Choosing your seat on a flight is no small matter. Do you opt for the aisle, allowing you the freedom to move about as you please, or perhaps you prefer the window seat, offering a place to rest and possibly catch some sleep?
Or maybe you’re drawn to the sole advantage of the middle seat and command over both armrests.
It’s not an easy decision to make, but thankfully, the experts at Bountii have conducted research to determine the ideal seat location on a plane, ensuring you make the right choice.
There’s more to it than simply choosing between aisle, middle or window – depending on your destination and the time of year, there are several seat options to consider.
If you’re hoping to witness a breathtaking sunrise or sunset from the plane, it’s important to know which direction you’ll be travelling.
For westbound flights, select a seat on the left side of the plane for unforgettable sunset views, while for eastbound flights, the right side is your best bet – naturally, having a window seat in this case is beneficial, reports the Mirror.
It’s also worth researching the route you’ll be flying – if your plane will be passing over something spectacular, like the Grand Canyon or the Alps, it’s worthwhile ensuring you have a good view – even cityscapes such as New York or Dubai can be awe-inspiring from above.
If you’re planning on getting some sleep, or simply want to avoid the sun’s glare, there are ways to accommodate that too.
The side opposite the sun-right side for westbound, left side for eastbound-should be your choice. This holds true for sleeping as well – if you tend to lean right when you sleep upright then choose a seat that aligns with that.
Not everyone uses flying for relaxation though so if you’re more likely to spend your air time working on a laptop then consider your dominant hand. Right-handed travellers might find the left side more comfortable and vice versa.
Even though flying long haul can be uncomfortable, if you utilise these tips you might be able to make it a little easier on yourself.