
After checking out business/first class on an overseas trip several years ago, I rarely fly economy, premium economy, or recession-proof economy. BUT on this trip from Los Angeles to Toronto, I picked the exit row aisle seat (something I've done before, and the first time I found out that it can get cold) as I don't want a window seat where I have to step over someone to get food or have food passed to me by the FA, or an aisle seat where I have to get up when my window neighbor has to go to the restroom. So I chose the exit row aisle seat. I love your graph and your explanation about not sitting in the bulkhead or around changing areas or the restroom is duly noted.
Subscribed!
The bulk head seats you can take your things down after takeoff then no one can get through your space .
doesn't stop them, people have no shame today ...
I ALWAYS get a window seat. You control the shade up or down, you can lean against it to rest or sleep, you can look out at the scenery, if there is anything interesting and you don't have to move, if someone wants to get up for the bathroom. You can just lean to the side and look out the window, and not worry about anything else. If you are someone who gets up to go to the bathroom a lot, then get an aisle seat I guess. Middle seat should be avoided at all costs lol.
Thanks for watching!
Totally agree . Love a window seat.
I’ve always loved window seats, as I like to look out of the window. But my most recent long-haul was an experience enough to get me to switch to being an aisle-seat fan. I was seated in a window seat next to a person who slept the entire flight, and would not move to let me out even when I woke her to ask her to let me out. She made me climb over her. I can’t sleep hardly at all on airplanes so it wasn’t pleasant. I’d really rather have been in the aisle seat and let her sleep in the window seat!
Great video Megan! I was recently seated in the exit/bulkhead row on a non-stop Delta flight from JFK to Athens-a last minute situation over which I had very few options. It wasn’t my favorite seat of all times but certainly beat the middle seat on SW years ago. NEVER. AGAIN.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Middle seat as a solo traveller is my last choice!
Great tips as ever, but only from a solo traveller's perspective, of course - all sorts of other considerations come into play if you're travelling as a couple or with kids. For instance, when travelling long-haul as a couple these days on a plane with either a 3-3-3 or 3-4-3 configuration (2-4-2 being less common), we always try to book one of the half-a-dozen or fewer pairs of seats at the back of the aircraft if there are any, as then we have no one next to us and there also tends to be a little more room for underseat bags, pillows, blankets, etc.
Sure, you're closer to the toilets and/or galley, and the rear of the plane can be cooler (and sometimes with fewer overhead bins), but we find that only having each other to sit next to on an up to 12-hour flight makes for a much more pleasant experience than being stuck next to someone else a little further up the cabin - where it's hardly all that warmer or less noisy anyway.
Definitely some different things to consider when travelling as a couple. I like your seating choice. Happy travels!
For LONG gruelling flights, such as Seattle to Bangkok and... especially... back.
Middle aisle, right side (being right handed).
Yes, having done this a few times now, in various seat locations, this really DOES seem to make sense.
...though I'd not previously thought it through as you explained it.
Thanks.
Most of that was good analysis, but some of it was just pure personal preference. I personally would choose a middle exit row, even near a bathroom if I have to, over pretty much any other standard legroom seat. I absolutely need the legroom over all else. One can always manage temperatures by planning ahead when packing.
At the same time, this 'benefit' of putting your arm into the aisle I've found to be just horrible with it getting hit non-stop even sticking out just an inch.
You may be completely right, but I love my window seat on the left hand side, right bevore the wings.
Thank you for your time and posting. Halfway through, I was hoping you were going to cross out every seat. :) If it's a US carrier, I would have. I've been in a lot of sucky situations. What I've learned is, that time never stops, and that sucky situation will end sooner or later. For me to pay hundreds of dollars more for a seat when it only lasts several hours, I'll suffer... As I say that sitting at home. :)
I am a massive fan of exit rows and don’t necessarily agree with your assessment. It is important to note that you want to get the last row for double exit rows since those seats do recline, and you will have additional legroom.
some airlines do have full recline at the backrow seats, so I'd still consider them simply because I can recline pretty much whenever I want
.. comfortable and pre-tested selected ears plugs and eye-shade are compulsory accessories to be carried on long-haul flights.
