Over the years, I’ve gone from being an ”always aisle seat” guy on planes, to being an ”always window seat” guy. It has no doubt been a gradual transition. First I’d select aisle seats no matter what, then I’d select window seats only on shorter flights, then I’d select window seats only when in premium…
Continue reading: 6 Reasons I Prefer Window Seats To Aisle Seats When Flying
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
+1 for window seats especially in economy. I rarely need and never want to use the economy lav .
I do enjoy the view but most important is comfort. My shoulders are wider than an econ seat and I get bumped by FA's and other passengers when I'm in the aisle seat, the window seat allows a little extra space for my shoulders which makes a but difference.
That's very considerate of you. While I never mind getting up to let my seatmates go pp it's nicer if I don't have to do it repeatedly.
I didn't even know Condor had business class. I thought Condor was all high density coach for cheapskates from the EU on package holidays.
Window 100% of the time for me, I love looking out the window. I drink lots of Diet Coke, so I make the aisle/middle folks get up at least twice on longer flights. Everyone needs to use the facilities, so getting up to let out window/middle seat passengers is just part of flying.
Why does it matter? I always stay very well hydrated so I use the restroom a lot. I still always choose the window seat. Not my problem how many times aisle/middle passengers have to get up.
I strongly prefer the window for all the reasons you mention. Another reason, especially for those who board early and sit near the front, is that the window seat avoids people bumping into you as they pass with bags, or coughing in your face, etc.
Flying as a single passenger on TATL or TPAC in Y, so it has to be #teamaisle on the right side in the centre section. I like to stretch my legs in the aisle, and get up for a little walk in the middle of the flight. I scored an empty seat beside me on a few occasions when the plane was basically full. The only one occasion that brought me a regret of not having a window seat was on a TATL flight that coincided with the most spectacular northern lights occurrence you could even imagine. I had just a glimpse of it, whereas the lucky window side passengers remained in total awe for quite a long stretch!
Flying as a single passenger on TATL or TPAC in Y, so it has to be #teamaisle on the right side in the centre section. I like to stretch my legs in the aisle, and get up for a little walk in the middle of the flight. I scored an empty seat beside me on a few occasions when the plane was basically full. The only one occasion that brought me a regret of not having a window seat was on a TATL flight that coincided with the most spectacular northern lights occurrence you could even imagine. I had just a glimpse of it, whereas the lucky window side passengers remained in total awe for quite a long stretch!Flying as a single passenger on TATL or TPAC in Y, so it has to be #teamaisle on the right side in the centre section. I like to stretch my legs in the aisle, and get up for a little walk in the middle of the flight. I scored an empty seat beside me on a few occasions when the plane was basically full. The only one occasion that brought me a regret of not having a window seat was on a TATL flight that coincided with the most spectacular northern lights occurrence you could even imagine. I had just a glimpse of it, whereas the lucky window side passengers remained in total awe for quite a long stretch!
As always you are spot on. I agree 100% about the window seat being better.
Other point I have when flying economy is the aisle seat gets bumped all the time by flight attendants. (I actually prefer low-cost carriers in that regard as they don't keep going up and down the aisles.
Guess we never fly on same plane. Had Air Tahiti control all the windows are recent flight to Tokyo. She said some people wanted to watch movies, and it was too light. My wife and I wanted to watch all the islands we passed. But, I n said situation, never get into discussion with FA. Only bad things can happen.
" it absolutely amazes me how many people simply choose to keep their window shades closed for the entire flight, and by being in the window seat, you can make sure you can still enjoy the view outside"
You are the one that keeps the window open during a 10 hour flight with the light blaring into the cabin, preventing people from sleeping and seeing their TV screens
What all the islands to Tahiti ? OK, if you are lucky, 1 or 2 islands in the huge pacific on the way, again if you are lucky...
Thank God Air Tahiti took control and kept the window shades shut.
Probably not a lot lol, but from what he's hinted at in other articles, when he flies in Y/Premium Y it's on the short-haul positioning flights between long-haul Business Class ones. Basically, on the flights he doesn't review.
On flights for up to roughly 6h I use the window seat but on longer flights I choose the aisle seat. I don't mind people asking me to stand up so they can use the restroom and I am uncomfortable asking people the same (go figure). I rarely fly on premium cabins, but I always choose the "true" window seat even when that means a tighter footwell.
Window seats also help with those who have a fear of flying or anxiety.
I was wondering, will we ever see virtual windows in business class a la Emirates' "Game Changer" First Class seats or even just in first class? Qantas' First Class on their upcoming A350s would've been a good place to start along with JAL's First Class.
As a person who strictly sits in aisle seats, I must say you make a compelling case.
All logical except I stress about asking to get out to the bathroom and that overrides all the other reasons.
Yep , one likes window seats because one can look out of the window , and control the shade .
And if it's a girl she has better light by which to fuss over her hair and eat the girl food.
"...some people seem to prefer staring at other people’s laptop screens."
