Flight tips
Choosing a seat on a plane: which row, and why
Two passengers who paid the same fare on the same plane can have completely different flights. The difference is the seat number, and most people leave it to chance.
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After the cabin class, the seat is the single decision that shapes a flight most. On a three-hour hop the difference is small; on an eight-hour flight the wrong seat means a night without sleep. The good news: there is no one best seat — it depends on the flight length and on what you want out of it.
Window or aisle?
| Seat | Upside | Downside | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window | Something to lean on, the view, nobody disturbs you | Two people to climb over for the toilet | Overnight flights, anyone planning to sleep |
| Aisle | Get up whenever you want, room to stretch a leg | Trolleys and passing passengers | Long flights, frequent movers |
| Middle | Usually the cheapest | Two neighbours, two armrest negotiations | Short flights, budget first |
The rule is simple: window if you want to sleep, aisle if you want to move. On night flights the real advantage of the window is not the view — it is having a surface to rest your head against.
Which part of the plane is more comfortable?
- Over the wing: turbulence is felt least here, closest to the aircraft's centre of gravity.
- Front: first off after landing, first served, and quieter than the rear.
- Rear: usually emptier, and the best chance of a whole row of three staying free.
- Last row: on most aircraft these seats do not recline, and the toilet queue forms right beside you.
- Near the toilets and galley: light, conversation and movement all night — the worst area if you plan to sleep.
Is the exit row really better?
Exit rows offer noticeably more legroom, which is why most airlines charge for them. What is less well known: on many aircraft these seats do not recline, and during take-off and landing you cannot keep a bag in front of you — all hand luggage has to go in the overhead bin.
- You have to meet the airline's conditions to sit there; it is not allowed with a small child or if you would need assistance.
- Cabin crew will ask for your verbal agreement before departure — you are accepting a role in an evacuation.
- Bulkhead rows also have generous legroom, but with no seat in front there is nowhere for a bag and the screen usually folds out of the armrest.
- If you are tall, the exit row fee is a better investment than most other extras you could buy with the same money.
When is paying for a seat worth it?
Seat fees typically run €5-15 on short-haul and €20-60 on long-haul. There is only one question: how much is the seat worth on this particular flight?
- Do not pay on flights under two hours; whatever is left at check-in will do.
- Do pay if you are travelling as a family or a group. Free allocation splits you up, and swapping on board is not always accepted.
- Do pay on night flights and anything over six hours; sleep quality follows the seat directly.
- Do pay for a front row if your layover is tight.
- Do online check-in the moment it opens: where seat selection is free, the good seats go in the first hours.
Small differences by aircraft type
- Narrow-body (A320, B737): a 3-3 layout, where the only way to avoid the middle seat is choosing early.
- Wide-body 3-4-3: the middle block of four suits families; travelling alone, take the side blocks.
- Wide-body 2-4-2: the two-seat side blocks are the best option for couples — nobody climbs past you.
- Regional jets (E190, CRJ): a 2-2 layout with no middle seat, so paying for a seat matters much less.
Keep reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seat on a plane?
There is no single answer. To sleep, a window seat over the wing; to move around, the aisle; for legroom, the exit row. Anywhere near the toilets and galley is the worst option in every case.
Where is turbulence felt least?
Over the wing, the part closest to the aircraft's centre of gravity. It is felt most at the tail.
Does the exit row have downsides?
Yes. On many aircraft those seats do not recline, and you cannot keep a bag in front of you for take-off and landing. You also have to meet the airline's conditions and agree to assist in an evacuation.
Is paying for a seat worth it?
Usually not on flights under two hours. It is worth it if you are travelling as a family, on a night flight, or with a tight connection.
