The World's Best Economy-Class Seat

[GenevieveS]

If you are anything like me, your finances require that you fly in economy class whenever you take to the skies. That said -- what do you look for in a seat assignment? Of course we would all want the emergency exit row or the bulkhead, but when that isn't possible what else factors in? For example -- I will not sit within five rows of a bathroom.

Would you rather sit up front to exit the plane first? Or do you worry about overhead storage since you would have likely boarded last?

Do you consult Web sites like SeatGuru.com or look at the renderings of aircrafts in order to determine if one row may have a few extra inches of legroom?

We are trying to find the world's best economy-class seat. Any input from you is great! Thanks!

[soliteyah]

Well, it's always nice to have an aisle configuration of 2-3-2 (or 2-anything else-2) so that my companion and I have a section to ourselves -- he likes the window and I like the aisle, so that way we don't have to have someone between us (or have one of us stuck with the middle seat, yuck).

A caveat related to window vs aisle -- I prefer the aisle particularly on long flights so that I can go to the bathroom, get up to stretch, etc. without bothering other people. But on shorter flights when I probably won't need to get up, it's nice to have the window so I can look out.

I agree that it's best to stay a few rows from the bathroom. Never really thought about front vs back all that much, though I guess getting off earlier is nice (hence, front).

I don't usually worry too much about legroom since I'm 5'1".

[Up4Travel]

On my last trip to Miami, I think I changed my seat five times (at least) before finally choosing what I thought was "Laura's Perfect Seat" on American's website. BTW, I love having the ability to do that -- over and over again.

If an airline's website doesn't have that schematic to look at, I definite visit seatguru.com. It's like playing a video game where you're strategically trying to "place your bottom" where hopefully no one will sit next to you, you aren't TOO far from the bathroom but also won't be the last one off the plane either. I also will take an aisle over the window anyday. I feel "trapped" otherwise...

I have a totally different strategy when I fly my favorite airline, Southwest. They don't have preassigned seats, so you need a commando handbook and need to know how things works. For example, on the majority of their aircraft, smack dab in the center of the plane, there is a single PAIR of seats (all others are three across). Hubby and I like to dash for those (of course making sure we checked in to get the coveted Group A boarding pass). Now, if you are a tall person, you'd want to grab the window seat *just* behind these pair...you'll be able to stretch out comfortably.

I, too, don't worry about legroom. At this stage of my life I'd like a website that displayed how much, um..er....HIP room there was and where I can find more of it!

LOL

Laura

[Jill215]

Since the airlines seems to be changing their boarding pratices; the last two times I've flown, as recently as May 23, 2006, with boarding the front of the plane first, I prefer to sit in the front. I'd prefer to sit in the front, regardless. I like being able to get off the plane ASAP. I'd take the emergency exit row always if available. In regard to seats, I like the two across the best, aisle if I'm by myself, if traveling with husband, either he gets the aisle or we do aisle to aisle across from one another when available.

[WackyHeathen]

Great question. There are a few things that I think about when choosing the perfect seat for a flight. First, seat location is essential. I like to be up front, as close to the ****pit as possible. I feel that this increases my chances of being invited in to talk to the pilots and to see all the incredible controls. Also, those up front are typically served the in-flight meal and beverages first. Yum!

Next, I really prefer to have a window seat. During take-off and landing, I love taking the views. (Note: I can go long periods of time without having to use the facilities, so I never have to worry about bathroom breaks.)

I absolutely despise seats that include the tray-tables in the arm rests. It's just so uncomfortable for eating. Your elbows keep getting stuck in the space that houses the tray. I have very long legs, and I like to take care of them. If possible, seats that allow for full extension (under the seat in front of me of course) are greatly appreciated.

If all of the above can be obtained, I'm able to have the best possible state of mind during the flight -- anguished horror.

[DanS]

Pregunta fantastica.

I'm a pretty small guy, so leg room is not a big thing, nor is the the size from arm rest to arm rest. I like to have the tray table on the seat in front of me, so I can put a pillow on the tray and sleep that way. It's a perfect fit for a little guy like me!

