Choosing the best seat on a plane is a guarantee of having the most pleasant journey possible. Not all seats offer the same level of comfort, and it all depends on the airline. Above all, each passenger has different expectations and needs in this regard, whether it is a question of being able to enjoy peace and quiet, a more spacious and comfortable seat when you are tall, a seat in a part of the plane where the turbulence is least felt, etc. Our 6 tips for choosing the best seat on a plane for a peaceful journey!
1 – Book your seat when you buy your flight
To be sure of getting the best seat on the plane, in any case the one that best meets your expectations, it is best to book it when you buy your ticket.
Thanks to the plane map, which is generally available online at the time of booking, you can choose the seat that suits you best.
It’s true that this solution means paying a little more for your flight because for many airlines today, choosing your seat is an option that comes at an extra cost. But it’s the best way to be sure of having a pleasant trip that meets your needs in terms of positioning on the plane.
Note: the earlier you book your flight, the more chance you have of choosing your seat without paying extra. Some airlines offer free seats as soon as bookings open. But you have to be quick in this case, because the number of these seats is usually very limited.
2 – Take into account the different classes available on the plane
For long-haul trips in particular, you will generally have a choice of several classes when selecting your seat: economy, premium economy, business and first class.
Obviously, if the airline offers these different options, the higher the class you choose, the more comfortable your trip will be.
You can thus benefit from additional services (meals, bar service, etc.), but also from more comfortable, wider seats that can recline or even lie flat in some cases.
This comfort does, however, inevitably come at a higher cost, which varies from one airline to another. But it is your guarantee of choosing the best seat on the plane and enjoying a trip in comfort and well-being.
3 – The best seat for peace and quiet on the plane
To be sure of having a pleasant flight, choosing a seat that guarantees as much peace and quiet as possible is the priority for a large number of passengers, especially for long-haul flights.
The first piece of advice is therefore not to choose a seat that is close to the toilets or galleys of the plane.
These areas are inevitably the busiest in an airplane, and therefore the source of noise, due to the numerous comings and goings of passengers and cabin crew. The smell of cooking can also be very disturbing and ruin a trip by plane!
To really enjoy peace and quiet on a plane, it is best to choose a seat by the window. Firstly because you won’t be disturbed by people coming and going in the aisle.
Being located near a window also allows you to enjoy an unparalleled view, to not have to get up if your neighbor wants to move, unlike a seat near an aisle, but also gives you the opportunity to rest your head if you want to take a nap, which is important for a comfortable trip.
Choosing a seat that is as quiet as possible on a plane also means opting for the least noisy zone. This is located more towards the front, in any case between the wings and the front of the plane, i.e. the one furthest from the engines. The rear of a plane is where most of the noise is concentrated.
In addition, in some aircraft, the seats at the front are separated by a partition, which further limits the noise for the aircraft and the passengers.
Seats near the emergency exits should also be avoided if you want to be quiet on the plane, as these doors are less well insulated.
4 – How much room do you need on a plane if you are tall?
Flying, especially on a long journey, is not always a pleasure for tall people who need more legroom and to be comfortably seated.
There are two main options available to you if this is the case. The best seats are either near the emergency exits or on the aisle side.
The former are generally more spacious and leave more room to stretch your legs. But you should know that these more comfortable seats for taller people are reserved for people who are able to help the crew in an emergency, i.e. who are in good physical condition and preferably who speak and understand English to be able to apply the instructions given in such a situation.
The best place to choose to stretch your legs is also the one along the aisle. However, this means not obstructing the passage of the on-board staff, but also of passengers who are moving around, particularly to go to the toilet.
Finally, the seats at the front of the plane also offer more legroom. However, you need to book them early because there are not many and they are often more expensive.
5 – Choose your seat on the plane to feel turbulence less
Traveling by plane exposes you to the risk of turbulence. While there are no seats on a plane that are guaranteed to avoid these hazards, some seats are recognized as being a little less prone to them.
So if you are afraid of these sensations, if you feel uneasy on a plane or are prone to travel sickness, it is best to choose a seat near the wings, as this area is close to the plane’s center of gravity.
In any case, avoid a seat at the back where the jolts felt during turbulence are stronger and can make air travel uncomfortable.
6 – An aisle seat if you want to move around easily
If you need to move around during a plane journey to stretch your legs, go to the toilet easily, etc., you should choose a seat near an aisle.
This is the best place to leave your seat without having to disturb your neighbors. Remember, however, that uninvited movement on a plane is to be avoided, particularly so as not to interfere with the work of the stewards and stewardesses.
