What is the best seat on a plane?

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Traveling is one of the most pleasant activities you can do. However, the trip itself can be quite an uncomfortable experience if you’re one of those with “ants in your pants”. So if you’ve chosen the plane as the way to travel, choosing the right seat can make a difference on your flight. In this article, we’ll try to guide you on how to select the best seat on an airplane and provide you with valuable information to make the right choice.

How to choose the best airplane seat?

Whether you’re looking for comfort, peace of mind, safety, or simply value for money, seat selection on the plane depends on your personal preferences, specific needs and, of course, your pocket. So, consider the following to make the right decision:

Most comfortable seat on an airplane

If comfort is your main concern, business class seats are the best choice. These seats are located at the front of the aircraft. With a less densified distribution, this class provides greater quietness and privacy since the seats are grouped in pairs for the central part and just one by the windows, being wider, fully reclining, with more room for your legs and all with direct access to the corridor so you won’t have to worry about bothering anyone when you want to stand up.

A more affordable alternative than business class but also worthy, if you can afford it, is the tourist premium. Also less densified, with wider seats and more legroom, not fully reclining but more than tourist seats. In this class you will have to decide between aisle or window as distribution is different from that of the upper classes and not all seats have direct access to the aisle.

Quietest seat on a plane

If what you want is to avoid noise and distractions, the seats in the middle of the plane tend to be quieter. Although they can be close to the engines, nowadays the planes are no longer as noisy as they used to and those, once in flight, have a constant noise that can be, even, “lulling”. On the other hand, these seats are further away from service areas, which reduces noise and disruptions during the flight.

Safest seat on an airplane

For those squeamish people who always imagine the worst, the back of the plane is, statistically, the part that offers the highest chance of survival in the event of an accident. Even so, we must not forget that safety is a priority in aviation and the aircraft is the safest means of transport that exists, having to meet very high safety standards. However, emergency exit seats offer a quicker evacuation option if necessary. Yet, it must be noticed that to sit here it is necessary to comply with some requirements such as being able and willing to help in case of an evacuation.

Despite what some studies may say, other experts state that there is no such thing as a safer area inside an aircraft. Instead, there are ways to increase the chances of not getting injured no matter where you’re sitting. Thus, next time you fly, pay attention to safety instructions, however boring they may seem, see where is the closest exit to your seat, keep your seatbelt fastened whenever you are seated and follow the crew indications. Any how, always remember that the chances of an accident are remote so don’t worry too much about it.

Cheapest seat on a plane

In case money is what worry you most, you will have to look for the cheapest price when buying the ticket. Tickets are sold with no seat assigned. These are distributed when check-in is done. At this point you will be able to choose where to sit with a small extra fee. Thus, the emergency exits and those behind the separation panels between classes are the most requested for their greater legroom.

If you don’t want to pay the extra fee and do not choose a seat, the system will randomly assign you one based on your fare. Seats at the rear are the first to be assigned to the cheapest ticket fares as are the ones that offer the smallest space between rows and are usually closer to service areas and toilets.

Get to know the inside of an airplane

Now, let’s explore the different parts of the interior of an airplane that you must know to make an informed decision about your seat:

Passenger cabin: The passenger cabin is where the passenger seats are. It is distributed in different classes, with different types of seats, each with its specific amenities.
Toilets: Toilets are usually located at the back of the plane and, in some cases, in the middle. Knowing its location can be helpful if you plan frequent trips to the loo during the flight.
Galleys: Galleys are the service areas where the crew prepare and serve meals and drinks. These areas can be quite noisy and busy, so it’s important to consider them when selecting your seat.
Emergency exits: These exits are strategically located along the aircraft and are crucial in case of evacuation. Seats near emergency exits offer extra legroom, but they also carry the responsibility of helping in emergency situations.

In short, the choice of a seat on an airplane depends on personal preferences and travel needs. If you look for comfort, consider business class seats. For peace of mind, opt for seats in the middle of the plane. If you’re looking for safety, emergency exit seats are a good choice. Finally, if you are taking care of your budget, buy the cheapest rate and wait for the system to assign you a window if you want to sleep without anyone bothering you, or a corridor if you want to be free to move without disturbing anyone.

We hope this information will help you to enjoy your next flight to the fullest!

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