# Where do you like to sit on a commercial flight? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 8, 2010, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958 "2010-11-08T21:09:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/21 "2010-11-08T23:23:15Z")
_Other (to be difficult)_ I prefer window seats, but I don’t want the sun shining in my face or glaring off a wing, so I try to choose my seat based on that. Eastbound in the morning? Left-side window. Westbound in the morning? Right-side window. Southbound in the morning? Right-side-window. And so on. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/22 "2010-11-08T23:40:06Z")
Long flights I prefer the aisle seat so that I can get up and use the 'loo without disturbing my seatmates. And then I can lay on my husband’s shoulder and take a nap. He _loves_ that. I prefer the front of the plane because we get off the plane sooner. Short flights, I don’t care where I sit. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2010, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/23 "2010-11-08T23:42:03Z")
Window seat, just behind a wing so I can see the engines and control surfaces (I think that’s the right term). ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/24 "2010-11-09T00:33:40Z")
Seven knuckleheads so far it would appear. Window always, towards the front, mainly so I can get off earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/25 "2010-11-09T00:34:15Z")
I’ll assume we are talking purely about Economy/Coach class. There are better/worse seats in the higher classes too, but these are very airline and aircraft specific. In Economy, it depends on the type of aircraft and length of flight. Firstly if there’s an exit row or any other seat with more legroom then that’s the obvious choice, unless it’s a middle seat. I’ll also always go as far forward as my preferred seat will allow. In other words if I want a window and the first available one is in row 15 I won’t take a row 7 aisle just to be closer to the front. Assuming no special seats are available, on a short flight (couple of hours) then I prefer a window seat. On longer flights I prefer an aisle. On a widebody aircraft I’ll take an inside aisle because it limits the number of people who will need to climb over you. Middle seats in the middle section are also the least popular, so it increases my chance of a spare seat next to me. At times I’ve asked the Qantas Club staff just before the flight closes whether moving further back will give me a spare seat next to me. Works occasionally, and is great when it does, given that it can be up to a 24 hour flight. ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/26 "2010-11-09T00:49:55Z")
I prefer window seat, because I rarely need to go to the bathroom during a flight and I like having something to lean against. I’m not fussed though. When I fly with my boyfriend he sits aisle and I sit next to him - he’s tall so he always wants some space for his legs, whereas I’m small enough so that sitting in the middle seat doesn’t bother me too much. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/27 "2010-11-09T00:51:21Z")
Window seat, don’t care where. ---
**Author:** ![RadicalPi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/radicalpi/32/9806_2.png) [@RadicalPi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RadicalPi)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/28 "2010-11-09T00:57:04Z")
I always prefer to sit in a window seat in a place where the wing doesn’t get in the way. Also, and I guess this is a bit strange, I like to sit on the port side. Sitting on the starboard side just strikes me as wrong. I’m not sure why that is. > [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Honestly, I like the window because I’m apparently six years old, and I like watching the takeoff and landing. Oh yes. I don’t really get how people can just sit there reading the paper or whatever while we’re about to hurtle ourselves into the sky at 600 miles an hour. It’s really a bit of a shame that air travel has managed to turn itself into something people loathe (often even me, but not during “action” time). ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/29 "2010-11-09T01:03:33Z")
I prefer first class and not near a crying baby. Other than that, do not care. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/30 "2010-11-09T01:04:21Z")
I’m a little claustrophobic, so I prefer aisle – less closed in. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/31 "2010-11-09T01:05:50Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Seven knuckleheads so far it would appear. Eight now! In the bad old days when they decided bringing lotion on the plane made you a terrorist, I didn’t care if I sat in the front or back. Getting off the plane first only meant you’d be the first standing around in baggage claim. Now that they’ve decided more than 3 oz of lotion (actually, it can be as much as you want, so long as it is stored in separate, 3 oz containers :rolleyes:) makes you a terrorist, and I’ve summoned the patience to squeeze all my toiletries into those tiny little bottles, I prefer the front. Always the window. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/32 "2010-11-09T01:10:33Z")
Aisle, and it isn’t a preference. If I’m not sitting aisle, I ain’t flying. I’ve flown too much to be the slightest bit interested in the view, unless I’m headed to Hawaii. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/33 "2010-11-09T01:19:55Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Aisle, and it isn’t a preference. If I’m not sitting aisle, I ain’t flying. I’ve flown too much to be the slightest bit interested in the view, unless I’m headed to Hawaii. It’s not the view (although that’s nice.) It’s the ability to lean your head against the hull of the aircraft to aid in sleeping. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/34 "2010-11-09T01:23:13Z")
I used to have a horrible fear of flying, yet for some reason now, I feel a lot more comfortable when I have a window seat. I also like being in the back. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/35 "2010-11-09T01:24:44Z")
Window. I’m a mapmaker, and so I always want to know what town that is down there. Usually I have the sectional charts with me so I know. I just wish more people would ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/36 "2010-11-09T01:26:32Z")
Bulkhead seat, preferably on the aisle. I’ve seen something in the news recently suggesting airlines will start charging extra for those seats. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/37 "2010-11-09T01:28:33Z")
> [@Mr\_Downtown](#): > > Window. I’m a mapmaker, and so I always want to know what town that is down there. Usually I have the sectional charts with me so I know. I just wish more people would ask me. “Ethel, look at that guy with the maps staring out the window. Ask him if he’s a terrorist, or just a Russian spy.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/38 "2010-11-09T02:13:22Z")
I usually prefer window, but as I get older I’m probably better off being on the aisle. Front or back? Well, it all gets to the location at the same time . . . ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/39 "2010-11-09T02:18:47Z")
In smaller planes the back can be pretty noisy. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958/40 "2010-11-09T02:19:54Z")
I don’t care. There are pros and cons to each. When I’m flying with my husband, I usually get the aisle because he hates it–he is tall and always gets banged by the beverage cart or people going by. I do not, so I have no real preference. As far as where we are on the actual plane, the front is more dangerous but faster, the back is safer but you’re waiting forever to get off the plane. The middle is a good compromise except you might be in the emergency exit row, and I don’t like that much responsibility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-you-like-to-sit-on-a-commercial-flight/559958.md?page=3)