Aisle. I was once trapped next to the window on a transatlantic flight, because the two businessmen next to me fell asleep as soon as we took off; and short of crawling over them, I couldn’t get out to go to the washroom. And after a couple of hours, I really had to go!
I’ve done a number of longhaul flights since then, and for that reason, it’s always been the aisle for me. Well, even on shorter flights too. And emergency exit row if possible–I like the legroom.
But you’ve got the overhead bin right overhead … shudder
Window seat, I love to watch the scenery. Which side of the plane is also critical. I prefer the side of the plane that will be away from the sun as much as possible. So if I’m flying south in the morning, I want the starboard side.
Exit rows are great when you can get them, the trouble is if they’re over a wing then that blows the scenery. If the gods of airlines would hear my prayers, they would make it so the seats do not reclline back and take off the knees of the poor guy behind you. Then the exit rows wouldn’t be as important. Nothing ruins a flight more than some bimbo in front of me ramming her seat into my knees.
Window seat, with my face pressed right up against the glass most of the way.
Same choice, same reasons. I like to lean on the wall and nap, usually using a bunched-up scarf as a pillow.
I like to be near the front, too, so I can get off the plane quickly without having to wait for everyone to wrestle their bags from the overheads.
I was always an exit row person - mainly because there was a tad bit more leg room and when I was MO, it was a Godsend. I still prefer to sit there…mainly because they don’t put kids in exit rows 
VCNJ~
I can hold my bladder pretty welll, and I like the scenery, so I always try to take a window seat.
I get annoyed when I’m trying to sleep on an aisle seat and somebody has to go to the bathroom. I mean, I know I shouldn’t be annoyed but it’s just one of those things.
No kidding! Awesome is the word, all right!
I like the window. So does my husband. It’s not pretty.
I am so doped up on flights that I really don’t care where I sit. Aka, I usually get the dreaded middle seat while whomever I am flying with has the window or aisle.
Flying before pills meant a very messy, crying panic attack for about half the flight, after which I’d wear myself out so badly that I usually fell asleep for the second half. I am NOT a good flying partner, unfortunately 
.
I’m a travel agent. About 3/4 of the people who state a seat preference ask for an aisle seat, especially tall people. People with children traveling like to give their kids a window seat so they can see the view outside. As for me, I like the window seat so that I can see the clouds and the ground below, and at night I like to see all the lights. It’s not often I get to see the world from over 30,000 feet up.
My long legs, big feet, and bad left knee trump everything else. I want the aisle seat on the right side of the aisle. Gimme the exit door row for the extra legroom, and some planes have extra room way at the front of the cabin. If I can straighten out my bad knee every now and then, it really helps. Most of the time, my knees are hard against the seatback ahead. I like the view through the window, but I have to stack my feet in the window seat. The last four flights were on smaller Embraeur planes, and I couldn’t even stand up straight until I got off the plane.
Cockpit for me too, and I have been lucky enough to sit there. A month before 9/11 I got to jump seat both ways on flights from NY to London. I’m probably one of the last people who ever got to do that.
Escape row - the one over the wing. I’m 6’4" and need the legroom.
And I thought engineers were the most trusting of technology. Or wait, is exactly because of your occupation that you mistrust it? With a little luck I’ll forget all about this thread by the next time I fly.
If I’m on an MD80 and can get a window seat in one on the side where the seats are in pairs, that’s my preference. Like JohnDiFool I like to have the window in case there actually is something interesting to look at, but there usually isn’t apart from takeoffs and landings. Coming into LAX at night is always fun.
But if I’m on the side where the seats are in threes, or another aircraft besides the MD80, then I prefer the aisle.
Then again, nobody’s mentioned the best seat of all: the one with a vacant seat next to it.
Window, because I can see my house from this angle.
By those motherfucking snakes.
It’s the same for me. Another reason to love the window seat: you don’t get knocked around by people going up and down the aisle. But I’ll sacrifice window for aisle to get closer to the front.
Bingo 
P.S. I’m a bit flattered that you remember that I’m an engineer.
Flying is OK, I hate the taking off and landing part of it all. I will always take a window seat and an hr. before I will take my Bonine before takeoff. I get airsick really easily. Plus when, depending if it’s night or day the view out the window is glorious.
I don’t care, as long as it’s First Class (business is acceptable in a trip-7).