Choosing the Right Seat on a Plane

Even when flying the same airline, the specific plane you are on can make a big difference. Some routes may have one flight a day on the newest and most comfortable aircraft while all of the other flights going between those same cities are on an older or smaller plane that has bigger seats that recline a little more, but do not lie flat. 

In addition to the physical seat, the location of that seat can have a big impact on your in-flight experience. Many times the front row of the cabin, whether you are in first, business, premium, or economy, can have more room. But quite often these are also the seats that are closest to the restrooms and the galley, which can mean more noise and people congregating in those areas while waiting to use the facilities. In addition, these seats usually do not offer any floor storage since there is no seat in front of you. So, if you like to have your backpack, larger purse, or carry-on readily available, the front row is not for you since you will have to store all bags in the overhead compartment and will not be able to access them until the seat belt sign has been turned off.

On today’s larger planes there are also a number of smaller spaces, kind of cabins within cabins, that offer some additional benefits. If you like to sleep, these areas are usually quieter and darker than the larger sections of the plane. Another benefit is that quite often, there are one or two flight attendants assigned to this smaller area so the service can be substantially better. A great resource to check this, and numerous other aspects of the specific plane you are flying on is www.seatguru.com.

One last subject regarding seats, or rather classes of service. In addition to being aware of lie-flat vs reclining seats in business class as mentioned at the start of this article, many airlines are refining their premium economy products. In my experience, there is a huge variety in this category starting with “economy plus,” where you get slightly more legroom and that’s it. No food, no drinks, no wider seat, etc. At the other end of the spectrum, I have been on airlines where the premium economy cabin is almost like “business lite.” Wider seats, multi-course meal served on china, free flowing drinks, etc.

So, be sure to consider all your options and talk to your travel advisor before booking your flights!

- Doug Orens, VP, Plaza Travel