How to choose the best seat on a plane

There's no single "best" seat — it depends on how long you fly, whether you want to sleep and how fast you want off. These trade-offs help you choose.

Window or aisle?

• Window: a view, a wall to lean on and nobody climbing over you. Ideal if you want to sleep on a long flight.
• Aisle: easy to get up, stretch and be first off. Great on short flights or if you visit the toilet often.
• Middle: rarely a first choice — save it for when everything else is full.

Front or back?

• Front gets you off faster, which helps with a tight connection.
• Back is more often still free if you choose late, and the middle seat stays empty longer.
• Over the wing you feel turbulence least — handy if you're sensitive to it.

Extra legroom: when is it worth it?

Seats at the emergency exit and the first row have more legroom. On a short hop, usually not needed; on long-haul it can genuinely make your comfort. Factor the fee into your total ticket cost — see what a flight really costs.

Do you have to pay for a seat?

Often not. If you don't choose, the system assigns one free at check-in. Paying is worth it if you:

• want to sit together as a couple or family for sure,
• want a specific spot to sleep or to be first off,
• want extra legroom on a long flight.

Choose your flight smartly and cheaply with Flights, and you keep budget for the seat that makes your trip comfortable.

FAQ

What's the best seat to sleep in?

A window seat: something to lean on and nobody needs to pass you.

Where do you feel turbulence least?

Over the wings, around the middle of the aircraft.

Do I get a free seat if I don't choose?

Yes, at check-in the airline assigns one automatically. You only pay for a specific choice.