If a person on a flight is going to be on their laptop, it's not other passengers' responsibilities to avert their gazes for five hours. It's laptop owners' responsibilities to purchase and use laptop privacy screens. Peoples' eyes are going to wander all over the place on a plane, and that includes wandering over to others' laptop screens.
It's a mystery why some people seem to have an expectation of privacy while working on their laptops in public spaces. You want privacy on a plane? Then fire up your laptop in the lav.
Willy - laptop has a female gender ; she wants make-up before she is in the window seat .
"An aisle & window seat is the dream scenario!"
This is the way.
Be the '1' in a 1-2-1, 1-1, etc.
Great views to begin with. Not having to get up. Also, if you've been sitting still on the tarmac for 20 minutes and the Captain hasn't made an announcement why (and many won't albeit we don't know their workload at that minute) looking out the window might give you a clue as to why. Ditto why has the plane been sitting short of the gate.
But like Ben I have to watch fluid intake, particularly as you're getting older. You don't want to have to disturb your seat mate(s) more than once. Why I love RJs and wide bodies on domestic flights. Single seats upfront. Drink on.
Your reasoning is pretty solid, but there's one thing why I'd never want to be in the window seat on a longer flight:
While I don't have a problem asking people to get up once in a while when I need the toilet, it has happened to me multiple times that the aisle person was sleeping (or at least pretending to sleep, you never know). Neither do I want to climb over the sleeping person (with a high risk of hitting them in the process), nor am I happy about having to wake them up. So that's the single one issue that overrides everything else.
For that reason, in a 2-2-2 business class, I'd rather choose a center seat than a window seat.
On shorter business class flights I'd always prefer the window seat just like you. In (European) economy on the other hand, I usually choose aisle for space reasons (being rather big, I like the "overflow space").
I prefer aisle seats for a very good reason: age and diabetes. You can imagine what my bladder is like. I just hate crawling all over people on my frequent trips to the refreshment room, so I'm at least considerate in one aspect.
"You can imagine what my bladder is like."
Nobody can imagine this. Pics please!
I am not sticking a camera up there. That particular hole was designed from the factory as an exit, not an entrance.
Umm.. you're right in one respect, but just to be clear, the catheter camera to the bladder does NOT go up your backside, if that's what you thought.
Having had a number of colonoscopies and being gay, I'm fine with that. I was talking about the front side.
I definitely agree in Business Class with direct aisle access (1-2-1) configuration. Otherwise and in particular in Economy I strongly prefer aisle. I'm not particularly athletic and jumping over one or even two other passengers who are asleep is not possible for me. Of course, on a daytime flight you may ask them to get up, but overnight that's not an option.
I’m always Team Window Seat. When I’m in a non-window seat andpeople next to me close the window the entire flight, it makes me so sad. They’re missing the beauty!
I’m definitely #TeamWindowSeat and agree with everything mentioned here. As a United 1K member, I can pre-board, which makes the window seat even better: I can settle in, organize everything I need for the flight and avoid getting up again as the other passengers arrive.
Controlling the window shade is another major advantage. I’m an airplane nerd, love looking outside and always take plenty of photos. Even after hundreds of flights, I still enjoy every one as if it were my first #nerd 🙂
If the choice is to ask others to let me out or be asked to let others out, I prefer the latter. Of course, in a proper J and Embrarers and CRJs in F, I get a window seat with direct aisle access.
team window always
Almost always #TeamWindowSeat, with an exception for ultra-long haul when I'm traveling with a companion in economy--we'll do window/aisle (and pray to the seat gods for an empty middle), but can then switch up who gets window/aisle based upon beverage and sleep patterns.
What about those of us who prefer the middle seat?!
Don’t mind a middle seat at all. Primarily for the satisfaction of declining couples requesting to sit together because they wanted a middle seat. Secondly keep your arms crossed it’s comfortable who cares about the arm rests.
Compelling points as usual Ben, totally agree with the view and everyone in our family loves taking pictures and videos from the window. Even though I can put our kids in the window seat (and they do love it for the views and sleeping), I am unable to fit. The tiny seats coupled with the loss of headspace in the window seats means this 6'2" traveler always chooses the aisle seat.
fully agree but then I have been on multiple c.6h flights in economy recently where the people in middle or aisle seat were sleeping all flight, so good luck if you want to leave your seat.
I would love the window for.all the reasons that you stated, Ben, however being an older guy “ ahem” I hate to inconvenience people when I need the restroom….which is more often that I would like.
Agree 100%. In fact this is the overriding factor in choosing th aisle seat for me.
I recall some time back on a Cathay long-haul being in a middle seat and trying (with the assistance of the FA who translated to Chinese ) to warn the lady in the aisle seat that I would need to get up frequently, and she would be disturbed less if we swapped seats.
No dice she wasn't gonna move. She might've come to regret her decision, after me climbing over her innumerable times, while she didn't need to go at all in the 11 hour flight.
She probsbly thought I was just trying to score an aisle seat and wasn't gonna give in. A poor decision on her part, as it turned out!