I'm impressed how you explained your logic for each seat decision. As a seasoned traveler (90 countries) who always thinks about how I can better optimize my travel choices, I learned a few things from your helpful video. I check is FlightAware to see on what side the sun will be hitting the plane throughout the flight. Since I often prefer window seats, it's much more comfortable to be on the shaded side of the plane. I still enjoy gazing out the window, and not having the hot, glaring sun on my body or in my eyes makes for a more comfortable experience.
Thanks! Good point about the sun and window seats. Thanks for sharing that.
Like the aisle seat. Get up easy to move about and I can see what’s going on which helps keep me occupied!
1:48 Air Transat even has a barricade belt to lock foot traffic from using the bulkhead seats.
Bulkhead seats for us. Nobody reclining into our space. Leg room for 6’5 husband. Worth every penny. Easy access to overhead bin as we are first in section.
It really depends on the bulkhead. I’m also 6’5” and find that some bulkheads have less leg room if it goes all the way to the floor, resulting in less room for my size 14 feet, than if I could put them under the seat in front of me. I find the best option is an exit row, as you get more leg room and the seat in front of you can’t recline into your knees.
@@roger1818 true
I flew SFO to ANC on United. It was four hours and the leg room and I swear the seat was smaller than normal. I’m 5’5” and my poor husband is 6’4”. Then we flew home Vancouver to SFO and got an upgrade to first! Not together but 🤷🏼♀️. I was in row 1 so no underwear storage but there was a side pocket for my iPad. And the flight was only 2 hours anyway.
I agree generally with you. However, I select an aisle seat that has the aisle to my left, so I can better hear the personnel, as I am deaf in the right ear. That sometimes means I have to take the right section of the plane, which you find is less ideal. Bur for those who have no differential hearing problems, a great video.
I read one opinion that the back rows are better on long haul as they are the rows that it is possible there is no one else. Most people want to sit further forward to get off more quickly. I have no experience with this, but it seems to have some merit. I plan to go to NZ next year so I am trying to figure out what can make it as bearable as possible.
There’s a few things online that show you the best and worst seats as some airlines really do try to fit as many as possible and not think so much about the comfort factor.
I pick the same aisle seat! I have to use the restroom a lot and don’t want to disturb my neighbors. I also have arthritis in my knee and like to get up to stretch my legs.
Hey Megan! I always book the seat, 1A in Porter Airlines and Westjet flights
Nice! Thanks for watching!
As a 300lb, 6'3" guy, who had to sit in a regular cramped economy seat in a 14hr flight, I vowed to pay extra legroom seat when flying in the A380. It cost me $200 more, but absolutely worth it because I do not want to cause any discomfort to others around me and also because the legroom is just not comfortable for long hauls.
I like any seat that lets me lean over and sleep. A window is a plus but I can’t see anything with my eyes closed. I never recline the seat so that doesn’t matter. All I need is the under seat room in front of me. I travel so lightly I never need the overhead bin.
Great info once again Megan ! On my last flight I ended up changing seats thanks to your advice and Seat Guru !! I will be taking two flights in 2025 so I will be sure to pick the best seats on those as well. I am saving this video as a "Favorite", due to your great links below- love the idea of best flight insurance for seniors. Thanks for you sensible advice and wonderful style and smile !!!
Thanks so much! Hope those future flights are relaxing and you arrive at your destination ready to enjoy.
@@PortableProfessionalYou are one of my favorites and will never miss your videos !
I recently flew with Ryanair and paid extra for front row seats. Never again. I was surrounded by people waiting for the toilet and the airline stewards faffing about with the drinks trolley etc. the overhead locker was also smaller than all the others on the plane so I could barely fit my bag in I also had to put my personal item bag in with my case because there was no seat in front of me. It was a very uncomfortable experience.
That does not sound pleasant. Thanks for watching and hope your next flight has you in a better seat.
Ryan Air? I try to avoid Ryanair. Like sardines in a can.😅
Window, always!
Thanks for watching! Happy travels!
The French composer Jean-Louis Florentz would choose to seats on a plane that were the closest to the engines, because the sounds of the engines, with their complex harmonic tones, fascinated and inspired him. One of his organ compositions concludes with a tremendous chord based on the sound of a particular Pratt and Whitney jet engine!
I get hit as everyone goes past sitting in the aisle. I like the window but don’t like to ask people to move.
