Window, for the same reasons others have mentioned: I like watching the takeoff and landing scenery (and looking out the window is my only option while the plane is taxiing, because if I try to read then I get a headache); no worries about being smacked by the bev cart or fellow passengers; and I have a giant bladder and don’t believe I have ever used an airplane rest room (and I’ve been flying for 21 years).
I’m not a big fan of bulkhead seats: I’m only 5’3 so the leg room thing doesn’t matter, and also it means that my carry-on has to be stored overhead during takeoff and landing. I prefer having it under the seat in front of me. Especially because having a bulkhead seat means you’re one of the last to board, and the overhead bins tend to be crammed full by then.
I do agree with others, though, that the row behind the wing is pretty good.
Is that being courteous to the people behind you, though?
It bugs me when the person in front of me reclines their seat: if you’re tired enough you can sleep sitting up – otherwise, wait for the freaking plane to land. Especially on very short flights. Or at least ask the person behind you if they would mind! I like to use the tray for my book, walkman, laptop, etc. (sometimes even a drink or meal), and when the seat in front of me is reclined the damn tray nearly severs my midsection.
Aisle - I am large (6’ 1", 300#, wide shouldered) and I don’t fit very well into window seats (the curve cuts into my shoulder space and I end up “listing” to one side, causing backaches).
Aisle, all the way. I have a couple bad discs in my back and I can’t sit in one spot for long stretches. I don’t want to have to climb over people, so I take the aisle seat. Also, I DO stretch my leg out into the aisle, but keep it close enough to the row of seats so as not to be a bother. Plus, I have a small bladder and a touch of claustrophobia. The extra space of the aisle relieves that a bit.
Definitely window. Although I’m fairly tall (189 cm), I can’t resist staring out the window, even when it’s all cloudy and I only see the city from above for a few minutes. The supposed leg room afforded by an aisle is problematic–I can’t stretch out because then people trip over my legs and I constantly have to move them out of the way for the clumsy and the attendants’ carts.
AHEM!!! I happen to BE one of those itty bitty bladder people. We’re human too ya know
Anyway, always aisle, and I pick my seat WELLLL before the flight, and even call a few days before to make sure. AND I make sure that they know why I must have the seat. I would hate to disturb my seatmates because of my need to visit the ladies’ once an hour or so.
Now that I’ve got the lovely plates and screws in my leg, it’s left side of the plane for me too, so that I can stretch my “bad” leg out.
If you’re talking about the seats with the exit doors, I’ve been on flights, just came back on a Virgin flight from London, where they wanted to charge me an extra 50 GBP, or almost $100 for the pleasure of sitting there. I don’t think they have the rules of being fit or anything like that. I know I’m not paying for the extra room. The woman who was sitting there offered to switch with me as she didn’t want it. For some reason she didn’t have to pay. Bastards.
Window. My legs are long, and I always get bumped by the carts or people if I’m in he aisle seat. Window seats are easier to sleep in, and my bladder is okay for reasonably long flights. Though I get up when the person in the aisle does, usually.
It is interesting that the claustrophobes like the window. My wife is, and she needs the aisle seat, since the overhead compartments disturb her, and she feels they are further away in the aisle seat.
Aisle. I am broad across the shoulders (elsewhere, too, but broadest at the shoulders), and I find having an aisle seat more comfortable. I can lean in briefly for carts, and I really don’t mind people who have to get up occasionally. I don’t care about the scenery anymore, I don’t sleep on planes, and I like being the first out of my row when we touch down.
Aisle. I am a claustrophobe, and in the window or gods forbid middle seat, I am close to shrieking and climbing over people within an hour. I’ve got to be able to move without asking anyone else to stave off panic. Being locked in a little box with hundreds of other people is already stressful without being trapped between two seets.
Window - and my husband kindly takes the middle seat without complaint, which I appreciate very much, as I have no desire to talk to the stranger in the aisle seat - I just want to read my book or look out the window in peace. Hubby’s a social, chatty kinda guy anyway. I’m definitely not.
Having been a road warrior, travelling 80 percent of every month, I would rather sit on the aisle. On 5 of my trips…I was trapped in a window seat to which I could not move because the people sitting next to me. They would not budge so I could go to the restroom or get up and stretch on 5 hour trip.
I would rather put up with the bar cart and having to move for other people, than to feel trapped again.
Oh, I don’t actually recline the chair back- unless its a long flight at night and everyone’s asleep- I just sit up straight and don’t slouch in front of the window.
I don’t notice too much of a difference in space when someone in front of me reclines the chair back, but I don’t do it myself because I’d be worried about taking up space that the person behind me needs. Luckily, most of my flights are pretty short, so I manage to live.
The aisle is good in theory and I will always ask for it, but ultimately you end up getting hit by the food carts several times during the flight. And people need to get up to go pee.
I used to be a window girl. I liked watching the scenery to pass the time. But about 5 years ago, I started to develop a fear of flying. I have no idea where it came from, but all I can think of while I’m flying is the physics keeping that tin tube in the air. Banking for a turn really gets me; I have visions of the plane rolling too far and losing it’s lift. :eek: The window seat just exaggerated this fear. Now I sit in the aisle seat because it doesn’t give me the same drop in the stomach when the plane banks.
I always go for the exit door seats because they have more leg room and usually have electrical outlets. Never been charged for one but I’ve never flown overseas either.
I like the window because I’m a dog at heart. If it were possible I’d stick my head out and let my ears and tongue flap in the breeze.
Short flights - the aisle. You can get off the plane quickly.
Long flights- definately the aisle. As other posters have said, in Australia we are so far away that most international flights (well to Europe or America ) take a hell of a time- the aisle again.
A window seat has no views- you see the ocean. And by flying to Europe, you are following the night. So most of it is in darkness.
In a jumbo there are never enouygh toilets. Be in the aisle seat and at least stake a claim!
