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 cabins, and now I select window seats no matter what.
Heck, this has almost caused some drama in my relationship. When I first met Ford I thought “great, he prefers the window seat, that’s perfect.” Nowadays we fight over who gets the window seat (though not really, because in this situation I give in).
Why has my seating preference changed so much?
In this post:
Why window seats are better than aisle seats
I understand all the arguments that people make in favor of aisle seats. Sure, you can go to the bathroom whenever you’d like, without having to step over anyone. You also potentially have a bit more space, in terms of being able to position your legs and “spilling over” into the aisle.
However, to me those positives pale in comparison to the benefits of a window seat. Now, I think we can all agree that a seat that gives you both an aisle and window is ideal, whether it’s in American Eagle first class or in Qatar Airways Qsuites. In fairness, though, most people aren’t flying in premium cabins, and/or aren’t on a plane with these kinds of single seats.
Anyway, in no particular order, let me share why I’ve become a total window seat guy.
Gazing out of airplane windows never gets old
Despite having flown millions and millions of miles, to me gazing out an airplane window never gets old. Ever. Even the least scenic flight has things worth seeing, and there’s only upside from there.
I don’t care how commonplace air travel becomes, I’ll never take for granted the miracle of flight, and the fact that we can basically get a bird’s-eye view of the world when hurtling through the sky at 500 miles per hour in a metal tube. Really, for me this is 80% of the reason to select a window seat.
Honestly, there’s just so much to see when flying, whether it’s a gorgeous sunrise over Mongolia…
…or a gorgeous sunset over the Pacific…
…or just your average departure from Hong Kong.
I don’t judge who don’t look out the window when flying… but I am confused by them.
Window seat passengers control window shades
Beyond enjoying the views, you also want to be able to control the window shades. For example, if it’s a daytime flight and you want to sleep, you can control whether the window shade is lowered or not.
Similarly, if you want to watch your personal entertainment, you might want to lower the window shade to reduce glare. The person in the window seat always controls the window shades.
On the topic of views, 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.
Window seats make it easier to work
Personally, I work quite efficiently on planes, and I find that being in a window seat helps with that. I can angle my laptop or phone screen away from the person seated next to me.
While my preferred view on a plane is out the window, some people seem to prefer staring at other people’s laptop screens. Of course it also makes sense to get one of those privacy filters to put on top of your screen, but even those aren’t foolproof when you’re packed in like sardines.
A while back I was on a flight in an aisle seat, and about halfway through the flight, the guy seated diagonally behind me started talking to me about things I was working on in my email inbox. Nice. “I’m not meaning to pry, but…” No, sorry, in this case you are prying.
In window seats no one climbs over you
Often the argument in favor of an aisle seat is that you can go to the bathroom whenever you’d like. The flip side of that coin is that you potentially have up to two people who need to climb over you (or ask you to get up) in order to use the bathroom.
Personally I’d rather be in the position of a window seat passenger than an aisle seat passenger:
- I don’t drink a lot on planes, so I don’t have to use the bathroom a lot
- When you’re in a window seat you have a reasonable right to ask the person in the aisle seat to get up when you need to use the bathroom; maybe I’m just entitled, but I don’t “worry” about when I’ll be let out when I need to use the bathroom, because it’s a reasonable request
- When you’re in the window seat you have the benefit of not having to get up when you’re not using the bathroom, and you also deal with fewer people “pulling” on your seat to get up
Window seats are better for resting
Whether you’re in economy or business class, window seats are consistently better if you’re trying to rest. In economy, you can rest your head against the fuselage, which you can’t do in the aisle seat.
Meanwhile in business class cabins that don’t have direct aisle access from all seats, personally I have a strong preference for sleeping facing the wall, as it minimizes disturbances.
Window seats let you control your experience
When I’ve been in a window seat and have asked to use the bathroom, I’ve never had someone in an aisle seat say no. Ever. However, I have been in an aisle seat and:
- Had a flight attendant pass a drink to the person in the window seat and spill it on my laptop, destroying it in the process
- Set up my electronics to charge (keeping things fully charged is a hobby of mine, and sometimes I’ll be charging four things at once), and shortly after setting everything up the person in the window seat asks to use the bathroom, and I have to disassemble everything
- Had someone standing in the aisle basically on top of me (whether a fellow passenger or flight attendant) having a loud, extended conversation with the passenger in the window seat
- Had someone who keeps the window shade closed for the entire flight (this is actually incredibly common)
Bottom line
Over the years I’ve had a change of heart regarding my airplane seating preferences. Nowadays I’m 100% in favor of choosing a window seat, regardless of the circumstances.
Window seats offer better views, afford more privacy, are better for resting or working, and actually let you control your own experience, in terms of the position of the window shade and when you get up.
Where do you stand — are you #TeamWindowSeat or #TeamAisleSeat?
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.
What about those of us who prefer the middle seat?!
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.
team window always
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.
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...
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 :)
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 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 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.
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...
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").
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,...
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.
"An aisle & window seat is the dream scenario!"
This is the way.
Be the '1' in a 1-2-1, 1-1, etc.
"...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...
"...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 .
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.
Willy - and scroll her mobile phone .
All logical except I stress about asking to get out to the bathroom and that overrides all the other reasons.
As a person who strictly sits in aisle seats, I must say you make a compelling case.