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Jan 28, 2020 • 5 min read
These days, the best seats on the plane are often easy to identify: they come with hefty surcharges, sometimes even exceeding your actual fare. However, if you prefer not to spend extra cash, this guide will help you avoid the worst seats and enjoy a more comfortable flight.
Avoid the Bulkhead if You Need Space
Bulkhead seats, located directly behind cabin wall sections, may offer more knee-room, but they commonly feature tray tables built into the armrests, which reduces seat width. Therefore, individuals needing a bit more room may want to steer clear of these seats.
Furthermore, since there are no seats in front of you, all your baggage has to be stored in the overhead compartments during takeoff and landing. This can be inconvenient if you plan to access your belongings mid-flight.
This issue is especially pronounced on smaller aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, where flight attendants may store luggage in the front bins, which can lead to an uncomfortable situation if you have to retrieve your items later.
Additionally, on larger planes with two aisles, bulkhead positions are often designated for bassinet travel cribs. If you select a bulkhead seat, there is a chance you may be asked to move for families traveling with infants, thus limiting your seating options.
If you find the presence of babies bothersome, it’s advisable to avoid the bulkhead seats altogether.
Consider Avoiding Seats in Front of Exit Rows
Although exit row seats generally provide extra legroom, many airlines now impose fees for them. However, you should avoid the seats directly in front of these rows, as they often lack recline capabilities to ensure that emergency exits remain unobstructed in case of a quick evacuation.
That said, a growing number of low-cost airlines—and even some established carriers—offer what are termed “pre-reclined” seats, which are slightly slanted backward. This configuration can help minimize potential discomfort from unexpected reclining.
Moreover, if you tend to feel cold, these exit seating areas are typically drafter zones due to the close proximity to the doors. Conversely, if you feel excessively warm during flights, these seats may be a perfect fit for you!
Steer Clear of the Middle Seat
Middle seats are universally disliked. However, due to increasingly cramped aircraft layouts, avoiding middle seats can be a challenge. For instance, Boeing’s introduction of the widebody 777 saw many configurations shift from nine seats per row to ten, adding yet another undesirable middle seat.
If you’re looking for aircraft with fewer middle seats, consider flying on a Boeing 767 (often set up in a 2-3-2 layout) or an Airbus A330 (typically in a 2-4-2 configuration, although certain budget airlines may add an extra seat per row).
For More Legroom, Sit Ahead of the Wing
On smaller planes like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, seats located ahead of the wing can provide an additional inch or two of legroom. This is not the same as the “extra-legroom economy” seat choices but refers to standard economy seating.
The layout issues stem from the fixed space occupied by overwing emergency exits, which creates varied amounts of legroom depending on the plane’s seating arrangement, often called “seat pitch.”
This dynamic enables the potential for increased leg space in seats ahead of the emergency exits, compared to those found behind them.
Avoid Lavatories and Galleys
It’s generally advisable to avoid sitting next to the lavatory unless you know you will need frequent access. Be sure to check the layout of lavatories on the aircraft, as they may not always be accurately represented in the seating maps provided by airlines.
Moreover, it’s wise to steer clear of galley kitchens, which can be noisy due to crew activity and may have unwanted lighting during nighttime flights. However, if traveling with young children, being closer to the crew can be advantageous in case assistance is needed.
Check, But Don’t Solely Rely on Airline Seat Maps
When consulting seating maps, it’s essential to verify accuracy, particularly concerning the automatic seat maps airlines provide during the selection process.
While pictorial seat maps available on airline websites tend to offer reliable information, they may not always depict issues like missing windows or misaligned views.
Third-party websites can provide useful insights, but they often fail to account for the variations in aircraft layouts. Different airlines may operate multiple configurations for the same type of aircraft, which can affect the placement of lavatories, galleys, and row numbers.
Therefore, consulting various sources for recommendations on “good” or “bad” seats is wise, in addition to checking essential details like row numbering.
