I’m a Travel Expert: Economy Flyers Should Always Book These Seats

Walk down the aisle of any full flight and you’ll see the same thing. Rows of seats that look identical on the booking screen turn out to be very different once you’re strapped in. One passenger stretches out, and another has a tray table pressed against their ribs.

The gap usually comes down to where on the plane you sit, and most people find out too late. A handful of seats keep coming up when frequent flyers, travel editors and booking guides talk about economy. Here is where they are and why they get picked.

The Exit Row Aisle for Maximum Legroom

Exit rows are the classic answer for a reason. They often have the most generous legroom in economy, and airlines know it, which is why they usually charge extra.[1] Standard economy pitch tends to run between 30 and 32 inches[2], while one guide puts exit rows at 36 to 40 inches[3].

One frequent flyer who sits in economy about once a week says he heads for the aisle seat in the exit row when he can’t snag an upgrade.[4] There are trade-offs, though. Seats may not recline, there’s no under seat storage during takeoff and landing, and it can be colder near the door.[5] You’ll also be expected to help in an emergency.

Bulkhead Seats When You Want a Clear View Ahead

A bulkhead seat sits directly behind a cabin partition, so nobody is in front of you. One travel expert quoted by Yahoo Travel calls them a good economy option[6]. She adds that they’re sometimes closer to the front of the plane, which can help with quicker boarding and deplaning.[6]

The downsides are real, though. Airlines usually place bassinets in bulkhead rows[7], so these seats can get noisy when babies are on board. Another travel writer says she doesn’t enjoy bulkhead seats[8]. Check the aircraft before you pay extra, because exit row and bulkhead seats are both marketed as extra legroom, but the difference between them can be significant.[1]

An Aisle Seat in the Center Block of a Widebody

On a long international flight, a twin aisle jet gives you a smart option. One expert’s pick for the best economy seat on those flights is an aisle seat in the center section of a widebody aircraft.[6] The reason is simple. You can get up whenever you need to, and since there’s another aisle nearby, you’re rarely boxed in.[6]

The aisle is what matters here, because the seats between the aisles are a different story. One booking guide advises you to avoid center block seats on widebody aircraft when possible.[7] Meanwhile, a Skyscanner survey found that only about one percent of fliers prefer a middle seat, according to the study cited by Fox News.[9]

A Window Seat If Sleep Is the Goal

When the plan is to doze, the window is the safer bet. Experts across the board advise choosing a window seat if you’re hoping to catch a few Zs.[6] You won’t get disturbed as often by neighbors getting up, or by carts and passengers who bump you on their way down the aisle.[6]

There’s also something practical about the cabin wall. A window seat gives you something to lean against, control over the shade, and nobody climbing past you in the dark.[7] If you’re on a very long overnight flight, that small bit of control can matter more than a few extra inches of legroom.

The Aisle and Window Pair for Couples

Two people traveling together can use a simple trick. When flying with one other person, book an aisle and a window in the same row.[9] The logic is that people are less likely to book the middle, so it’s often the last seat to go.[9]

One Kayak writer says he and his girlfriend do exactly this, and often end up with a free seat between them.[1] If the flight is full, it still works out. Whoever lands in the middle will probably be willing to swap for an aisle or window.[9] Some aircraft help too, since many Airbus A330 layouts have a two seat side section[7] that avoids a third person in your row.

A Front Aisle When Your Connection Is Tight

Sometimes the best seat has nothing to do with comfort. If you have a short layover, the goal is to get off fast. Sitting near the front of the plane means you can exit quickly, and an aisle seat lets you grab your bag and go without waiting for others.[10]

A frequent flyer who books economy most weeks follows this rule. When he has only an hour or so to make a connection, he books an aisle seat as close to the front of the cabin as possible.[4] He’s also noted that requests to be moved up are often ignored once you’re on board, so it pays to choose the seat at booking.

The Rows Worth Skipping

Knowing what to avoid is half the battle. According to Kayak, the back row wins the award for worst seat on the plane, narrowly ahead of the row in front of the emergency exit and the dividing bulkhead.[11] The row ahead of an exit has a clear reason behind it, since the design keeps plenty of space in the exit row behind you in case of emergencies.[8]

Bathrooms and galleys deserve a wide berth as well. One guide says to avoid seats near lavatories because of noise and traffic, the last row for limited recline, and middle seats in the back.[5] Opinions do differ on the back of the plane. One travel editor likes an aisle seat about four or five rows from the back[12] on long flights, while Yahoo Travel notes that aisle seats toward the back can seem appealing for bathroom access, but many travelers regret the trade-offs.[8]

Timing and Tools for Landing the Seat You Want

Good seats go early. One airline seat guide warns that by boarding time, the best seats are long gone.[8] On some fares you can’t pick ahead anyway, because lower tier economy tickets may restrict seat selection until check in.[10]

It helps to look at the seat map before you book and confirm the aircraft type, such as a Boeing 787-9 or an Airbus A330-300.[13] One guide labels SeatGuru as discontinued, so it’s worth also checking the airline’s own seat map. A polite request at the gate can also turn up seats you didn’t know about[9], and better economy seats may open up at the last minute as elite passengers get upgraded.[9]

When Paying a Little Extra Makes Sense

Many airlines now sell their own version of extra room. Delta and United offer extra legroom economy seats, such as Delta Comfort+ and United Economy Plus, for an additional fee.[10] One guide described JetBlue’s Even More Space as a 38 inch pitch starting around ten dollars extra.[10] Prices change, so check the current fee before you assume anything.

The bigger question is whether premium economy is within reach. One guide says that if it’s a moderate step up in price, it usually beats any economy best seat for width, recline, and legroom.[14] If the gap is large, a well chosen exit row or a quiet window may be the better value.[14]