How to Choose a Comfortable Seat on an Airplane: Basics for Travelers

“There’s nowhere to put your feet, and there’s an endless stream of people wanting to go to the bathroom. It’s a big airliner, but there’s nowhere to sit!” – the would-be passenger before buying airline tickets thinks. Let’s find out where to sit on the plane to get a good night’s sleep or to work in comfort.

What to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Seat

The layout of the seats depends on the model of the plane. On large passenger airliners, seats may be arranged not in the usual two rows with one aisle between them, but in three. The popular Boeing 737 has several different configurations. For the exact seating arrangements, please refer to the carrier’s website.

Usually the passenger is assigned a seat at random, unless, of course, the traveler has booked it when buying a ticket. Most airlines charge for this service. You can also choose your seat when you check in for the flight, but keep in mind that the best ones may be taken at that moment.

What is important when choosing a seat? The length of the flight and how you plan to spend your time en route. If you’re not flying more than an hour and a half or two hours, then you don’t need to spend money on the seat option. But for a multi-hour flight, it’s worth giving it some thought, especially if there’s no WiFi access and you can distract yourself from uncomfortability with betting at 22Bet Deutschland or talking to your friends online.

Seats From the Nose to the Tail

It’s hard to call the nose of the plane the most perfect, as well as the tail of the plane the worst. There are pros and cons everywhere. There’s a reason we said it’s important to understand how you plan to spend your travel time.

The Nose of the Plane

Pros:

• Passengers in the first row are most at ease – you can stretch your legs comfortably without resting against the seat in front.
• The nose of the airliner is ideally suited for traveling with children. There is a place for a cradle or a stroller.
• Those flying in the front of the aircraft will be able to leave faster than others and get to passport control. But this bonus will only work if those who arrive at the airport exit the plane by the sleeve and go straight to the terminal building. If people are picked up from the airplane by the apron bus, passengers in the forward section will still have the advantage of being able to take their seats and stow their heavy luggage.
• On most airliners, food and beverages are distributed from the head end of the plane. Therefore, passengers seated there are in an advantageous position – they have a choice between fish and chicken. Only fish usually make it to the tail of the plane.

Cons:

• Just the fact that there is plenty of room in the nose of the plane makes it attractive to parents with children, including infants. If you expect to sleep or work during the flight, be prepared that the children’s crying will interfere.
• In front of the first row is sometimes placed business class, separated by a partition from the cabin. In this case, there isn’t much leg room.

The forward part is suitable for passengers with babies and people of high stature. And those who can’t stand the proximity of small children will be uncomfortable here. But even in this case there is a solution – choose seats on the plane a few rows farther from the front of the aircraft in advance.

The Middle of the Plane

Pros:

• For people who are afraid to fly, the middle of the plane is the optimal place. Above the wings jolts and jolts are less sensitive.
• The emergency exits are close. In the hustle and bustle, there’s a better chance of getting to them quickly.

Cons:

• If the porthole is over the wing, you can forget about the beautiful view – it will block almost the entire view.
• The noise of the engines is louder here than in the head end of the airliner.
• The center of the plane is one of the busiest places on board. This is where passengers meet, going to and from the restroom, as well as those who are stretching their tired legs.

People with a fear of flying will feel more confident in the middle of the plane.

Back

Pros:

• Let’s go in from the trump card – Statistically, the highest percentage of survivors of plane crashes is among passengers who flew in the tail of the airliner.
• Tickets in the back of the plane can be cheaper.
• Quite often there are empty seats next door – if you raise the armrests, you get a full seat where you can stretch out.
• For people who frequently need to use the restroom, it’s easier to control the availability of free stalls and not run across the plane.
• There are usually fewer children in the tail of the ship, and almost no joyful hubbub of kids from the bow of the airliner.

Cons:

• Passengers at the tail end of the plane experience the full range of sensations of turbulence – jolting and falling into air pits are felt here more intensely.
• The backs of the seats in the last row do not go down – there is a toilet cubicle behind them, and you can constantly hear the sound of flushing water.
• Large lines of people who want to go to the bathroom. Comfortable rest in such conditions is hardly possible.

What Else to Consider When Choosing a Seat on a Plane

Now we want to explain a few more things so that you can know where you should sit on the plane.

Seats Near Emergency Exits

We’ve already said that the lucky people who sit here will lead the column of escapees during an evacuation. But there is another powerful advantage: there is much more space between the seats near the emergency exits – you can stretch your legs and get to your seat without disturbing your sleeping neighbors.Hand luggage isn’t allowed to be kept in the legs, you have to put everything on the shelf – safety rules don’t restrict access to the escape hatches.

There is another restriction related to ticketing in this part of the aircraft: it’s forbidden to land passengers with children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with health limitations. In case of an emergency, it’s the strong and physically fit people who should come to the crew’s aid in opening the emergency exit.

Porthole

The place near the porthole is perfect: you can lean against the wall and watch the scenery outside the window. The only disadvantage is that you have to wade through sleeping neighbors if you need to get away. By the way, it sometimes happens that the passenger gets a seat near the porthole, but you can see only a little bit of it – the main part is in front of the neighbor.

When booking a seat it’s worth studying the seating plan carefully. This rule also applies when buying a seat near wings of the aircraft – there is a risk that instead of clouds you will admire the glittering in the sun hull of the airliner.

Aisle Seat

On the one hand these seats are uncomfortable in terms of peace of mind – very close to the flight attendants will carry carts and pass containers of food and drinks through you. Your neighbors will be constantly asking to be let out. But when you have a long flight, the aisle seat is a lifesaver – you can stand up at any time to stretch or stretch your legs into the aisle (making sure no one is there).

The most popular time of day for air travelers is morning and evening, and the most congested days are Friday and Sunday. Try to buy tickets for other flights – you have more choice, and it’s quieter in the cabin.