The best seats on a plane and some of the tricks to get them

Choosing the best seats on a plane is a real headache and rocket science than what it seems in the first place on your flights to India from USA. It becomes essential to know where the best seats are and what are the options for getting them. There are a lot of factors at work in deciding which seat is best for which passenger. Some people like aisle seats while some are window lovers while there are still others who don’t have a penchant for any of them and are happy to go with any of them including the middle one.

Here’s a complete guide about the seats of the airplane, their precise location, the pros and cons associated with them, and the know-how to get them. A lot of the time many permutations are at work in deciding which one will suit you like whether you are traveling alone or with a spouse or family or kids on your flights to India from USA.

The best places to sit on a plane

For a couple flying together

If you are with your spouse on flights to India from USA and are flying in economy class then you must select one window seat and one middle seat in the same row for the least disturbance from fellow passengers. And if you are flying business or first class then it is recommended that you choose two center seats.

For flying alone

If you are flying alone, then the preferred seat would be either window or aisle depending on your mood and comfort or whether you have economy or business class flights. The aisle seat is best if you have long legs or frequently use the dorm. The window seat would be a great haven when you were worried about the view outside and wanted the least hassle.

Flying with family or infant

If you are flying with family then pre-booking two complete sets of rows would be an ideal choice as you would have the least interference from anyone. If you are flying with an infant then you should request a bassinet/sky cot seat. A small bed for the babies fixed to the airplane bulkhead wall makes the Bassinet seat for babies and young toddlers. They can also be built into seat cabins for toddlers.

Pros and cons of different types of seats on a plane

Window seat

Window seat comes with both pros and cons. While the unhindered and first-hand view outside of the clouds or ground below is the charm of the window seat, it is also useful if you are sleepy and need rest as you get the wall in addition to the headrest for placing your head. And on top of this none will bother you with permission to use the lavatory. The only 2 cons associated with the window seat is you need to excuse your fellow passengers in case you need to use the lavatory while the other con is if you have long legs then it can really get cumbersome.

Aisle seats

Needless to say, aisle seats are preferred by those who have longer legs as it gives them the space to stretch from time to time. Freedom of the movement is the major advantage for the beholder of the aisle seat. The only con is the frequent disturbance in the form of requests by fellow passengers to give them a way to the dormitory or lavatory. It really hinders sleep of the aisle seat holder.

Middle seat

The least favored of all is the middle seat of a plane. It has got no charm like the other seats. The only consolation for the middle seat occupier is that he/she has the right over both the armrests, well exactly that’s what the unspoken conventions say. The middle seat occupier has restricted use of the passage in the sense that he has to excuse the aisle occupier for the usage of the lavatory neither does he/she own the charm of the window views.

Front part seats on the Airplane

One of the foremost advantages of the front seat of an airplane is a comparatively lower level of noise. The other advantage is you get out of the airplane faster as you are near to the exit door. Moreover, you will get your food ahead of others which means it will be slightly hotter and fresher than the others. The only disadvantage of the front part of the plane is that it is full most of the time and is considered dangerous in the event of a crash. But there is nothing much to worry about as statistics show the probability of death by a crash is 1 in 5 million.

Seats in the back of the Airplane

Many crash tests have confirmed that the rear seats of the plane are the safest of all in the event of a calamity. Generally, people tend to prefer the front part rather than the rear because of the noise from the engines of aircraft and of course the cold prevalent in the rear part.

Emergency seats

Emergency seats and bulkhead seats near the emergency gates are considered the best seats on an airplane as they tend to offer more legroom. Another major advantage of these seats you are freed from a reclining seat in front of you. The disadvantage is that the seats tend to be a little narrower than the rest and it is not possible to store cabin luggage under the seats in front of you as there are no seats in front. Please note that pregnant women and physically handicapped persons are not allowed to occupy these seats due to the protocols of emergency.

Things to consider while choosing the seats on an airplane

Airplane travel entails many things to consider with respect to the choice of seats

Airline rules & seating policy

Does the airline have assigned seats? And how many seats each row contains? If in case you have an assigned seat and you dont like it and wish for a change then what? Or whether the airline has a strict seating policy? So to avoid last-minute surprises it is better that one should acquaint oneself with all the rules and procedures associated with the flight. It is advisable to check the airline’s website for information about their seating policies. Ideally, everyone should be on the same page regarding where they want to sit or not.

Personal preferences

Whether you are a first-time flyer or have food allergies or food restrictions, they all have a bearing on your travel and the choices you make. Whether you are old or young, your body type does have an impact on how comfortable your seat is. Is sleep the most important for you or do you need the space below the seat in front for stowing your bags? Whether you have issues with motion sickness or not, if this is the case, then it is better to avoid window seats at all costs due to the paucity of air in that part.

Physical ability

Bodily disabilities have a great bearing on travel during the flight because some airlines have specific guidelines like whether or not they will allow passengers who have certain medical conditions aboard. People with muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy, always need assistance getting into/out of their seats. It is advisable to check ahead with your airline before booking tickets

Know-how of getting the best seats on an airplane

Different airlines operate airplanes, therefore, they each have a different number of seats, arrangements, and space between them. But there are useful websites that present maps of different type of airplanes of some airlines. They help you choose the best place to sit on a plane. To get a sample picture of the aircraft with seats mark in color according to their comfort level, enter the airline name, date of journey, and flight number.

At check-in at the airport

An option is available to apply for a seat at the check-in counter of the airport provided the seat is not booked already. So, if you want a seat of your choice, then arrive early at the airport well in advance of your departure.

Elite status

Elite status on an airline is acquired when you collect miles by frequently traveling with the one Airline. The more you travel with one airline more miles you have and the more amenities in return. For their loyal passengers, the airline allows the privilege of choosing their favorite seats with more legroom for free. It is the easiest and most comprehensive way of getting a favorable seat without any extra hassle.

Keep checking

If you have booked your last minute flight tickets, then chances are remote that you will get your favorite seats as the golden seats will already be booked and gone. But, there is no point of fretting as some of the good seats might still be available. The ploy is to keep checking your reservation and seat chart every hour or so. Frequent flyers almost always reserve the best seats. The golden seat may fall vacant due to the case of seat upgradation of any of the frequent flyers. In that, it helps if you refresh the seating chart every hour.

Be courteous with others

There is nothing in this world that matches good, friendly, and courteous behavior. During airplane travel, the adage holds good too. Keeping a good smile on your face and politely asking the gatekeeper to allot you a plush seat gives a long way. Your courteous behavior will likely earn you a plush seat if it is available.

Different seating arrangements for different flights

The seating plan and seat type differ from plane to plane and for each of your flights, you will have different seating arrangements. Airlines usually have different policies about where you can sit on the plane or what you can do if you are on a window seat. For any queries concerning seats you should ask flight attendants as they must have had similar requests from many passengers before and knows the answers to your queries.

No law or convention requires airlines to heed to your request. It is only a courtesy if they give an ear to your requests.

Conclusion

Please check beforehand whether the airlines have open seating policies in place so that everyone has a fair chance at getting their preferred seats on board. Also, you should check whether or not, there’s an extra fee for last minute flights.

The best seats on a plane depend on the personal liking of the passenger. Some like aisle seats while some like windows, while there are still others who have no preference at all, they are good to go with anything. Lastly, the golden rule is that if you want to sleep during the flight, then a window seat is the best as you will get more headspace between the headrest and the wall. If you want to read, then go to the aisle as it is comfortable for legs and has more stretching space.