Which Plane Seat is Best?

Anyone care to share their preferences when it comes to good plane seats and why?

I'm trying to pick a good seat on: https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Etihad_Airways/Etihad_Airw…

I was thinking about an inner aisle seat because that would be better to get up regularly during a long flight. But maybe a window seat would also be good because you can sleep against it?

And which rows are the best for minimal engine noise? I can get as close as row 23G to front of plane so assumed it would get louder as you go further back.

Comments

  • +3

    Aisle always for me as I can easily stretch my legs and arms easily for that matter.

  • +1

    An air pillow would be better than trying to sleep against the window, you get a crooked neck that way. I prefer aisle because I can get up whenever I feel like it without having to ask, and I don't care about views. Noise is louder behind the engines. Also I avoid rows near the baby seats, especially the row just behind the divider where they can hook a bassinet. Also avoid the cramped seats where the body narrows, near the back anyway; and near the toilets, lots of traffic.

  • Depending on the time for me:

    If its daylight and short (1-5 hours - yes I think 5 hours is short), I prefer the window for some views. But I've seen Sydney from above enough so I don't bother when returning and go for aisle. New destinations it's window seat

    Night flight or long overhaul (5+ hours) - aisle for stretching legs and easier toilet access without having to climb over 2 people.

  • my air steward friend says as close to the front as possible for less turbulence.

    on a recent airasia trip to KL I was 2nd row from the back on the outside. (row 45) see how the plane curves and it goes from 3 seats wide to 2 seats wide? but the aisle has plenty of room.

    rows 41 - 45 A,B, H, K seats. for the win. you can swing your legs into the aisle (if you have long legs) and there is less concern about tripping people.

    Row 42 is best because you don't have have that 3rd seat in front of you.

    • -2

      "my air steward friend says as close to the front as possible for less turbulence".
      The best place for least turbulence is directly over the wings, as that is where the plane pivots.

      • A planes fuselage follows the nose, that is, it pivots around its nose. Above the wing is simply the loudest. The rear has the most movement. But it's all relative, some people won't even notice it where others might get sick.

        Every Fflyer has a seat preference, I like to sleep on my side facing the outside away from others, so usually its LHS of a plane for me. At least three rows away from bathrooms, kitchens and kids. That usually defines a small area of seats to work with. Add another passenger or two and it gets even more limited.

        • You know I hate it when someone posts something on here that is absolute nonsense, but I suppose that's what these things are all about. How on earth can a plane pivot around the nose? The wings provide the lift, so it obviously pivots around the wings!
          Have a read of an expert article which explains the whole thing better than I could.
          http://getawaytips.azcentral.com/place-sit-airplane-less-tur…

  • +4

    The Pilot's seat… because POWA!!

  • Not the row behind the extra legroom seats, because those people always fully recline as well :(

  • +2

    Aisle 41C or 41H is superior to all, if you don't mind waiting for people to leave the plane before you. Because it's where 3 seat rows become two, you will get the third seat to slide any extra luggage underneath. Also extra leg room.

    • I have done this and it is awesome! Easy access to carry-on luggage was totally worth the few minutes extra wait to leave the plane.

  • +3

    Go to https://www.seatguru.com-They compare all airlines and tell you which seats to avoid!

  • +1

    Absolute back of plane is like a roller coaster during turbulence. I kinda enjoy it.

  • The best plane seat in on any flight without the letters MH in its code.

  • +4

    If it doesn't start with a 1 and end in A I just get my chauffeur to drive me home and get my PA to correct the oversight.

  • +5

    I always sit near the Black Box because if there is a crash that always survives.

    • +3

      I'll ask if it's possible to sit inside it.

  • +4

    I work in the transport industry and for the 777 you are looking at you are on a 6+ hour sector by most means and flying from the east coast as this is where most of the traffic comes from.

    Closer to the front is always best in terms of noise reduction and turbulence.

    I would not worry too much about the comments of others, yes the movement arm to the front is longer and the forces may be perceived to be greater, but coupled with the noise and other factors it is not really applicable.

    If you are travelling solo the best option I think is to go for a middle isle seat, as there is a greater possibility of spreading out.

    The window seats are most likely coupled up, and or have small children.

    Try to avoid being within three rows of the ammenities, which is both galley and toilet areas, as people congregate around here and the smells can be a very unpleasant distraction.

    Ultimately though, get to check in on time - allowing for your trs - and ask the gate agent, ask if you can be placed with a spare seat next to you as you are a nervous flyer etc… and are just trying to not worry others.

    They will help you out where they can.

    Hope you enjoy your trip.

    Take a sleeping tablet too, I am not an advocate of drugs at all, but long haul flying is one of the worst things for the body, if you can go in to a state of rest and relaxation in most layouts good on your health.

    Bon voyage.

    • Thanks for the tips. I'm flying out of Sydney so on the topic of TRS, hopefully I can find it once you go through the Departures doors.

      • Can't miss the signs unless you're blind or engrossed in your smartphone, LOL. Get a QR code ahead of time so you have a choice of either queue.

  • +2

    not air asia, you will need to pray to land apparently

  • for me its the middle row aisle seat near the back, the benefits diminish a little if the middle row is 4 seats but when its 3 its my fav option, the legroom in the aisle (keeping an eye out for traffic, dont be a dick), the ability to stretch into the aisle, get up whenever you please, at most one person to bother you to get up but i usually get on early and make it clear they should ask the other person haha, when you pick a seat you choose one where the other aisle seat in the row is taken but the middle seat is free, no one wants to actively choose the middle seat so you might get lucky and itll stay empty, im still at a positive batting average with this strat.

  • Best plane seat is in First Class.

  • i prefer bulkhead but always use seatguru as flights change etc

  • +2

    If you like the freedom of getting up whenever you like to go for a piss or get something out of your bag then aisle seat is the go.
    If you like staring out the window then window seat is the go.
    Avoid the middle seat all together unless traveling with friends.
    Note that the window seat can get cramped and uncomfortable and sometimes drafty.
    Meanwhile you can get continuously bumped and knocked by passers by in the aisle seat.
    So on that basis the middle seat is best.
    Confused now?
    Most importantly AVOID JETSTAR SEATS!

  • +5

    The very back seat,,,,
    because planes do not reverse into mountains.

  • All the savings you've made from this site, you should be narrowing your seat selection to 1A to 6H range!

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