I am 6'5", so I need those exit rows. I would say the swing out entertainment unit and tray are not great, but better that than trying to survive a 15 hour flight with my knees jammed into the seat in front of me. Great info overall for the majority of travelers.
Flew to Estonia recently used all your tips but dressing for the flight. Will be going back again next year and I will def dress a lot more comfortably.
Great video! It would be great for you to do one, on where the best place a couple should sit and the best place for a family.
I'm always in an Airbus 321neo with a 3-3 configuration. I always choose seats 13-15 even if I have to pay to upgrade /
/And since I have had 2 DVTS, I'm always on an aisle so I can get up and move around whenever I want to stretch my legs.
My flights are usually 3-4 hours, nonstop.
So important to move around, and the main reason I choose an aisle seat. Thanks for watching and safe travels!
Very helpful, especially as I'll be flying this fall from central Africa to southeast Asia via Europe. One choice I won't get is an exit row seat because the airline requires you to be no more than 65 years of age
Aisle seats are my preference so I can stretch more easily. I also prefer the starboard side as I often find people boarding the aircraft carry bags on their right shoulder and have suffered more than a few collisions with careless passengers with oversized carry ons.
One of the dangers of the aisle seat! Safe travels!
very good video. I love your channel. you do a great job. keep up the good work
Thank you, I will! Look forward to seeing you back here!
Upvote for not attaching the Lavalier microphone to something stupid like a spatula and actually using it like it's intended designed.
I usually select window seat but this time I wanted to try out the aisle on a 3x3 configuration. Surprise! The underseat storage in front of the aisle seat was much smaller than the middle and window seat and could not fit my small backpack.
I always love your videos. They're extremely helpful and filled with important information, and I love your humour as well. Thank you!
Aisle seat for me, please. Since I tend to go to the bathroom more often than most, it makes sense. And I agree with you about the bulkhead seats. Since I am a "wide body" myself, the loss of the inch or so of seat width is keenly felt.
I found that choosing a seat on the suggested seats on this video comes with a high price, meaning that I was asked to check in my carry-on claiming there was no more overhead space for groups 6, 7 , 8 and 9. After checking in my carry-on and boarded and there was an empty overhead right above my seat. This happened on my way to Europe and coming back. I was not happy when I got back home and my carry-on was still in London. It was delivered to my house 3 days later in tbe middle of the night
Thanks for the video! I'm flying to London this month and used your info to make sure I'm on an aisle seat (used my miles to upgrade) so I can access the restroom easily, and made sure I had seats behind me versus a restroom wall, as I figured the seats on that row don't recline... I'm usually a window seat girl as I don't like getting brushed by people's backpacks and bodies as they walk the aisle, so this will be a test for me. I love your series and appreciate all of the information provided in a very clear, concise way. 👍
That is great to hear! Have a super time in London!
Excellent tips. Very important for a comfortable flight especially with current "sardine can" like seating. Meaning packed to the fullest. Flying was once pleasant. Now???
Thanks! Great to hear you found it helpful!
@@PortableProfessional signed up for your newsletter. Looked forward to seeing it. Thanks.
In the 1970s I flew from Washington state to New Zealand. The plane was full of families who had been visiting the "mother country". There were very few rules in the "good old days" so it resembled a refugee ship. There were no goats or chickens in the aisles but plenty of stuffed animals. Maybe you never experienced that but it stays in my memory. As does the trip in 1964 when my mother and three of us kids were moving cross country to meet Dad and a brother. Mom had done everything she could, checking the reservation before and on the day of the flight, arriving well ahead of the flight, and when she got there was told there weren't enough seats for us! Even by 1964 they were deliberately overselling. NOT a good old day for her! She quietly but with steely determination, for a woman who was barely tall enough to dominate the space with her crossed arms on the counter, asked the staff member, "Which of my children do you suggest I leave behind?" Can you believe they chose HER to intimidate? LOL You don't mess with a mom. Astonishingly enough, our final seat opened up. It's a miracle! LOL Yeah, pleasant. Sure.
Am I required to move from my reserved seat to a less desirable one to accommodate a family? Re exit seating: some door configurations jut into your leg space making it feel cramped.
I always pick a window seat on the right side of the plane (when facing the nose), preferably by the wing if I’m in economy. I hate public restrooms with a passion and can make it from Califórnia to North Carolina with no bathroom break. I would only consider flying first, business, or, worst case scenario, premium economy. I hate being herded while boarding and waiting forever to deplane.
