The best seats on the plane. How to choose the best seat?

Let's be frank, for those who travel frequently, a good seat on the plane is simply essential. Sitting, for instance, in the middle row surrounded by a few "fairly plump" fellow passengers on both sides isn't very pleasant. Or ending up in the back row where there might not be a window or a seat isn’t wise either, and being close to the restroom (constant movement and other drawbacks) doesn’t predispose you to comfort.

Therefore, to have a great time, it's necessary to know where the best seats on the plane are.

Window Seat

Advantages

If you plan to sleep or, let's say, read, which requires better lighting, the best option would be a seat by the window.

Firstly, no one will "sneak" through your seat to get to theirs and disturb you, and secondly, the wonderful view of the clouds and their whimsical shapes will keep you entertained, especially on short trips. However, this depends on the time of the flight: unfortunately, at night, you'll have little chance to enjoy the view.

Disadvantages

It's harder to get up from such a seat, for example, to go to the restroom. You'll have to disturb your neighbors.

Aisle Seat

Advantages

This is extremely convenient since you can stretch your legs into the aisle, easily get up, go to the restroom, and also manage to reach the exit a bit faster after the plane lands.

Disadvantages

Various people and flight attendants will pass by you with trolleys. Sometimes they may bump into you. These are among the most troublesome seats. You'll also have to stand up every time your neighbors want to get up.

Middle Seats

It combines the advantages and disadvantages of window and aisle seats. It's quieter than aisle seats and easier to get up from than a window seat. However, you'll have to let your neighbor pass if they want to get out.

Seats Near Emergency Exits

More often than not, the backs of seats in these rows are fixed or have a very slight recline angle. This is to avoid blocking the emergency exit hatches.

Seats are located at the front of the cabin. If snack service starts from the "nose" of the plane, then the front rows offer comfort and a variety of beverage and food choices.

Typically, if a seat is located at the back of the plane, the passenger's choice of assortment is limited (everything is distributed upfront). Additionally, the first row is an excellent opportunity to disembark among the first passengers.

However, there are downsides here too – often, bassinet holders are installed in the front, and this is where passengers with small children can be found.

This doesn't provide the desired comfort, especially if you plan to work or relax. Anyone who has traveled next to a child who cried continuously during a 7-hour flight will understand.

Seats are located at the rear of the plane. The only, but very significant advantage of this location is its relative safety. According to U.S. statistics, of all passengers who survived crashes, 67% were seated directly in the rear of the plane.

If the airport is not equipped with telescopic exits, passengers will most likely disembark simultaneously through both the front and rear sections. If such situations occur, you will be among the first to exit the plane.

I'll also note that on "low-occupancy" flights, the rear seats are usually vacant. Thus, you can comfortably sleep across three seats at once.

Front Row - A row with no seats in front of it. If your row is the first (this can mean not only the physical "first row" but also the first row after another class of service or the first row in one of the cabin sections with no seats in front), then a big plus of such a location is that no one will recline their seat back in front of you, and in conditions of limited space between rows in the economy class, this can be significant.

Among the drawbacks, it's worth noting that most likely there will be a bulkhead or a galley/toilet in front of you. Some passengers don't want to look at a "wall" for the entire flight. Also, baby bassinet attachments can be placed on the bulkhead. For more drawbacks, refer above.

Last Row - A row with no seats behind it. Most likely, the seat backs are not flexible enough or are restricted in this regard. This happens when there's an emergency exit, toilet, galley, another technical area, or a wall behind you.

Here's a brief list of good/bad seats that travelers can expect. However, it should be noted that the interior layout of aircraft varies significantly, and this factor also needs to be taken into account.

In addition to the seating arrangement in rows of 2, 3, 4, it's necessary to consider the distance between seats, the number of classes in the cabin, and other features. Because the same airline uses different types of aircraft for flights.

Tips on how to get the best seats.

Information about the aircraft model, the smallest details of cabin comfort (availability of TV, power outlets, seat pitch, toilet location) can easily be found on the airline's website or our website.

If you know exactly which seat you need, this issue can be resolved during airport check-in (seats are allocated there, after online check-in, they remain available). If you're still unsure about seat placement, ask for a seating plan of the aircraft cabin - all available seats will be marked with the corresponding color.

Also, during airport check-in, you can simply request seats by the "window," near the "aisle," etc. The staff definitely won't refuse you.

The iPhone app "Jets" turned out to be very useful and beneficial for travelers. Here you can find complete information about the desired flight, learn which seats on the plane are the best and which have various drawbacks.

In modern airports, you can use self-check-in kiosks and choose a suitable seat. This can also be done by registering online on the chosen airline's website - this way you'll save time. Such services are already offered by major airlines. Soon, this option will be available on our website as well. If seats are reserved in this way, the first registered individuals will be provided with a full range of available seats.

Whenever possible, opt for less crowded routes - in this case, flight comfort will significantly increase, as you'll have the opportunity (if desired) to even sleep across three vacant seats (details in our article - good seats), especially when the route isn't fully booked.

The busiest days are Sunday and Friday, with peak times in the morning and evening. If you have the time, choose a flight on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, around noon or in the afternoon.

Consider the flight direction - by choosing the right seat, the sun won't dazzle us with its rays: East - West (sun shines from the left), West - East (from the right). If you need to travel on a morning route, then the North - South direction will delight us with the sun on the left side, while South - North will have it on the right.

How to avoid accidentally choosing the worst seats:

• If possible, study the layout of the aircraft you'll be flying on.
• If possible, clarify with the airline representative.
• Before the flight, decide what's more important to you - a window view or the ability to get up from your seat without trouble, for example, to use the restroom. By studying the cabin layout, choose the most suitable seats, following the same rules described in this article.
• Avoid choosing seats in the back of the plane, near the restroom, galley (kitchen), and other technical areas.
• Avoid choosing seats with inflexible or restricted seat backs.
• Avoid choosing seats between emergency exits or seats behind them.

In case you "end up" in such an uncomfortable seat:

If you've been assigned a ticket for a not very comfortable seat, immediately after landing, you have a few minutes to take a more comfortable available seat (if, of course, there are available seats). It's better not to hesitate and take the best seat yourself than to wait for the flight attendant's help. After the last person boards the plane and the flight attendant announces "Boarding completed," you have five minutes to occupy a comfortable available seat.

Time is limited because after takeoff, standing up from the passenger seat will be strictly prohibited. Well, after takeoff, most likely, all the seats on the plane, including some of the most comfortable ones, will be taken by slightly more skilled and experienced passengers. But don't worry about it. You can take your rightful seat (according to your ticket) at any time.

However, it's better to choose the most comfortable seat right at check-in.

Have a pleasant flight and we wish you a smooth landing!