Originally Posted by
ElmhurstNick
On Southwest, if I can't get the exit row aisle seat, my preferred seats are 15-16-17C (out of 23). Far enough back to get to the bathroom easily during the drink service, and far enough back that nobody takes the center seat if the flight is only 3/4 full.
On Southwest the rows just aft of the window exits are the last to fill in. People pass these empty middle seats looking for an aisle or window seat. Then they reach the back of the aircraft and turn around, settling for a middle seat back there.
On airlines with assigned seating, the rear rows are the most likely to have empty middles. For example, on TATL flights I always request a center aisle seat about 3 rows from the back. Sometimes I get a row of 3 or 4 seats this way, making for a VERY comfortable flight.