How do you decide where to sit on the plane?

[karly05]

Do you have a preferred row/area in which to sit on a plane? If so, why?

I keep thinking I want to be within easy distance from the exit rows "just in case." Don't know if that's sensible or just being a worry wart. But I was just reading the other day some recommendations that the safest seats are behind the trailing edge of the wing, so now I have that in mind. Am I overthinking this?

I will say, I've gotten to where I prefer the window seat if I can get it - not for the window, but so I can sit back for the traffic to clear at deplaning so I don't feel like I'm being pushed and rushed and making people mad as I stand in the aisle and try to wrestle down my bag.

The main reason I'm thinking extra hard about plane seats for next time is, if I fly Delta (as I fully intend to do), I'll be on a couple of 757s, and those things are HUGE compared to what I'm used to flying. I've been on way too many American Eagle "commuter" jets recently. MD80 or 737 is a "big" plane to me. Who wants to tell me the 757 is no big deal?

 

[sam_gordon]

Window seat, preferably in front of the wing, but will also take behind. I want the view. I don't worry about being close to an exit row. I do pay attention to the rows that have limited recline (not that a full recline does much).

 

[DebbieB]

With over 40 rows, you don't want to be in the back. I was in the back one time and it took about 15 minutes to get out of the plane. A 757 is no different than any other plane, it's just longer. More comfortable than a regional.

I prefer window seat in the front half. With the way airlines charge for preferred seats now, it's difficult to get those seats without paying. I miss the days when I had preferred status because I flew a lot for work.

 

[minnie mum]

A 757 isn't a big deal. Its seating (economy) is just 3 & 3. Have a look at seat guru for the seating chart. Since I'm susceptible to motion sickness, I prefer something over the wing, or close to it. I'll take an emergency row when I can get it, for the extra leg room. I like a window seat, not for the view, but because I have somewhere to lean my head when I sleep.

Just be glad it isn't a 777 or another wide body that has a center row of seats. I hate being stuck in one of those.

 

[rdevine10]

A 757 isn't a big deal. Its seating (economy) is just 3 & 3. Have a look at seat guru for the seating chart. Since I'm susceptible to motion sickness, I prefer something over the wing, or close to it. I'll take an emergency row when I can get it, for the extra leg room. I like a window seat, not for the view, but because I have somewhere to lean my head when I sleep.

Just be glad it isn't a 777 or another wide body that has a center row of seats. I hate being stuck in one of those.

It has depended over time. When my kids were babies we always sat closer to the rear of the plane. Mostly because the engine noise lulled them and they slept more on the plane.

Now, typically we are around the wing/exit rows. Not for any other reason than thats where the 1st available seats that will accommodate us seem to be. None of us recline so thats never an issue. I dislike the very 1st row as you cant have any bags under a seat in front of you. Not ideal when traveling with kids who are constantly asking for a snack, gum, activity etc.

If we are traveling connecting I ALWAYS try for the seats closest to the front of the plane. Especially if its a large aircraft. It will take much longer to get off a plane if you are in the back sometimes.

 

[dis_guy]

Statistically, you are safer sitting within 5 rows of an exit. However, more than 90% of passengers will survive in airplane accidents anyway. Compare that to car crashes. For years we were told the tail was the safest part of the plane but who knows? So other than those gloomy thoughts, you can sit where you want. I prefer a window or if my bum knee is acting up, an aisle where I can occasionally stretch that leg out into the aisle when it's clear. I'm pretty broad across the shoulders so the middle seats in are a very uncomfortable for flights over 2 hours, so your body type may affect your choice. Lately, we've been taking the occasional upgrade to business/first class after booking our economy seats. Every now and then, this can be a good deal for longer flights- either online or at check in for the flight. A very nice treat for sure! Seat Guru is great for helping you avoid those truly awful seats that all plane models seem to have.

 

[Mousemommy1]

I've never actually given it much thought, LOL.

I just like us all to be together and as close to the front as possible. There's nothing worse than landing and waiting for slow people to get off so it can be your turn.

 

[scdak]

It all depends on the flight. I always want an aisle seat, I love the limited recline seats because others hate them and unless the flight is full I rarely have a seatmate Long flights I want to be near the bathroom. I also base my seat choice on the length of time I have as a layover - I want to be closer to the front for short layovers esp in large airports but on flights when I have long layovers I love to be closer to the back.

