The aisle seat - is it really that good?

[AVC]

It's all pros and cons. At least the window means that you are disturbing other PAX on your​ terms, and not theirs I guess if you have a low capacity bladder you would go aisle though.

And once, in J somewhere over the Pacific, I climbed over Kate Cerebrano's sleeping calves.

This would imply she sleeps face down. Hmmm

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

Unless of course it's Kate Cerebrano....

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.

 

[CMak]

For years when I was working it was always aisle - now due to a more leisurely life a window seat it is!

 

[JohnK]

....Trying to sleep is a nightmare anywhere in Y, but at least you have a wall to lean on in the window seat.

I wish most things were as easy as sleeping. I have slept through entire flights in economy.

 

[samh004]

If I intend to sleep I'll take the window, which is easy when you always have 2 seats and fly in planes with 2-2 config.

Had aisle on the weekend, got tired, moved to window and leant against it, didn't wake till the wheels touched the runway. Luckily no drool either

 

[Stoopidsteve]

I'm a very poor sleeper in Y, and a real fidget, so aisle for me. Having said that, have 32A and 32K upstairs on A380 booked for later in the year (could have had 80A, 71D) and on the same itinerary, some window seats for AA A/J sectors.

 

[longhaul]

I fly international a lot so I prefer isle - nothing worse then needing to go to the bathroom and not being able to get past one or even two other sleeping passengers (made worse if the seat in front is reclined)

 

[alexczarn]

Window. I like taking photos. And something to lean against for a rest.

 

[daturtle]

Aisle for life. I keep my small backpack stored under the seat in front so I don't have to get up to get my things, so the ability to stretch out into the aisle a bit is a big plus. Also, I don't mind getting up for others, gives me a chance to stretch my legs. As for being bumped into while others are boarding, I just make sure I am one of the last pax onto the plane and problem solved.

 

[Pat2065]

For me, like others, it depends on the flight. For Y short-haul domestic, I prefer a forward aisle seat, mostly for the ease of getting out at the end. For longer haul Y domestic (e.g. Syd-Perth or Darwin), I may take a window if it's a 767 or A330 with two seats on the window sides, but not a 737 where it's 3-3. Two people between me and the aisle is too claustrophobic. In all cases, I try to get as far forward as possible to speed up departure. I rarely have checked baggage and can beat at least some of the crowd to the taxi rank.

In J business domestically, I tend to prefer aisle but it mostly depends on if there is anything to see. For Long haul J international, the window is more private but can be very awkward climbing over the aisle person, and having the aisle seat means a stranger climbs over you. Either can be very unpleasant ... Snaffle a bulkhead/exit row if you can is best advice. J class with herringbone style airlines like Cathay or Air Canada are much more suited to solo travellers.

 

[KPerth]

I prefer a window seat but when I travel with my wife I don't have that choice, unless I sit in a different row.-)

 

[cdchi1]

Aisle for mine, and always an aisle so I can cross my right leg over my left.

 

[nonscenic]

I always go for a window seat unless there's an exit row seat in the offing. I've only experienced J a couple of times in the past, but chose a window seat each time. The views can be the best part of the trip - I recall flying Seattle / Anchorage / Fairbanks for amazing glacier and snow capped mountains, and also sunset over the Mt Ararat region of Turkey on a Vienna / Kuala Lumpur flight. Even on domestic flights I can recall two sunsets on an ADL-PER flight (the sun set as we were taxiing to the runway, it rose in the west after take off then set again a few minutes later. Also the MEL - ASP flights over the Flinders Ranges and Lake Eyre (on one occasion, with stronger headwinds aloft the pilot flew at about 24000 ft, giving us window seaters better views still)

 

[Limewood]

Mrs Lime & self take one window and aisle, on a 767 SYD/HNL/SYD recently had Y exit seats row 35 J/K, there was about same amount of room as J to seat in front, tray had 3 stop positions to give some idea as to space, amazing, made these fights excellent.

 

[wombatpatties]

It's the Aisle seat for me for the following reasons: Left-handed as I do crosswords, read, study, etc., & I know when to stop to avoid the nudges.

Doing my feet exercises, drinking lots of water, hence the toilet trip. On our arrival, I help passengers with their overhead luggage struggles in exchange for the

window seat, then I quietly watch the pandemonium, when all is nearly over, I wander through a near empty plane, quite happy.

Might see you one day..........................................................

 

[richie9x]

Window seat for me. I don't usually get up during a short flight (anything less than 8 hours). Just go to the toilet before departure and after landing if need be. I like to look out the window and take photos. Also as others have mentioned it is good to rest against the airplane wall.

I have quite broad shoulders and often get bumped if I sit in an aisle seat.

I use to think that people who prefer the aisle to be a bit unusual. But then I realised it means a greater chance a window seat will be available for me. So if they are happy with the aisle seat them good for them.

 

[Pilbaracommuter]

If I get an upgrade, I don't care where it is - the extra space is always worth having - otherwise window every time

1. I like the view
2. many off my flights span sunrise/sunset so it's good to have control of the blind and position it part way down if I'm on the wrong side of the aircraft
3. I'm not incontinent and usually don't need the toilet on all but the longest flights, so I'd rather be disturbed just by my bladder than mine and one or two other people's
4. That extra bit of elbow room into the window recess (no such option in the aisle)
5. Less chance of somebody else's drink spilling as it's passed across

There are some further preferences between carriers and aircraft types. I'll put these in another post

 

[Pilbaracommuter]

Some further variants on seat preference

1. On a 738, front row of Y is more desirable with QF than VA. On QF you have access to stowage under the seat, but VA put their pretty screen in the way
2. Major downside of window seats is less access to lockers - which is why I don't like front rows or exit rows. I keep laptop and essential paperwork in a small bag that will fit under the seat
3. Best of both worlds in VA E190s 2A - aisle, window and under-seat storage all in one!
4. A bit of a lottery in aircraft with 3/2 seating (717/F100 etc.) - on full flights the 2 seat side is better, but otherwise you may get a vacant seat alongside in a 3 seat row.
5. On wide bodied aircraft on long haul flights, being close to the bulkhead also puts you close to the bassinet positions and young babies

 

[rani1]

I much prefer the window, I watch very little TV so enjoy the view, my iPod, my iPad and with my headset on I am a happy traveller. I am travelling to Paris next month via Singapore and London and its window seat all the way and return. I don't need to disturb the aisle person very often and try to time my Bathroom visits when they get up so minimal disruption to everyone. It is usually me that has to be disturbed as I am of into my own little world when food or drinks etc are served.

 

[blackcat20]

3. I'm not incontinent and usually don't need the toilet on all but the longest flights, so I'd rather be disturbed just by my bladder than mine and one or two other people's

Incontinence is not being able to control your bladder, as opposed to making a few trips to the loo during a long haul flight. Much better to drink plenty of water and make a few bathroom visits than sit still for 14+hours.

 

[ashleyn]

I'll trade the inconveniences of the aisle for the slight lack of claustrophobia that being surrounded creates. I will only be non aisle in exit row or J.