Although some other people have mentioned that they want to be as far away from the bathroom as possible, I actually like to be relatively close in proximity. Not too close mind you! Pee-yoo! But I usually get very nervous on flights, and when I'm nervous I tend to have to go to the bathroom frequently.

I really like when the seats are leather, because it reminds me of my passion in life, which is furniture construction. My favorite material to work with is leather. Even though I could make a much better chair than you find on airplanes, the gentle reminder of my love gives me a sense of serenity.

Adios y Dios mio,

Daniel Santo Fortuna

[travelmel]

I tend to prefer seats in the back of the plane. I hate nothing more than those minutes after the plane has landed, and the crazed businessmen and women jump up and stand in the aisles because they just can't wait two seconds longer than anyone else to get off the plane, tapping their feet and complaining to anybody who'll listen. I say, fight amongst yourselves ... I'll deplane last and I'll surely see all the rest of you down at baggage claim anyway! (What's the rush, people?!) I also find that the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to me is much higher toward the back of the plane.

[KimberlyB]

Any seat is an OK seat by me. I’m short and slight, so I can pretty much curl up and get comfy anywhere. Plus, I travel with a child under 15 years of age – so there goes my chance of ever getting a seat in or around the exit row! If I get to my destination in one piece and reasonably close to on time, I’m happy.

--KimberlyB

[Rhouck@alston.com]

On transatlantic flights, I like a window seat. The window provides about another inch of shoulder space AND a surface to lean against while sleeping. HOWEVER, some "window" seats are really just inside seats, without a windowand that extra inch. Usually these are close to the wings and apparently provide the plane greater structural stability. Then you have the worst of both worlds. Some seats have immovable arm-rests, so even if no one is next to you, you are stuck in your little space. I think these are usually emergency exit seats.

[CA2KYNeverbetter]

I prefer seats in front of me. I like my carryon bag in front of me. It doesn't matter what seat I have either, though my favorite is the window seat. According to the article it mentioned an A pass with SouthWest. I don't think it matters what seat one has on that airline. The service is despicable. At least that has been my experience.

[sundanz]

I always try to get a window seat wherever one is available. I usually travel alone. The flights are usually fine and I seldom complain. However, on my last transatlantic flight to Amsterdam ( and then on to Munich) I had the worst experience. I had booked my flight online and picked my own seat, a window seat. When I sat down in the plane the seat next to me was empty.....but not for long. Suddenly there was this HUGE shadow......and this man of at least 300 pounds,6'3, squeezed himself into the seat. The seat was too small, really, for a person this size.
I don't care if someone wants to weigh that much, but for pete's sake buy TWO seats so he will be more comfortable. Not to mention the passenger next to him, me, who had to absorb half his body into my seat ( one of his legs and his arm plus his shoulder ) where I had practically no room to eat or be comfortable in any way. I was close to tears the entire time. Plus he smelled .....and I was stuck next to this person for NINE hours. The plane was full and there was no other seat available. I think the airlines should either make all seats wide enough to accommodate big people or asked how much each person weighs and if it goes way over the passenger should be required to buy TWO seats. I know big people have rights too but so do I. Why am I being forced to be squeezed in? Something is not fair here.
I had to get up twice for the bathroom and it was such a commotion that I was embarrassed for him. He then stood outside the bathroom waiting for me to return to my seat. I will never forget this experience. On my way back home I stopped at the KLM counter to ask for another seat assignment. I explained my situation and all the attendant said was: it's a delicate subject". I agree,but I explained to him that if I pay for my ticket just like he did then I expect a decent flight in relative comfort.
At any rate, I was given a seat with no one next to me. I had 2 seats all to my self. When the person in front of me pushed his seat back so far as to be practically in my lap ( I think his seat was broken) I just moved over to the aisle seat. My flight was on Continental airlines which,by the way, is usually much better in my opinion than American Airlines.
In august I'm flying to Philadelphia...let's hope all goes well and I will have a decent flight!

