How to Select the Perfect Airplane Seat

The most significant step you can take to enhance your flying experience, especially on long journeys, is to pick the ideal seat on the aircraft. At least for your class of service. But how do you make that choice? There are various factors to consider beyond just the aisle or window preference. Here’s what you should know.

1. What are the various seat types available on an airplane?

Not all airplane seats are created equal, even in business class. Whether you prefer an aisle or window seat, or one towards the front or back, understanding which option suits you best can mean the difference between a comfortable journey and a cramped experience.

The aisle seat

Choosing an aisle seat offers two key advantages, especially on long-haul flights. First, you can get up whenever you like without disturbing your seatmates, whether to use the restroom, stretch your legs, or grab a snack. Second, it allows for the crucial act of extending your legs into the aisle—a necessity if you’re tall like me.

However, sitting in an aisle seat means you’re at the mercy of your fellow passengers. They might ask you to move or try to climb over you, which often results in some disturbance during the flight. Additionally, you’re susceptible to aisle traffic—people bumping into you, cabin crew navigating drink carts, and bags falling from overhead compartments.

The window seat

For the most spectacular views and a place to rest your head, opt for a window seat. Just be prepared to feel a bit confined and don’t mind bothering your neighbors; it’s a popular choice for many travelers.

However, be cautious—booking a window seat doesn’t guarantee there will be a window. Some aircraft have missing or obstructed windows, like the notorious seat 11A on budget airline Ryanair, so it’s wise to verify before you finalize your booking.

In business class, some airlines may have staggered seating arrangements, which means that a window seat might not be directly next to a window, or could have a shelf or storage space between them.

Pro tip: when I travel in Economy with my girlfriend, we reserve an aisle and a window seat, leaving the middle seat empty. Since most people avoid the middle seat unless necessary, we often end up with an extra seat between us. If not, I’ve never encountered a middle-seat passenger who wouldn’t trade for an aisle or window seat. It’s definitely worth a shot!

The bulkhead seat

Bulkhead seats are located in the first row at the front of the cabin or immediately after a dividing wall. They usually provide additional legroom compared to standard row seats, which is why budget (and some full-service) airlines often consider them a premium feature and charge extra for them. However, there's more to consider.

That extra legroom can be deceiving. While you do gain more space for your knees and longer legs, that solid wall prevents you from stretching your legs under the seat in front, even for a moment. This extra space often makes them a popular choice for those traveling with infants, but not necessarily the preferred spot for other passengers.

Bulkhead seats are typically situated near the galley and restrooms, which can make them noisy, crowded, and sometimes unpleasant. During busy times, you might find yourself surrounded by passengers waiting to access the restroom. Additionally, for movie enthusiasts, you’ll have to tuck your screen under the seat during takeoff and landing, resulting in less viewing time compared to a regular seat.

The exit row seat

Similar to bulkhead seats, exit row seats provide extra legroom, which is why many airlines impose additional fees for them. My preferred choice in Economy for long-haul flights (depending on the price, of course), but they do have some drawbacks.

On long-haul flights, certain wide-body aircraft feature large compartments extending from the exit door that house the inflatable emergency slides. These can significantly limit your space if you’re seated by the window.

In planes with two rows of emergency exit seats, the seats in the front row cannot recline to ensure clear access to the door. (This applies to the seats directly in front of the exit row as well, so steer clear of those.) You’ll also need to store your belongings properly during takeoff and landing to keep the exit pathway unobstructed.

Pro tip: Exit row seats tend to be colder than the rest of the cabin, so if you’ve chosen one, be sure to bring enough clothing to stay warm. I never travel without thick socks and a hoodie—many airlines even charge for borrowing a blanket nowadays.

Back row seat

Barely edging out the seats in front of the emergency exit and the dividing bulkhead, back row seats earn the title of the worst seats on the plane.

Positioned against the rear cabin wall, these seats have limited or no recline, and some are narrower due to the aircraft’s tapering fuselage. Aisle seats aren’t much of an improvement, as they’re located close to the rear toilets and galley, resulting in noise, queuing passengers, and unpleasant odors.

2. What does airline seat pitch mean?

Seat pitch refers to the distance between corresponding points on two seats, one directly in front of the other. Measured in inches or centimeters, a greater pitch indicates more space available.

In the Economy class of most airlines, seat pitch is generally between 30-31 inches, with some seats extending to 32 inches and others reduced to 29 inches. One issue with pitch measurements is that they don’t account for varying seat designs and additional features like footrests, tray tables, and the structure that supports the seat.

In other words, take seat pitch measurements with a grain of salt regarding their actual benefits in real life.

3. Where’s the best spot to sit in Economy?

Once you’ve chosen whether you prefer the aisle or the window, consider if you’re willing to pay extra for a bulkhead or exit row seat. If so, I always recommend the exit row for the extra space and the assurance that you won’t be seated next to babies or young children.

If that’s not the case, I typically opt for one of two choices: a window seat as near the front of the cabin as possible for easy and quick disembarkation, or a seat midway down the back half of the plane, but a few rows ahead of the galley and restrooms. While this area can be noisier, it often has more open seats, providing extra space.

4. What other strategies can I use to select the best airline seat?

If you’re truly dedicated to finding the ideal seat, consider the specific aircraft you’ll be flying on. Many routes are served by various airlines using different planes, some of which may be better than others.

You don’t need to be a plane spotting expert. For long-haul flights, choose a Boeing 787 Dreamliner or Airbus A350 if they are available. These aircraft are spacious, quieter, and more modern, featuring higher cabin pressure and humidity, which can lessen the impact of jet lag. Plus, they have large windows.

For different aircraft, understanding the seat layout is essential for your success. Most short-haul flights feature a 2-2 or 3-3 configuration, limiting your options to two or three seats on either side of the aisle.

Long-haul aircraft are wider, offering three seating configurations such as 2-3-2, 3-3-3, or 3-4-3. In the case of the first and last options, choosing a seat on either end is better than sitting in the middle column, where you’re away from both the window and aisle access. With a 3-3-3 layout, an aisle seat in the middle section results in only one seatmate to potentially disturb you. The most favorable layout is 2-3-2, where sitting on either side guarantees you an aisle or window seat every time.

How was this guide developed?

Standing at 6'2', traveling in Economy poses a constant challenge for me, and enduring a long-haul middle seat ranks among my worst nightmares (which sadly occurs all too often). To spare myself the cramped discomfort of an unsuitable seat, I've refined my skills over many years of flying to master the art of finding the best seat. Just to be clear: I only transitioned from being a dedicated aisle seat flyer to a firm window seat advocate in the past five years.

Regardless of how comfortable you may feel, time tends to drag during long flights. These articles on flying tips and activities to do on a plane provide some fantastic ideas to help alleviate the monotony.

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Are seats located over the wings the best choice?

Choosing a seat over the wings ensures a smoother takeoff, flight, and landing. This area experiences the perfect balance of gravity and lift, making it the most stable part of the plane, less affected by turbulence compared to the nose and tail. If you’re prone to motion sickness, this is the ideal spot for you.

The engines of the plane are positioned beneath the wings, making seats over or behind the wings noisier compared to those in front.

Which seat is the safest on a plane?

Airlines claim there isn’t a single safest seat on an aircraft in the event of an emergency, as numerous factors can affect the outcome. However, data suggests that seats near an exit in the front or a middle seat in the rear third of the aircraft tend to have lower fatality rates. Regardless of where you sit, flying remains the safest mode of transportation according to the NSC.