I was once assigned a seat in the middle of a row of five on a Boeing 777 on a full flight that also turned out to be one of my longest ever: strong head winds extended the flight time of the flight from Kuala Lumpur to Amsterdam to 14 hours 15 minutes. During the flight, I couldn’t help but think how I got myself into that seat (or rather, predicament) in the first place. On any plane, there are the best seats and the worst – this was definitely the worst! I can’t remember ever feeling so elated to get off a plane. Since then, I’ve made it a point to do some research and book a specific seat in advance to ensure I get a good seat on the plane.

The best seats on a plane – factors to consider

Your choice of seat, especially on long-haul flights, is crucial for your comfort during the flight. Not all seats are the same. Even in Business Class, there are seats that are better located than others.

Bulkhead seats

Bulkhead seats are located at the front of the cabin or the first row after a dividing wall and offer more legroom. An increasing number of airlines charge extra for these seats, in both Economy and Business Class. For airlines with a Business Class product, it’s becoming increasingly common to offer these seats as a Business Class+ seat (for an extra charge or reserved for the highest tier frequent flyers). Examples include JetBlue’s Mint Studio, Virgin Atlantic’s Retreat Suite.

However, if the seats are located near the galley or toilets, it could be noisy as the crew prepare meals or chat with each other in between service times, or when passengers utilise the toilets. The light emanating from the galley could also be a nuisance when the cabin is dark (eye shades are a quick fix).

 

Window seats

If you like window seats (like I do), you’ll want to check if there really is a window (it could be a blocked window or wall). In the case of Business Class, some airlines have staggered seats which mean that some seats are further from the window (with a storage cabinet between the seat and the window) than others. This is troublesome if you enjoy the plane views like I do.

When flying in Business Class, I much prefer seats located directly next to the window. In addition, these seats will have the storage compartment on the outer side of the seat, thereby creating more distance between the seat and the aisle.

To identify the seats directly next to the window, look up the seat map of your flight – most airlines show the seat map during the booking process (where you can make your seat selection).

Another advantage of booking a window seat, especially on long-haul flights, is that you can rest your head against the wall and sleep more comfortably.

Exit row seats

Seats in the Exit rows usually offer more legroom – and many airlines charge extra for these seats – but beware of the window seats. On wide-body aircraft, the bulky compartment protruding from the door that houses the emergency slides may inhibit your legroom. Furthermore, if you enjoy the views offered by a window seat, an Exit row seat at the wing means your view will be blocked. In addition, this area also tends to be colder than the rest of the cabin.

Another drawback of Exit row seats is that they won’t recline. This is because a reclined seat may cause an obstruction during an emergency. For the same reason, many airlines prohibit the storage of bags under the seat in front.

One more point to consider when booking an Exit row seat: you must be fluent in the native language to be able to understand the emergency procedures. You should also be willing to assist during an emergency, and be physically capable of handling the emergency door.

Seats in the back

Seats in the last row often have limited reclining space because of the wall behind. Aisle seats close to lavatories and galleys may also not be a good option as you’ll have people bumping into you throughout the flight as they head for the lavatories (or galley for snacks) and back.

Other factors to consider

Keep in mind that seats in the back, i.e. behind the wing, are in the noisiest part of the cabin due to the engine thrust. This section typically experiences noise levels that are a 1-2 decibels higher than in the front. However, the A380 and new generation planes such as the A350 and B-787 (Dreamliner) are quieter than their predecessors, making the noise factor a less important consideration. Furthermore, noise-cancelling headphones are an easy remedy.

Another factor to consider is turbulence. Passengers in seats at or close to the plane’s centre of gravity (the wing section) typically experience the least turbulence while those in the rear experience the most.

The best seats in Business Class

In Business Class, I’ll always book a window seat at least one row away from the galley and lavatories. Bulkhead seats are more often than not considered the best seats on a plane. They offer more room than other regular seats but I would only choose a bulkhead seat if they’re not directly behind the galley or toilets, or if the seat has a door.

In Singapore Airlines’ Business Class on long-haul flights, you can only stretch your legs or sleep in a diagonal position due to the footwell’s location to the side of the seat in front. If you’re flying Business Class on Singapore Airlines, try to book the bulkhead as these seats provide the most legroom and you don’t have to sleep at an angle as there’s a large ottoman instead of a footwell to rest your legs.

Air France reputedly has the best (i.e. most spacious) Business Class bulkhead seat – available on A350-900 and B777-300ER planes for a surcharge. 

The best seats in Economy Class

The choice of which seat to book depends on factors such as comfort, legroom and connection time (if applicable). If you have little time to connect to your next flight, try to sit as far to the front as you can for quicker disembarkation. 

On short-haul flights in Economy, I’ll typically choose a window seat (for the views) and pay extra to sit in the front of the cabin. If available, I’ll book an Economy+ seat that offers more legroom.

For long-haul flights:

1. I’ll first consider a Premium Economy seat, if available. These offer more personal space and legroom, and better meals.
2. If Premium Economy is too costly, I’ll then consider a bulkhead or Exit row seat for a bit more legroom.
3. Should these not be within my budget, I will then go for an aisle seat located about 4-5 rows from the back. These seats offer direct aisle access and there’s sufficient distance from toilets and galleys. In addition, as airlines often fill up planes starting from the front, if the flight isn’t full, there’s a bigger chance that you might have a whole row to yourself. These aisle seats in the back are often recommended by cabin crew as some of the best seats on a plane.

Read more about the safest seats on a plane, my favourite travel pillow and my favourite plane to fly on.