[gracefulwriter]

I typically fly Continental and discovered a helpful function on their website. While booking a ticket, you can look at what kind of aircraft each flight is scheduled to be on. At the top of the page you can select the 'Travel' tab; then go down to 'Inflight' and then over to the 'Aircraft' tab. From this point, you select the aircraft model for the flight you are considering booking. A table providing Interior Specifications will appear for that specific aircraft.
This includes:

• Exit Rows
• Bulk Head Rows
• Over Wing Rows
• Standard Seat Pitch (measures the space from the back of your seat to the back of the seat in front of you)
• Standard Seat Width (this varies in economy - it's one inch smaller in the rows at the back of the plane on some aircraft models!)
• Standard Seat Recline
• Rows with Restricted Recline
• Rows with Moveable Aisle Armrests

I hope this helps! I have found it to be very helpful; I will sometimes choose one flight over another if it's a different aircraft model or if a certain flights has available seats in a better row. The Seat Width can vary an inch or more on the rows in the back of the plane - I'm sure this is to accomodate the carts, the flight attendants, and the bathroom traffic. I also prefer to sit behind the seats with restricted recline...I'm a bit claustrophobic and get very nauseous when people lay their seats in my lap!!
Happy Travels...

[DHMILL]

I don't like to fly! But flying is the fastest way from point A to point B so I tolerate flying. Of course, generally speaking, anywhere in first class is the best seat. However, if one has to travel, as I call it,"back in the pack" I find that an aisle seat in an exit row is the best. I'm claustrophobic and a window seat usually has the fuselage curving right over one's head. Giving me the feeling of being closed in. About five or ten minutes is my limit of endurance for that situation. An aisle seat gives me precious extra inches and an open area over my head. Thus I am able to stand up, move a little bit and have some freedom of extra movement at least on one side.
My discomfort really gets started when the exit door has been closed and locked. Now I'm locked inside! I fly with an iron grip on my panic. If I'm really lucky I'll go to sleep for the whole trip. But that rarely happens.

[MissRoseDarrensAngel]

I had a very good economy seat on Aer Lingus. Both my flights i was on to and from Dublin were not filled to complete capacity so the flight attendants allowed people to move to a different seat to allow you to stretch your legs better & get a bit of privacy. From NYC JFK, i had a 2 seat row to myself, and from Dublin to O'Hare, i got a middle set of seats to myself.

I did get an exit row on a BMI flight from Heathrow to Belfast City - the leg room was great - my carry on was in a bin thing.

[RichardNika]

I do seat selection on line whenever possible. I like a window seat even if I know there will be nothing worth seeing, so I have something to lean against. I like a seat next to an empty seat if possible. (I'm both big and tall) And I like a seat BEHIND an empty seat, so that I won't have to warn the person in front of me that my knees are already up against his/her seatback and not to try to push it back. In order to maximize the chances of getting what I want, I select seats in the back, an area which most passengers prefer to avoid.

Ironically, the worst seat I ever had was a window seat - on an Air India 747 out of New Delhi, bound for Paris with only one stop - in Frankfurt. While waiting to board in a crowded area, I noticed that the scanty top of a young attractive French woman next to me had had slipped way down - I will leave the details to your imagination. She caught me looking and glowered at me (what did she expect?) When I boarded, I was stuck in arguably the worst seat on the plane, the last seat going back before the number of seats in row diminishes by one owing to the fuselage narrowing out. Meaning it was an extra small seat. As I squeezed and wedged into it, Miss Oo-lah-lah took her assigned seat right next to me. I sat thus, a human sardine, for over ten hours, next to my glowering seatmate (who by then had adjusted her "wardrobe malfunction"), afraid to take anything out of my small bag or pockets, knowing that if I dropped something, I'd never be able to retrieve it. At least I was not overcome by a need to visit the bathroom before we landed.

[aimers23]

Halogen Guides posted an article about this a few months back:
http://travel.halogenguides.com/blog...airline-ticket