Five Things To Consider When Selecting Your Airplane Seat

For passengers booking a flight online, most airlines provide a helpful seating chart. This chart should not be ignored — rather, passengers should examine it thoroughly and weigh their options before choosing their seats. This process could be the difference between a quick, painless shuttle and an afternoon of pain and agony.

Emergency Exit

Legroom is one of the most precious commodities while 20,000 feet in the air, but often hard to find. Perhaps the best choice of seating in an airplane is in one of the few seats near the emergency exits.

Bulkhead Seating

Sitting near the bulkhead (the dividing wall between the cabins) can typically offer almost as much room as the emergency exit; however these seats are often reserved for mothers with newborn babies. For this reason, choosing the lesser of the two evils — minimal legroom or a wailing baby — can be a daunting task.

The Restroom

Find where the restroom is located on the seat plan and avoid sitting near it at all costs. Constant traffic near your seat, toilet flushing and unsavory smells are always unwanted.

Access to the Aisle

Not only is having to wait for your neighbor to stand up and let you by every time you need to use the restroom frustrating, but the aisle can also serve as improvised leg room when the flight attendants aren’t looking. Avoid the middle seats if possible.

Noise and Turbulence

While the front of the plane — the area with the least amount of engine sound and rumbling — is most desirable, it is typically reserved for first- and business-class passengers. For most regular travelers, the middle of the plane is the best bet. Those seated toward the rear will find a bumpy and noisy ride.