Anyone Prefer Middle Seats?
Feb 2, 2011 | 1:31 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SAN
Posts: 6,242
Anyone Prefer Middle Seats?
I'm scheduled to fly BNA-ATL next Friday. Booked the flight 2 months ago and picked a nice exit row aisle seat. I check back from time to time to make sure I haven't been booted out of my seat by an equipment swap or some such thing.
My row remained empty until about 3 or 4 days ago and I now have a seatmate. Interestingly, they chose (or perhaps were assigned) the middle seat. The only non middle seats left are the window seats in the exit rows.
I know it can be a bit cool in the Exit Row Window seats. But it got me to wondering if it really is possible that someone would intentionally choose a middle seat when an aisle or window is available.
So, are there any fters who prefer middle seats?
My row remained empty until about 3 or 4 days ago and I now have a seatmate. Interestingly, they chose (or perhaps were assigned) the middle seat. The only non middle seats left are the window seats in the exit rows.
I know it can be a bit cool in the Exit Row Window seats. But it got me to wondering if it really is possible that someone would intentionally choose a middle seat when an aisle or window is available.
So, are there any fters who prefer middle seats?
Feb 2, 2011 | 1:44 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: UA, Hertz Gold, AA Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 826
Could be that the person didn't want to pay extra for an Exit Row seat (or they know it's either colder there, or less comfortable in that the seat cushion is usually thinner and the arm rests don't come up). Also, if they didn't choose a seat, perhaps the airline assigned them the middle seat.
Also, it's only about a 30 minute flight, so perhaps they just don't care.
Also, it's only about a 30 minute flight, so perhaps they just don't care.
Feb 2, 2011 | 4:37 pm
#3
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Living the dream in Antigua and the nightmare in Florida
Programs: AA PLAT 2MM, *A Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 56,587
On full WN flights, when there are a lot of overweight people around, I have deliberately chosen the middle seat between two thin people, even when aisles and windows were left. For a short flight, I'd rather not be pushed out into the aisle or crushed into the window by someone who barely fits into a seat. I have also selected a center exit row seat for some long flights on AA, when the flight was obviously going to be full. On at least two occasions, I sat between a couple that then volunteered to take the center seat.
Feb 2, 2011 | 9:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold but PlatPro thanks to LPs
Posts: 4,456
My row remained empty until about 3 or 4 days ago and I now have a seatmate. Interestingly, they chose (or perhaps were assigned) the middle seat.
Feb 2, 2011 | 10:10 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Greenwich, CT/NY,NY
Programs: CO PP, AA EXP, UA 1K, DL DIA
Posts: 158
I'm scheduled to fly BNA-ATL next Friday. Booked the flight 2 months ago and picked a nice exit row aisle seat. I check back from time to time to make sure I haven't been booted out of my seat by an equipment swap or some such thing.
My row remained empty until about 3 or 4 days ago and I now have a seatmate. Interestingly, they chose (or perhaps were assigned) the middle seat. The only non middle seats left are the window seats in the exit rows.
I know it can be a bit cool in the Exit Row Window seats. But it got me to wondering if it really is possible that someone would intentionally choose a middle seat when an aisle or window is available.
So, are there any fters who prefer middle seats?
My row remained empty until about 3 or 4 days ago and I now have a seatmate. Interestingly, they chose (or perhaps were assigned) the middle seat. The only non middle seats left are the window seats in the exit rows.
I know it can be a bit cool in the Exit Row Window seats. But it got me to wondering if it really is possible that someone would intentionally choose a middle seat when an aisle or window is available.
So, are there any fters who prefer middle seats?
The widow seat could now be available because the person was upgraded to first.
Feb 2, 2011 | 10:12 pm
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: where the chile is hot
Programs: AA,RR,NW,Delta ,UA,CO
Posts: 49,095
All options open, I would never take a middle seat. I prefer aisle, except PHX-SLC-SEA, which I fly frequently. Flights are short and I never get tired of the aerial view of that part of the country.
However, when options are limited: I have taken a middle seat on a WN flight that looked like it was going to be packed - better to grab a middle between two small people than risk something worse.
And I have taken an exit row middle when the aisle/window were taken. I prefer exit row middle to non-exit row aisle/window.
However, when options are limited: I have taken a middle seat on a WN flight that looked like it was going to be packed - better to grab a middle between two small people than risk something worse.
And I have taken an exit row middle when the aisle/window were taken. I prefer exit row middle to non-exit row aisle/window.
Feb 3, 2011 | 1:41 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 94
I don't think anyone would intentionally choose a middle seat when there are aisle and window seats available. They may not want to be responsible for opening the door in case of an emergency. The window seat could've been taken when they were looking for seats and they preferred an exit row and the middle seat was the only exit seat available at the time they were seat selecting.
The widow seat could now be available because the person was upgraded to first.
The widow seat could now be available because the person was upgraded to first.
Feb 3, 2011 | 6:03 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MSY
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 6,057
Feb 3, 2011 | 6:21 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: On the road, 24/7/365
Posts: 3,589
Feb 3, 2011 | 7:16 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: DFW
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 161
Sorry, but I have no problem asking the FA or GA about their POS (Person of Size) policy and would they please enforce it.
On full WN flights, when there are a lot of overweight people around, I have deliberately chosen the middle seat between two thin people, even when aisles and windows were left. For a short flight, I'd rather not be pushed out into the aisle or crushed into the window by someone who barely fits into a seat. I have also selected a center exit row seat for some long flights on AA, when the flight was obviously going to be full. On at least two occasions, I sat between a couple that then volunteered to take the center seat.
Feb 3, 2011 | 7:52 am
#15
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: West Michigan
Programs: DL, UA, AA, (airline status-free leisure traveler), Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,971
I would only prefer a middle seat if it meant that my two beautiful little daughters were in the seats on each side of me while on our way to a warm weather destination. Geez that sounds good about now after the snow storm that we just had.