What’s the best seat on a plane? A comprehensive guide to choosing and swapping seats when flying!

FunTime Editorial Team

For some people, flying can be a really painful experience. If it’s a long-haul flight, picking a good seat is really important. I had a terrible experience when I flew to the U.S.—I sat for over 10 hours, couldn’t sleep because of a crying baby, and as soon as I got off the plane, all I wanted to do was lie in the hotel and sleep. All my excitement for the trip was gone. Come check out how to pick a good seat so your journey stays pleasant from start to finish!

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● Some airlines allow you to pre-select seats when booking or reserving, so you can ask the airline or travel agency at the time of booking whether this service is available.

● Some airlines offer priority seat selection for members who have joined their membership programs, usually 2–3 days before the flight. Policies vary by airline, and you can find relevant information on their official websites.

● If you buy a group ticket, you might not be able to pre-select seats. Generally, seats for group tickets are assigned by the airline uniformly.Usually, they’re in the last few rows of the cabin, allegedly assigned in alphabetical order by English name, and the seats cannot be changed. So if you have special seat preferences, it’s recommended to buy individual tickets.

● Group tickets are actually a way for travel agencies to reduce ticket costs, which makes the tickets cheaper, but the airline requires the group to enter and exit together, so flight times cannot be changed. Be especially mindful of this when buying tickets or package deals (flight + hotel) from a travel agency.

● Booking early allows you to ask the airline or travel agency to assign seats for you in advance.

● Become an airline member. Usually, airline members get priority seat reservations, and there’s also a pre-selection service, which increases your chances of getting a better seat.

● Choosing a higher cabin class—fact is, those who pay more always get better services first, even if you’re flying economy.

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● Generally, choosing seats on airlines doesn’t cost extra, but for certain popular specific seats—like first row or seats near emergency exits—airlines may assign them based on cabin class, and there may be slight fare differences.

● If you’re flying a low-cost carrier, seat selection usually comes at an additional cost. Depending on the budget airline and seat size, prices range roughly between $50 and $800, with quite a big difference. Usually, if you don’t pay for seat selection, the system will assign seats randomly. But if you have special needs—for example, wanting a window or aisle seat—you can also ask ground staff on-site!

● Some airlines set restrictions based on different ticket prices. If you buy a deeply discounted or low-price ticket, you usually can’t choose your seat.

● First-row seats: These are usually prioritized for families with children or passengers with limited mobility, as the seats are larger and it’s more convenient to board and disembark first.

● Seats near emergency exits: In case of emergencies, passengers in these seats are expected to assist the flight attendants in evacuating others, so these seats are usually reserved in advance. But you can ask at the check-in counter—there might be a chance to switch to one.

However, on low-cost carriers, first-row seats and seats near emergency exits can be purchased for an additional fee. Since the seats are more spacious, the seat selection fee is a bit higher.

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The answer is yes. For short-haul travelers, this might not make much difference, but if you’re on a long-haul flight, having an empty row to lie down in is super comfortable. But it’s recommended to change seats only after the plane has leveled off—if you switch during boarding and accidentally sit in someone else’s seat, that could be pretty awkward.

If you’re on a codeshare flight, because seat selection fees vary by block, it’s better not to switch seats lightly. I once saw a passenger who switched to an empty seat mid-flight and was politely discouraged by the flight attendant—that was an awkward situation!

There’s no definitive “better” seat. Many people like window seats because you can see the scenery outside and won’t be disturbed by people walking by. But if you’re on a long-haul flight, you’ll definitely need to use the restroom or get up to stretch often. When you do, you’ll have to keep asking the person next to you to “let you through,” which can feel a bit embarrassing—especially if the passenger next to you is fast asleep. That can be really annoying!

Front-row seats aren’t blocked by wings, so the view is better. Still, plenty of people love taking photos from seats with wing views—it feels more like you’re shooting from the plane itself. Also, sometimes the scenery outside affects seat choice. For example, on flights to Tokyo, the left-side window seats offer a view of Mount Fuji!

According to statistics, there’s no safest or least safe seat on a plane. An analysis by Popular Mechanics magazine in the U.S. showed that in 55% of American aviation accidents, survivors were mostly passengers seated in the rear cabin. However, some scientists say that in case of fire, passengers sitting near emergency exits and the rows immediately in front of and behind them have better chances of escaping.

Generally, seats toward the back experience more engine noise, the kitchen area often has flight attendants coming and going, and the lavatories are high-traffic zones. It’s recommended to avoid these areas if possible. Also, the space near the first row is larger and can accommodate portable baby bassinets, so it’s usually occupied by families with young children. If you’re noise-sensitive, you might want to avoid the first few rows as well.

Seats near emergency exits and the first row of compartments are the widest with the most legroom, but not everyone can sit there. Younger, stronger passengers are usually given priority so they can assist flight attendants in evacuating passengers in case of emergencies.

After reading these tips, you now know how to pick a good seat that suits you, right? Make your flight comfortable and enjoyable—not a terrifying and painful experience!

Authorized reprint from [FunTime Travel Search & Comparison Website]. Original article from [Must-Read Before Buying Air Tickets: How to Choose the Most Suitable Seat].