Best Seat on the Plane

Just how can you get the
best seat on the plane? And
exactly what is the best seat?

Well, it’s really true that
the best seat on the plane is
in the eye of the beholder. Exit
rows, aisle or window seats
and seats close to the front of
the plane are considered the
best seats. Business travelers
probably want aisle seats close
to the front of the plane so that
they can disembark quicker.
When you are flying overnight,
you probably want a window
seat so you can lean against the side of the plane. Fliers who are nervous about flying may want to sit over the wing because there is less turbulence there. Exit row seats usually have a bit more legroom but they’re not appropriate for all travelers. Many fliers like “bulkhead seats” that are seats directly behind walls, curtains or screens, because there is no one in front of you.Sometimes there is more legroom here, but not always. Some bulkhead seats have really cramped leg space.

[Pullout:

]SeatGuru.com has seat maps for almost every type of plane on every major airline; it also lists the width of all seats.

So how do you get a better seat on the plane?

Join a frequent flier program. Sometimes just being a frequent flier member can score you a good seat.

Buy your tickets early for the best seat choice. Check in online as soon as possible before your flight to choose a seat if you didn’t get a seat when you bought your ticket.

Pay for a better seat. Several airlines now offer seats with extra legroom for an added fee.

Confirm your seat at check-in. You can ask if a better seat is available at that time.

Get to the airport early. You could lose your seat assignment to someone else if you get there late.

If you have a medical problem, let the agent know. They will try to accommodate you if they can.