Great video, I will definitely refer to it when next booking a seat on a plane. Thank you
I'm taking a long flight soon and at 6'3" I much prefer exit row seats but can't afford it for what they want on such a long trip. I ended up choosing an aisle seat about 3 rows from the rear of the plane. I intend to get some sleep on the flight(13.5hrs) so I should be fine as I will let the others in my row it will be lights out for a few hours at some point.
If the airplane is small enough you can have a seat that it both aisle and window. I had a work trip booked Portland ME-Newark-Charlotte-Atlanta and each leg was an Embraer 145 regional jet. :( My employer booked it as it was marginally cheaper than the Portland-Boston-Atlanta route.
One way to get the best of both. Happy travels!
For long haul / overnight flights, I prefer a window seat on the left side of the plane, as I place the pillow against the window, then lean my head against the pillow and sleep. Even on short flights, I still prefer a window seat, likely out of habit.
Almost all seats have advantages and disadvantages. If you doze off in an aisle seat for example, you may find a leg or armed is bumped by other passengers or crew going up and down the isle. A window seat can be great [more privacy], but of course, your seat mates cooperation is necessary. At the back of the plane, meal choice is often not available, because they run out of the more popular meals. You can order a special [vegie] meal however, and then at least you know what you are getting.
Most seats don't recline enough anyway, so the emergency exit seat is great for leg-stretching. Basically the blood pools in the lower abdomen, so tensing the leg muscles often squeezes the blood out of the legs, thus reducing lower back pain.
And no matter what you do, you can be unlucky. That kid behind you that kicks the back of your seat for 30,000 miles.
I agree that a middle seat is the worst, but for a family of three or three friends it works well.
There is an "arms race" over those hard [usually heavy] wheeled suitcases that people insist on putting in the overhead lockers [where they are supposed to go], and someone always misses out because of these selfish people. Check your heavy items in to the hold. If everybody used a soft carry-on bag, the whole thing would be more civilized. It is inexcusable to bring hard-trolley bags into the cabin on a long flight. The cabin is for people, not luggage. Most delays on embarking and departing the aircraft are from people getting that heavy luggage into or out of the overhead lockers.
If you are a big-shot "businessman" or whatever, go business or first class, not "sardine". Then you can bring tons of stuff on board.
Hi Megan, good advice about getting the middle aisle seat if the economy configuration is 3-3-3. I did exactly that on my Singapore Airlines flight from BKK to SIN. The two people sitting next to me were travelling together, and they used the alternate side from me to get in and out during the flight, so I was not disturbed.
Great when it works out that way which it often does! Happy travels!
Good video, though I always book seats that you suggest to avoid. 😂 I travel with a disabled sibling with balance issues and anxiety, so we book bulkhead seats whenever possible. He gets very frustrated when someone in front of him reclines their seat: it’s much harder for him to stand up to go to the bathroom when this happens, even when I assist him. It’s better to avoid any potential issues, plus we enjoy the extra legroom. We continue to wear N95 masks while flying, we usually don’t encounter annoyances when seated near the bathroom.
The only downside of the bulkhead seat for me is putting my carryon and purse in the overhead compartment. Even that isn’t much of a problem, because I don’t go into my carryon during the flight, and I just hide my small purse tucked behind my legs and covered with a blanket or jacket.
It’s worth any perceived inconveniences to be towards the front of the plane for a much faster exit.
I booked aisle seats for my flights from London to Melbourne as I have damaged knees & need to stretch a lot. Used to love the window seat but hate being trapped in
I think it depends on the individual needs. The seats you mentioned for example do not work for me. On my flights from Spain to Miami I always chose the seats on aisle nº 15 , on my first trip I chose the one on the right behind the wall, it was perfect for me and my condition , yes I had to eat a crying baby all long but it worth the sacrifice and the price when you suffer of post traumatic stress and anxiety as I do. I can't fly behind another seat that can recline over me (I feel trapped ). In fact when I can I chose the seats on the aisle left or right don't matter but just behind first or business class so I can go out of the flight as soon as possible.
Thanks for your tips.
I was once seating right across from the bathroom on an overseas flight. I ended up scoring, because no one ever sat next to me. The bathroom never smelled, and I had a little bed for the flight.
