I’m often asked what seat I would recommend on an airplane flight, window seat or aisle seat?
There are a few things I look for on a flight, if it’s a domestic, short flight, I don’t mind the aisle seat. If I’m on an international flight, most of the time, I’m going to select a window seat.
But that may change. And I’ll explain why.
MY CASE FOR THE WINDOW SEAT
THE POSITIVES:
The best part of the Window Seat, you can rest your head on a long flight, you can shoot video or take pictures from the window and you have control of the window (as there are some people who like to keep their windows open while everyone is sleeping).
THE NEGATIVES:
Unfortunately, if you need to stretch your legs or use the restroom, depending on the person you sit with, the experience will either be positive or negative. Often I have to disturb someone from their sleep when I have to use the restroom. And most of all cases, it’s been cool!
But in my most recent flight, I had a person who was pure salty. She was comfortable and had no interest of getting up and I couldn’t go to the bathroom.
JUDGMENT CALL:
How important is resting your head on that wall during long flight? How important is it to record video or take photos from the plane? How important is it for you to not be disturbed as much? The window seat offers many plus but if you are the type that has to stretch and go to the restroom too often, the window seat is not for you.
MY CASE FOR THE AISLE SEAT
THE POSITIVES:
The best part of the aisle seat, want to go to the bathroom or want to get up and stretch your legs and go for a walk. You can! Want to get out of your seat first after arriving to your destination and get your bag from the bin, you can! You can also get the attention of a flight attendant easier.
THE NEGATIVES:
Unfortunately, the person in the window or middle seat will be waking you up often to go to the bathroom or if they need to walk around and stretch your legs. You have no wall to rest your head or neck. Small chance the person in the middle may fall asleep and put their head on your shoulder.
JUDGMENT CALL:
How important is resting your head on that wall during long flight? How important is it to record video or take photos from the plane? How important is sleep to you that you don’t want to be disturbed often? The aisle seat offers positives for those who want to stand up, stretch, walk and those who want to go to the bathroom.
As for how I get the seat I want, when I purchase my tickets, you typically can choose and if you are working with a travel agent, you can ask them. If you order your tickets many months in advance, they are also quite helpful in finding a seat that best suits you (if available).
But what do most people choose?
According to the USA Today travel among a poll of 4.4 thousand people, the answer that most people voted for the aisle seat.
And last but not least, I will ALWAYS sit in the side row and I will NEVER sit in the center section, nor a center seat. Having people who sleep, their heads resting on your shoulder, drooling on your shoulder, snoring in your ear. Just not a good experience. And in my case, I had it in stereo, with people on the left and right of me on both my shoulders. And after that experience, never again!
But having shot so much video in the air and landing at an airport, depending on the circumstance and where I’m flying, I think I may look towards the aisle seat from here on in. But I must admit, having that wall to hold my neck pillow is quite convenient via a window seat was quite nice. But I suppose it depends on the circumstance of where I’m flying.
But if you haven’t flown on an airplane that many times, then take a chance of experimenting a window seat on the flight to your destination and an aisle seat back (or vice versa).
