I love looking out the window. Especially at take-off and landing time, but in between too. I love the view.

Imagine my horror when recently I boarded an AF A321 for the first time and finding out that my exit-row window seat, 23A, was positioned such that from that seat it was impossible to see out any window anywhere, with the exception of the small round (distorting) window in the emergency exit on the other side of the plane.

Which reminds me, I should check if seatguru updated their info about that yet because when I checked to see what seats would be good, they made no mention of it.

well - I generally get to control 3 to 4 windows... so I can watch my screen! That's what's important!

I mean - it gets to the extent on some flights that window passengers, with their shades open, are using the inflight magazine to shade their PTVs. I just don't understand how it doesn't occur to them to just lower their shade... not only for them.. but so anyone else might watch too!

Window in First class, whenever possible.

Window in coach if I expect to sleep and don't want to be disturbed by seat-mates.

Other than that, aisle for sure, nice to be able to get up whenever you like without having to ask or step over/around someone else.

I was a window person until the airlines began scrunching the seats together in the 1990s. Then I became an aisle person.

Clearly the best option if not in "real" F!

For me it depends. Window in J on the upper deck to get the side storage bins and so I can sleep undisturbed if it's long haul. In the old days it was always a window on the RHS of the plane, irrespective of class, whenever I flew into Kai Tak - that was just the best approach ever!

Aisle for domestic short haul, especially in economy.

Window unless it's a 3-abreast seating (like 757s). Unless I can guarantee that the middle seat will be empty OR if it's a redeye.

If it's 2-abreast (like 767s), I'll take the window, especially if it's a new airport in flying out of/into.

Used to always do windows, on the north side of the plane (when flying transcon) to get better light. I carried various maps (AAA maps will do fine) and learned my way around the country by visual landmarks, and in the process, picked out a number of great locations to later explore on the ground (being a hiker/backpacker).

Also really like to lean my head against the wall to sleep.

But alas, as age has caught up with me, I've switched to aisles as I need to get up frequently, mostly due to bladder issues. I miss the old days of having an empty middle seat, ha.

For me, it depends on the length and time of the flight. If its a shorter flight, I get the aisle. If its a longer flight or I plan to sleep, I get the window.

I always enjoyed a window seat. I had a bad experience one time a fat person was sitting in the middle seat on a long flight and was hanging over my seat. I do hate it when I am in the middle or isle seat and the person at the window pulls the shade down for the entire flight, some even on landing.

I have almost always preferred and requested an aisle seat. I'm 6'2" with long legs and I appreciate some extra room the aisle provides for me, especially when I have a larger person sitting in the middle seat next to me. On a flight yesterday from Santo Domingo, DR to Atlanta (delayed 3 hours) I was assigned a window seat, and I enjoyed it. I don't get up much on short flights like this so it wasn't inconvenient and I enjoyed looking out the window and also the extra shoulder room.

Used to be only window. Now I shoot for the following:

1. Business/First: Always window
2. Short flight (2 1/2 hours or less): Window
3. Longer flight on a narrow body A/C: Aisle
4. Transatlantic coach: Aisle
5. Widebody - Depends on seating config. If it is 2-4-2, I'll take a window. Otherwise, aisle.
6. Have to try to clear customs and make short connection: Aisle

Reading lights are fine on night flights as it doesnt bother as many people.

In a dark interior plane cabin, an open shade window can affect people on the other side of the wide body plane.
Inconsiderate to do that.
That's why there are reading lights.

^

Same here, at least in Y.

I regularly fly PHX-SLC-SEA - that's one exception. I not only want window seats, I'm picky about which side I sit on. I never get tired of seeing Mt. Rainier (and, to a lesser extend, the Grand Canyon).

Otherwise, I start to get claustrophobic, particularly if there's a full-size person in the middle or aisle seat.

In a darkened cabin, it is pretty startling when someone raises the window shade, but one of my most memorable flights was a late departure from NRT. I'd gotten upgraded, meal service was on. We flew through a lightning storm, huge solid seeming clouds like slot canyons with lightning flashes. Simply spell-binding.

It is a nuisance when someone turns on the overhead reading lamp (deliberately or inadvertently) or the personal IFE and then goes to sleep for hours. That can be pretty annoying.

You've heard of eye-shades, yeah?

Aisle for me -I have to sip water regularly (auto-immune condition stops me producing enough saliva) so the side effect is lots of trips to the toilet. I don't like to disturb my seat mate.