Selecting a seat on a plane can sometimes be confusing and costly – and the selection process might not grant you the best spots.
Luckily, an expert has spoken out about the little-known science of plane seat selecting and how to avoid the less-than-ideal ones.
Brenna Ryan from Victorian Plumbing recommended that travellers should factor in the proximity of the nearest bathroom when selecting their seats on a flight to ensure greater comfort.
She suggested: “When choosing where to sit on a flight there are a few important factors to note. Think about how often you visit the toilet. If the answer is pretty frequently, take that into account when deciding which seat to book.
“The first thing to consider is which part of the plane to sit on, planes usually have a toilet both at the front and back, so look to sit there when possible and avoid the middle of the plane furthest from the toilets.”
Research from Victorian Plumbing has identified seat 4C as the optimal choice on a plane. Brenna highlighted that it offers a convenient location near the bathroom while avoiding the drawbacks of being too close.
She elaborated: “Overall, the very best seat option on a plane for a comfortable and odourless trip with great toilet access is 4C.
“This seat is an aisle seat towards the front of the plane and isn’t too close to the front of the aircraft that you have people queuing for the toilet next to you. It’s also far enough away from any odours coming from the bathroom.”
On the other hand, Brenna advised against choosing seat 11A due to its lack of convenience and view.
She explained: “The worst seat on the plane is 11A. Not only is this seat further away from the bathroom, it is also a window seat which makes it more difficult to manoeuvre out of for frequent bathroom breaks.
“Not only do these issues cause inconvenience, but the seat also boasts no windows, despite being a so-called window seat.”
Victorian Plumbing also recommended that tourists booking a flight should think about whether they want a window, middle or aisle seat.
Whilst it may seem as if the window seat is the nicest part of the row, offering a scenic view, the company highlighted that it is more difficult for tourists to get up and stretch their legs.
Similarly, many flight experts have noted that those travelling in pairs should book both the aisle seat and the window seat, with solo passengers less inclined to book a space between two other people.