 

[Flight]

For long flights, I like to sit in a seat that has the whole row empty.

 

[maxiesmom]

It depends. On the aisle, definitely. I feel less claustrophobic that way. If it is a longish flight, I prefer to be near a bathroom. Otherwise over the wings where you feel less of the motion of the plane.

 

[shoney]

closest aisle seat to the front of the plane.

 

[karly05]

There's nothing worse than landing and waiting for slow people to get off so it can be your turn.

That's why I sit in the window seat: I don't want to be that slow person who frustrates other people.

For long flights, I like to sit in a seat that has the whole row empty.

That would be nice. I'm thrilled when there's no one in the middle seat; that doesn't seem to happen often these days.

I have a weird quirk - I fly non-SW airlines where you can pick a seat when you book. I always want to be in the 3-across row (not 2 across), in the window seat where the aisle and middle are already marked as taken. My theory is, the other 2 people in the row will be together and entertain each other, and I won't end up next to someone who wants to talk my ear off. It's silly, because my seat neighbors have been fine.

 

[Disneyfanatic108]

On the way to Disney, as close to the front as possible. On the way really does not matter, but will shot for right around the wings as they have shown that this is also one of the safest spots on the plane.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I prefer being near the wing. No particular reason than that's what my Dad did & I adored my Dad.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Aisle seat, first class, not bulkhead.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

we usually fly jetblue so we get to choose our seats, I like to know where I'm sitting We always choose a row closest to the front of the plane, I don't have a preference of which seat in the row, my DH needs an aisle seat because he's tall and that is more comfortable to him. My 7 y.o. likes to be at the window so that leaves me in the middle. we raise all the armrests in our row and get comfy.

 

[jec6613]

The main reason I'm thinking extra hard about plane seats for next time is, if I fly Delta (as I fully intend to do), I'll be on a couple of 757s, and those things are HUGE compared to what I'm used to flying. I've been on way too many American Eagle "commuter" jets recently. MD80 or 737 is a "big" plane to me. Who wants to tell me the 757 is no big deal?

The 757 isn't actually a much larger plane than the 737, which both share a fuselage cross-section with the 727 and 707, with the same 3-3 seating configuration. In fact, some 737 models seat more than the 757, and to give you an idea of the size, an AA 757 seats 176 people, while their 737 seats 160 - literally three more rows (one row on their 757's is 2-2), and they both take the same number of flight attendants (four).

The 757's major use is that with larger fuel tanks and engines for longer range, it is suitable for long and thin routes (not very popular routes but over longer distances than a 737 can do), and hot and high airports (altitude and heat make air thinner, so the engines develop less thrust, and the 757's engines are big enough to handle that). A good example of a 757 route is MIA-UIO, which is a thin route, longer than a domestic jet can comfortably fly, and into a hot and high airport. You also see them a lot on flights in and out of HNL.

The major difference in a 757 from a 737, for a passenger, is that it has four full sized exit doors on each side, any of which you can board through. Some airports board you through 2L which is between the first class and coach cabins (normally you come through 1L, in the front of the plane, and walk through first class), and this can make the aircraft feel larger than it really is.

I take a window seat on flights up to two and a half hours because the curve of the aircraft gives me a bit more room, and I'm not bothered by people getting up and down, and an aisle seat on longer flights where I'm likely to want to get up and move around. Or, ideally, I get a seat with both aisle and window at the same time. As close to the front of the plane as possible, so it's faster to deplane. In the event of an accident, the safest spot is over the wing as it's the structurally strongest part of the aircraft and is near an exit, but I'm far more likely to be killed on the way to the airport than in the plane, so I just don't worry about it when it comes to seat selection.

 

[LilyWDW]

Aisle seat due to being claustrophobic plus my anxiety is better that way. If the flight is more then 2 hours then near a bathroom as I KNOW I will need to use it (medical condition).

 

[galaxygirl76]

I don't have a preference, but my husband wants to be as near the bathrooms as possible lol.

 

[cedricandsophie]

Aisle seat. On United always fly Econmy Plus. Prefer the exit row but harder to do with kids since they Csnt sit there. As close to front as possible. If it's a choice between sitting next to my husband or an aisle, I'll take the aisle every time. I try to get two aisles across since I refuse to sit in the middle.