I almost don't like reclining or more foot room, because I'm small and it just messes with my back stretching out more.
Normally I like the back
Love it when I get a row of seats to myself! Hasn’t happened lately with flights being so full!
United airline always treated single passenger not nice ( I am UA member more than 20 years) I booked the flight from Boston to Singapore, when I boarded the plane and got my seat, a moment later, a couple with the baby, told me that was seat, I showed them my seat number, the woman looked angry to my face, I called the flight attendant, she told me that they had to change my seat,, then put me in the last seat next to the restroom , gave me a bottle of water and walked away . I felt so bad for this treated. why always changed my seat which I book 1-2 months ahead ?
i go for aisle seats bc of going to rest room often on long flights..
I like the window seats in the back around row 32-34
I’ve always tired to sit over the wing and by the window but for some reason on my recent trip to Madrid I was so restless and needed to get up often. I think going forward it’ll be over the wing and aisle seat so I can get up without bothering the person beside me.
Btw I use Seat guru for every flight
I love this. I don’t travel regularly but like you I go to India. Proudly been there six times. I’ve done my own analysis and came to same conclusion as you middle right end but seeing this reinforced what I thought and as always added additional tips that were helpful. ❤
lmao all the "Bad" Seats are my favorite seats. I got a tiny bladder so isle seat and as close to the bathroom as possible.
exit row seats have more leg room
and the back row seats, the ones i've been in leaned back and it was nice because I didn't have to worry about pissing someone off for reclining
Sounds like you have found your perfect seat🤣
Since I almost always fly in basic economy, for me the best available seats are in the last section of seats in the rear of the plane, between the next to last and last set of restrooms, preferably not in the first and last 2-3 rows in that section, and as far towards the front of that section as possible (but further back if it's a day flight over scenic regions so the wing doesn't obstruct the view too much).
I can usually find a seat somewhere there, and if I'm lucky it's a window or at least aisle seat, and I don't have to pay extra for it. I'm willing to play seat roulette to save some money as I can handle non-ideal seats. I also don't mind bulkhead or emergency exit seats, but get the downsides and in any case they tend to cost more so I rarely get them. But in the end it's just a seat, and people, myself included, make too much of them.
When I was younger I always would take the window seat for short flights. Then I flew again for the first time in 10 years I chose a window seat on a 14 hour flight from LAX to MNL. Once I got on the plane and took my window seat I realized it wasn't smart on my part fortunately for me I asked the young lady if she'd like to switch seats and she could have the window seat and I'll take the aisle seat and she agreed. Best decision I made. I always pick or take an aisle seat. Sorry for being so long...
Great that you were able to switch as that is a long flight! Happy travels!
The new 737s seem to have more storage in front of the middle seat than that of either the aisle or the window seat. I’m 5’10”, but the middle seat has worked fine for me so I can get more stowed away. I have no compunction crawling over others to get to the bathroom. LOL.
I agree with your theory about seats on the left getting reserved first. That’s also my experience.
I was disappointed in Seatguru. I finally went to use it the first time last week as my husband and I were looking at our American Airlines long-haul flight and the picture on Seatguru for that exact flight did not match the seat configuration for when we had to actually select our seats. We took the time to look up our seats and which ones we wanted or would like and then when we actually had to pick our seats out, they didn’t match.
I enjoyed reading the comments below. It is a very individual choice. Thanks for introducing me to Aero Lopa-it is better than the other two, as I rely on choosing my seats when I book.
Glad I could help! Happy travels, Grant!
Airlines that allocate seats automatically tend to allocate the back seats first; thus, all the rows near the back are usually full. Thus, if seat selection is included, pick a seat closer to the middle or front, if possible. These airlines, like TAP, charge very high seat prices. You can wait until you get to the gate if you receive one of these seats, and they may change you free of charge as they did for me. However, you'll be out of luck if the plane is full.
I had a flight ✈️ from Manila, Philippines 🇵🇭 to Palawan. the last row was the first to exit or sit.
Thanks for the refresh of travel info I used to know when I travelled more.
Glad it was helpful!
Window and I agree with all seat pick tips.
The problem with seats near the toilet 🚽 on overnight flights is the constant door banging when you are trying to sleep.Although plane toilet doors fold and aren't as noisy as normal doors they are still noisy with the bolt clicking and whatnot.