Don’t settle for less on your next flight! ✈️ Our blog covers 5 key steps to help you get a better seat, ensuring your travel experience is as comfortable as possible. From advanced bookings to using special perks, discover how to make flying enjoyable! Read more: 5 Steps to Get a Better Seat on a Flight
Air travel has evolved into an experience. It's more than getting on a plane and going from point A to point B. These days, with so much on offer, you need to carefully plan your travel experience and that includes your flights. On this note, let's talk about your potential seating choices on-board.
There are many different views on which is the best seat to choose for your flight and ultimately, you will need to make the decision. The truth, at the end of the day is...there is no perfect seat but you also don't need to have the worst seat in the house!
So, when choosing your seat, take into account the following:
Overwing Exits
Many people want to be seated at overwing exits due to the extra leg room. Good idea... but do you know what conditions come with sitting at an overwing exit? Usually for take off and landing, you cannot have your handbag, jacket, pillows or bags with you. This is for very good reasons as no exits can be obstructed should an emergency evacuation occur. Also, you must be willing to open those exits in an emergency. This isn't a choice. If you are not willing to assist, you will be re-seated.
Aisle Seats
Many people think that choosing an aisle seat is ideal because you don't have to climb over people to go to the lavatory and you can stretch your legs out in the aisle if you are not lucky enough to enjoy extra legroom seats. This is a bad idea. Remember, if you have an aisle seat, you won't have a pretty view from the window, you will be bumped by people during boarding and if bags fall out of the overhead stowages, chances are good that the bag will hit you. Also, stretching your legs out in the aisle is one of the easiest ways to irritate your cabin crew. Choosing an aisle seat also means you can be injured by heavy trolleys. If ever your knees or elbows have been hit by one of these trolleys, you will know that it can be quite painful. If you do happen to choose an aisle seat, good luck and watch those feet.
Window Seats
This is probably one of the best seats in the house and the most coveted seats. Whether or not you enjoy flying, this is probably the best seat to have. It's cooler next to the window and you get to enjoy and amazing view. You can also enjoy leaning your head on the wall panel or cushion however, wipe it with hand sanitizer to wipe off previous oils secreted by the previous passengers' head/hair. The downside to the window seat is that you have to bother other people to get to the lavatory.
Forward or Aft?
Forward generally refers to seats from the overwing exits to the front of the aircraft. Aft refers to the back or rows nearer to the back of the aircraft.
Now, there has been a lot of talk about where the safest seat is in the plane but honestly, no seat if 100% safe. If you comb over aviation statistics, from previous accidents, you will note the the safer places to sit are at the overwing exits or the last 3 rows of the plane. Chances are you wont experience an airline accident in your life but it never hurts to be a smart and prepared traveller. If you are a frequent flyer, try sit near an emergency exit.
Wheelchair Assistance
If you are a passenger that requires the assistance of a wheelchair, try get a seat when checking in, that way you won't have to worry about moving every time someone wants to get to their seat. This is your discretion. If you feel that you might need the to use the lavatories during flight and don't mind moving for others, choose an aisle seat. Another reason for choosing a window seat is also that you will probably disembark last and you wont have to worry about people trying to get passed you.
Food & Beverages
Different airlines have different service procedures depending on the type of aircraft being used for the flight and the amount of cabin crew on board. If you sit in the last rows of the aircraft, it is quite possible that you will be served last which means that the meals might not be as warm as when they first went out and they can also run out of stock on board so choose a seat in the first few rows of economy.
Crappy Seats
Another thing you might want to consider is the location of toilets on the aircraft. If you know that you need to go often, choose a seat closer to the toilet. Be careful of the toilets near the back of the plane. The back sections of a plane are usually the places that turbulence can be felt most on an aircraft. This can make going to the toilet somewhat interesting... Bear in mind when choosing your seat, if you choose a seat closer to the toilets, it's convenient, yes, but you will also have to deal with the constant sound of toilets flushing so prepare yourself for an interrupted sleep.
That's great! Now what?
Now that you have things to think about, weigh up the pro's and con's of the various seating options available. Once you have decided on where you would like a seat, have a look at seating sites such as Seat Guru to see what type of seats are available and where they are before choosing a seat. Sometimes you have to pay to reserve your seat but it's well worth it in the end.
