Avoiding Windowless Seats on Flights
If you fly regularly and prefer a window seat, things can sometimes go awry. You board, head for your window seat only to find that it has no window. Consequently, you have to bother your neighbors to get out to the bathroom, yet you lose the advantage of enjoying a view of our gorgeous planet at thirty thousand feet. Here’s how to avoid the unfortunate situation of staring at a plastic wall while flying.
But why are there windows missing in the first place?
Unfortunately, windowless window seats exist. They’re incredibly annoying if you’ve picked (and even paid!) for a window seat.
There are a couple of reasons for a missing window in your row. First, it’s not due to airlines moving all the rows closer together. While they may be doing that, it doesn’t affect whether a specific row is missing a window. Typically, if a window is missing, it’s because something is behind it, usually something unglamorous like ducting for aircraft wiring or the air-conditioning system.
Sometimes, the structure of the aircraft gets in the way: usually where two sections of the fuselage are jointed together. Unsurprisingly, placing a window-sized hole in such a critical area is not advisable.
Where are the windowless windows?
Finding windowless seats can be tricky as airlines outfit their planes differently: some have spacious first or business class, while others have extra-legroom economy sections. Therefore, it’s hard to specify which rows to avoid.
On the majority of Boeing 737-700s, for example, missing windows typically appear on the left side, a bit in front of the wing. This could range from about row 7 to row 15, depending on the airline.
In some Airbus A320s, particularly the newer A320neo versions, the last row of the cabin may not have a window and might have less legroom, right next to the lavatories — many reasons to avoid sitting here if possible!
Additionally, an emergency exit row might lack a window or have a strangely aligned one, so buyer beware there. However, on a positive note, with the rise of extra-legroom economy seating, like United’s Economy Plus or Delta’s Comfort+, these seats often provide a bit more space — but no window — without the additional fee.
Can I avoid these windowless windows?
Unfortunately, airlines make it remarkably difficult to determine where the windowless seats are, making it a frustrating experience. Disappointing passengers at the last minute, with them expecting a seat they’ll enjoy, is poor customer service.
While there are various seat map websites claiming to indicate good or bad seats, my experience shows that these websites are often inaccurate, particularly outside the U.S. Even within the U.S., the data can be outdated, making it challenging to find reliable information.
What’s the best plan?
My suggestion is to check the airline’s seat map when booking, and recheck it once you’ve booked. Sometimes, the diagrams vary in the airline’s systems.
Additionally, run a web search for your airline and the type of aircraft listed on your booking (e.g., ‘Austrian A320 seat map’, ‘Delta 737-800 seat map’), and stay informed about any changes until check-in time. Do a final check… and cross your fingers!
