There are several things we can do to make flying a comfortable and bearable experience and getting the best plane seat will obviously be one of them. After all, if there’s one thing no one wants, it’s to be stuck in a seat where they have to wonder, how did I end up here and how can I avoid it next time?
So this is a decision that can make a big difference and one that we should definitely not take lightly. Above all, if we have to make a long trip that involves spending several hours sitting down. Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to get the best plane seat on your next flight, and we’ll tell you about them below. So we invite you to continue reading until the end to discover them all.
What is the best plane seat for you?
Choosing the best plane seat will depend on many factors, but mainly our needs and priorities will play a major role. Since, all areas of the plane are different and each one will have its own pros and cons. So before deciding where to sit, you may need to think carefully about which one to choose based on the following considerations:
The best airplane seat for people who like comfort
If you are a tall person, your long legs may cause some discomfort. But it is possible to enjoy more space in the seats of the first rows or next to the emergency exits. These are usually better because they allow you to stretch your legs under the seat in front of you and recline, giving you more legroom.
In case of larger planes, keep in mind that these usually have two exit rows, but it is advisable to avoid the first one. Since these are generally seats that often do not recline. Although you should keep in mind that if an emergency occurs, you are expected to help.
The best plane seat for people whose priority is silence
In case you want to bet on silence on your trip, the recommendation is that you choose the rows at the front of the plane. Specifically in front of the wings, since there you will hardly hear the sound of the engines. Although another place where the sound of the engines is less is the seats located in the central part of the plane.
The best plane seat for people concerned about their safety
Airplanes remain the safest means of transportation. But when traveling by plane, where we sit could significantly affect our chances of survival in the unlikely event of a plane crash. If this worries you, you should know that, according to studies, the safest seats in case of accidents are located in the rear. In them the survival rate is the highest in case of accidents with 69%.
Also read: Little-known curiosities about airplanes
The best plane seat for those who want to disembark as quickly as possible upon arrival
For many people, waiting to get off can be torture, especially if they have spent hours flying and have a connection with another flight. So choosing the first seats on the plane will mean a quicker departure upon landing. Especially if you are flying in a double aisle aircraft it is recommended to choose a seat in the left aisle. Since the boarding gate will always be located on that side and people tend to move faster.
The best airplane seat for those who like to sleep
If you have a long flight ahead of you and want to sleep and enjoy your flight uninterrupted, it’s best to choose a window seat. This way you won’t have to be bothered by other passengers getting up to go to the bathroom, but you can also put your head down and rest. The only downside is that you’ll have to bother your seatmates every time you need to go to the bathroom.
The best seat for nervous passengers
Some passengers are scared and annoyed by turbulence. If this is the case for you, then the best thing to do is to find a seat in the most stable area. We refer specifically to the wings of the plane where there is less sensation of turbulence.
The best seat for traveling with children
Although it seems like a minor detail, it is really important to choose the seats on the plane carefully when traveling with children, especially if it is a question of long-term international flights.
If you are traveling with children try to get a seat in the bulkhead row. Because in addition to the convenience of the extra space, you’ll be able to get in and out more easily, and less hassle to other passengers. That without forgetting that you will also be able to attend to any last-second emergency, since they are closer to the bathrooms.
Strategies to make sure you get the best plane seat
Now that you’ve decided on the best seat for you, the next step is to get going to make sure you get it. These are the main strategies that will help you in this mission.
Book your flight well in advance
The earlier you book, the more seats will be available and you can choose the best one at the time of booking. But if you book last minute instead, you will most likely end up opting for the available middle seats, which would be the worst case scenario. Just check the seat availability map for the flight you’re booking before you make your choice.
Know the particularities of the seats of the plane where you will fly
For this task you can rely on sites like Seatguru.com, where you can check the distribution of seats for more than 100 different airlines. So depending on the model of plane where you will travel, this site allows you to know what are the pros and cons of the different seats. For example, which rows have more legroom, which rows don’t recline, and which seats are closer to the bathroom or have a power outlet.
Sign up for your airline’s frequent flyer program
The vast majority of airlines offer the possibility of joining a frequent flyer program, which offers endless benefits. Among them, free tickets, air discounts, lodging and of course seat upgrades or the first choice of the main seats.
Joining this program is usually a fairly simple process and is done via the web, without having to buy a ticket. But the drawback is that to achieve this status we will have to earn at least 25,000 actual air miles in a calendar year on a particular airline or its affiliates.
Book directly with the airline
One of the advantages of booking directly with the airline is that we can select the seat we want. However, when we book through a broker you may not be able to select your seat.
Choose alternate seats in the same row
The middle seats are always the last to be chosen because hardly anyone likes them. Since you can not comfortably support your head to rest, or stretch your legs, much less go to the bathroom without disturbing.
One strategy that often works when traveling with someone is to reserve both the window seat and the aisle seat. Since the middle seat is the least popular, if the plane doesn’t fill up, chances are you’ll have the whole row to yourself. Instead, if there is someone in the middle, they can offer you a change for one of the two seats you reserved. You will most likely be happy with the change.
Check in as soon as possible
The best way to ensure that we have the seat that best suits us is to make the online check-in between 24 to 48 hours before. At that time you can confirm the chosen seat and even choose a better one. As some travelers may cancel and others get an upgrade to business class, leaving their preferred seats behind.
However, you should be aware that This choice usually has an extra price and this will depend on the seat in question, or on other factors, such as the season, the airline or the type of flight.
However, it is possible that when buying the ticket we have not chosen the seat or the airline does not give us the possibility to do it online. Therefore, arriving at the airport three hours in advance and being one of the first to check-in will give us the opportunity to make the best choice.
On the other hand, you may have picked the best seat on the plane, but if you check in or are too late for boarding, the airline may end up giving up your seat. So never be confident and try to follow your airline’s anticipation guidelines for domestic and international flights.
Ask about door seating options.
If you are not satisfied with your current seat, once you arrive at your departure gate you can ask the agent if they could reassign you to a seat that better suits your needs. As we mentioned, sometimes when other passengers cancel their flight or you change class you may be able to move to an unoccupied seat.
Especially if you have a disability or medical condition, or if you need to sit next to your young children. They will most likely do their best to help you in these cases.