The aisle seat - is it really that good?

[tuapekastar]

Always aisle for me, perhaps the occasional exception if I know there is going to be something out the window I really want see.

 

[ReLoad]

Long flight or routes I have done ad nauseum - the aisle.

Window for the occasional couriosity purpose.

Not just any window though - preference is for a window away from the Sun.

I am a sit ain a window seat person, I have developed the ability to sleep leaning against a window, so its a winner every time.
Totally agree with Serfty, avoid the sun. Its pretty easy to learn what side to sit on based on direction and the time of day.

 

[flyingfan]

The window for me all the way. Apart from getting bashed by the elbows and bags swinging around during boarding, I've yet to tire of the view (although I've long since stopped video-recording takeoffs and landings). I can't imagine I'd give up the view just to be able to get off a few seconds quicker.

As for bladder control, I once somehow managed to hold it in all the way from LAX-SYD in 55K (don't try this at home). The passenger on my left wasn't terribly considerate with space and it's not like I couldn't have squeezed out to visit the commode. But had I been in an aisle seat there's no way I could have had the stunning vista that I did as we were nearing final approach.

 

[blu]

I prefer aisle, MrsB prefers window.
Sometimes we travel that way but more often I'm in the middle (as long as it is an exit row).

 

[blackcat20]

I like a window on domestic flights, but long haul I go for an aisle. I drink heaps of water which gets me up a few times...and saves me having trouble with my legs (I get sore if I keep them still too long). If I sat at the window I would drive my neighbour nuts.

 

[drewbles]

On long haul in Y the window seat is definitely the way to go (IMHO). Trying to sleep is a nightmare anywhere in Y, but at least you have a wall to lean on in the window seat. I just instinctively go for the window seat now, regardless of cabin class... I guess old habits die hard.

I have to get up and walk around on long haul flights and hate disturbing people, so it's an aisle for me. Conversely, I hate being disturbed, so it's down to me being fidgety and getting up a lot that drives my aisle seat request. That, and the fact I like to be able to stretch my legs into the aisle every so often.

 

[mella2007]

I hate the aisle. Once had it returning from LA...never again. Kept getting the cart knocking into me and people kept brushing past. Love the window. I never use the toilet on a plane, so quite content to sit there for however many hours

 

[codash1099]

I hate the aisle. Once had it returning from LA...never again. Kept getting the cart knocking into me and people kept brushing past. Love the window. I never use the toilet on a plane, so quite content to sit there for however many hours

Wow! A 14 hour bladder! At my age, I envy anyone with a 4 hour bladder- hell, a one hour bladder sometimes.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Go for 80A/K on the A388 - it's a window seat with direct aisle access.

When that's unavailable, it depends if I'm planning to use the toilet. I would take the window seat if I know I'm not getting out until arrival. Or, if I'm on a 3-3-3 config 777, I would take the D or G seat, and hoping that either the middle seat remains empty, or the other pax would go the other way at least half the time.

 

[drewbles]

Go for 80A/K on the A388 - it's a window seat with direct aisle access.

When that's unavailable, it depends if I'm planning to use the toilet. I would take the window seat if I know I'm not getting out until arrival. Or, if I'm on a 3-3-3 config 777, I would take the D or G seat, and hoping that either the middle seat remains empty, or the other pax would go the other way at least half the time.

I flew 80A for the first time the other day, and whilst yes, it's definitely a go-er leg room wise, I wouldn't always assume direct aisle access. The guy in the seat in 79B was definitely spread out and it would have taken some manoeuvring to jump over his legs. Due to another incident he was moved (that was interesting with a lot of swearing and the near arrest of a pax, who was met by the po-po in our transit stop) so it was direct access for me.

 

[Warks]

Thanks for the replies. It seems the consensus is aisle for long haul (as boarding is a relatively short proportion of the whole trip plus toilet access) and the window for shorter haul - most domestic flights. Of course everyone has the preferences for one reason or another.

 

[fersea]

Trying to sleep is a nightmare anywhere in Y.

If you are having a nightmare you are sleeping which would make sleeping in Y not that much of a nightmare after all!!

 

[fersea]

I flew 80A for the first time the other day, and whilst yes, it's definitely a go-er leg room wise, I wouldn't always assume direct aisle access. The guy in the seat in 79B was definitely spread out and it would have taken some manoeuvring to jump over his legs. Due to another incident he was moved (that was interesting with a lot of swearing and the near arrest of a pax, who was met by the po-po in our transit stop) so it was direct access for me.

Now that deserves a thread on its own. Do tell....

 

[Happy Trails]

Another negative for aisle seats is folk thrusting their groins at your face while stretching up to rummage in the overhead lockers.

 

[harvyk]

I have chosen the aisle seat exactly once, it was a transcon and I wanted to get some sleep and it was a choice between the window seat I had assigned or a bulk head row... I made my choice...
Other than that,I always go for the window seat, even long haul... I like being able to see out the window, I like every so often checking out what we are flying over (even over water, you every so often see interesting things like islands or ships).

 

[blackcat20]

Wow! A 14 hour bladder! At my age, I envy anyone with a 4 hour bladder- hell, a one hour bladder sometimes.

Good way to get yourself a UTI though...

 

[drewbles]

Now that deserves a thread on its own. Do tell....

I'll recall the events later, I may do a mini-trip report actually (*every* flight from this trip has had issues, it's a real bad one for flights; I guess after having had so many flights go without a hitch, I was bound to run into a massive speed hump)!

 

[markis10]

I have deleted some posts that were OT and bordering on being against the rules of the site, please keep in mind posts need to be G rated as such.

 

[casanovawa]

Always window, nice to be able to look out now and then to vary the trip... Even at night flying over Europe and looking at city lights... Flew from PER-BKK last year and flying up past parts of Indonesia at night saw a massive lightning storm happening... Then flew over Singapore, very pretty... If in Y on a 747 tend to go for the twin seats down the back of Y so only 1 person to climb over but last couple of flights in 2011 had the twin seats to myself so not bad for trying to sleep...

But if in J, nice to get these planes that are herringbone or like TGs new A380 all direct access...

 

[Edge]

6'5 = aisle 4 life