How to choose the best seats when flying
Seats at the front of the plane are almost always the best choice. They offer more legroom, better seat pitch and slightly wider seats. Sitting up front also allows for faster boarding and deplaning, as well as a quieter experience. If you can’t secure one of these seats, here are the next-best options.
Bulkhead seats, once less desirable due to limited storage and a physical barrier reducing legroom, have become a much better choice. Many airlines have removed the physical barriers, making these seats more spacious and providing improved carry-on storage. They also typically come with extra legroom and a sense of privacy.
If bulkhead seats aren’t available, exit-row seats are an excellent alternative. These seats provide extra legroom as well, but avoid the first row of the exit row, as the seats don’t recline to keep the emergency pathway clear. The second row is generally more comfortable.
If bulkhead and exit-row seats aren’t an option, premium economy seats are worth considering. These seats typically provide several inches of additional legroom and improved comfort compared to standard economy.
Sometimes, of course, you’re just stuck with a bad seat. In that case, try to get an aisle seat and move around throughout the flight if you can.
To make the best choice, tools like SeatGuru can help you review your aircraft’s specific seating configuration, as layouts can vary widely between airlines.