1A is the best seat, especially if you just need to run to catch a connecting flight and don't have to wait to pick up a gate-checked bag. Yet, I always go for 18 A, the single emergency row exit seat if I have a gate checked bag and a small carry-on and/or coat to store as it is never easy to do so with 1A. There is more leg room in the emergency row seat than in 1A and by the time I exit the plane, my gate checked bag is ready to pick up usually without having to wait.