# Airline seat preference poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 19, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838 "2018-03-19T19:03:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/1 "2018-03-19T19:03:01Z")
A very simple poll: When you fly, what is your favorite place to sit on the plane? I added an option for airplanes with a 2 4 2 seating arrangement, which I’ve seen on a lot of Airbus planes. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/2 "2018-03-19T19:05:55Z")
Near back of the airplane, middle row, on the very rightmost aisle seat. That way: 1. I am close to the restrooms 2. I get an aisle seat 3. My right arm is not obstructed (and I can use a pen to write in a notebook) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/3 "2018-03-19T19:11:58Z")
Window. I have the gift that I can generally just switch off at will, but that’s a lot harder when you’re getting jostled on both sides the whole flight. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/4 "2018-03-19T19:16:30Z")
The aisle. Ideally I am flying on a smaller jet that has a row that is just a single seat. I always will take one of those. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/5 "2018-03-19T19:16:51Z")
I prefer aisle seats, especially for longer flights, so that I can get out of my seat\* without bothering other people. I mind other people bothering me less than I mind myself bothering other people. \*Usual reasons for getting out of my seat are not surprising, i.e. going to use the bathroom, and stretching my legs. Occasionally to go get water or something, but that’s mostly an excuse to stretch my legs. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/6 "2018-03-19T19:19:57Z")
For any flight over 90 minutes, I’m going with an aisle seat, and usually towards the back of the plane, unless I’ve got a very tight connection. An aisle seat allows me to stretch my legs a bit and makes it easy to get to the bathroom. Since I fly only for leisure, I’m almost always having a cocktail on the flight and if it’s a morning flight, I’m certainly having a coffee. I’ll take the window if it is a short flight and there’s a chance of a good view. Phoenix to Vegas or Dublin to London. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/7 "2018-03-19T19:24:17Z")
I used to choose the window, but now I prefer the aisle. But it’s been almost 4 years since I last flew, and I don’t know if I’ll ever have to fly again. Which suits me fine. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/8 "2018-03-19T19:37:25Z")
Aisle, unless it’s a flight I plan to sleep on, in which case I’ll go for the window so I can lean my head against it. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/9 "2018-03-19T19:39:38Z")
Aisle. I’m tall, and I’ll cheat my legs into the aisle if I can. And get up once in a while as well, which is easier without having to “excuse me, excuse me, gotta get through” with the other seats in my half-row. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/10 "2018-03-19T19:42:58Z")
Aisle (I am in the “I get up too much to bother the people on the aisle” club), unless it’s a short hop (hour or less from gate to gate) and I don’t have a connection, in which case I will usually take a window seat. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/11 "2018-03-19T19:46:45Z")
I don’t really fly due to the expense and hassle, but window seat would be my preference. I like to see outside. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/12 "2018-03-19T19:51:46Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Aisle, unless it’s a flight I plan to sleep on, in which case I’ll go for the window so I can lean my head against it. +1 mc ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/13 "2018-03-19T20:01:30Z")
Window seat for me–the only flights I’ve taken in the last 10 years have been between San Jose and San Diego and I love getting that birds-eye view of California. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/14 "2018-03-19T20:16:15Z")
Aisle. I have a feeling I may need to cut and run anytime I am anywhere. I always check exits and hidey places. Not sure where I would run to on a plane, but still. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/15 "2018-03-19T20:22:12Z")
I used to prefer window, but now with increasing age I prefer aisle for bathroom purposes. Window seats are easier to sleep in, but I have a hard time sleeping on planes anyhow so proximity to the john wins out. I prefer back of the plane also, since you can line up for the bathroom there but not in the front. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/16 "2018-03-19T20:47:05Z")
Nearly always window, I actually like to take photos from the plane and watch the scenery flow by. And it’s easier to sleep. But on long haul flights (over 8 hours) I will often choose aisle. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/17 "2018-03-19T21:11:06Z")
Aisle, but it really doesn’t matter, as I fly first class nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Wolf333](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf333/32/3460_2.png) [@Wolf333](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolf333)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/18 "2018-03-19T22:08:38Z")
I haven’t flown in over a decade, but when I did I preferred the window. The sound and vibrations tended to knock me right out\*. I didn’t really need to worry about bathroom breaks, as I would sleep through most of the meal and drink services. \*I’ve actually fallen asleep during both take-offs and landings. ---
**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/19 "2018-03-19T22:31:54Z")
I have always preferred a window seat so I can read and see any scenery, and not get jostled by passersby. Bathroom visits are becoming more frequent for me now, so an aisle seat may be in my future. But with any luck I will never fly again. The last time was for a rare group business flight, and the two before that were for funerals, so that’s three times in twenty years. I hate the way everyone gets treated like criminals or cattle (criminal cattle?) and on top of that I have started to get headaches from the pressurization. I will happily drive 12 hours instead of taking a three hour flight. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2018, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838/20 "2018-03-19T22:33:02Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Aisle. I’m tall, and I’ll cheat my legs into the aisle if I can. This. Although for the leg room from scoring the exit row, anywhere in the exit row, is pretty awesome. A long flight is pretty much scheduled nap time for me anyway. It’s still nice to stretch out occasionally. In some ways that makes flying for me like snapshot of a cat’s life. Naps interspersed with brief waking periods for stretching and snacks. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/airline-seat-preference-poll/810838.md?page=2)