Aisle or Window...Preference Poll
 

Okay gang,

Just looking for some feedback here...which seat location do you prefer?

I know that the aisle seats are better for spreading out and a little more elbow room, but you might be constantly bumped by passing passengers, FAs, carts, etc. Also, having to get up to let seatmates walk, go to the bathroom, etc. On the other hand, window seats can be a bit more confining, but you get a nice extra headrest for lounging or sleeping. But, you also have to climb over seatmates if it is YOU that needs to get up.

I am not a big airplane sleeper myself, and because I have fairly long arms [the Kevin McHale symdrome I call it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif ], the extra aisle room is nice.

What does everyone else here prefer and why?

I always prefer the window because you just never know what you might see when you look out. I fly SEA/PDX every week and never grow tired of the fabulous views (of course I realize that most commutes aren't this scenic).

The little commuter planes fly lower so we get a much closer look at the mountains, which never cease to amaze me. Every angle of light and level of clouds paints a totally different picture. Add in the beauty of the sound, the river and the cities and this is one of the most beautiful flights in the world. Of course, nothing compares with flying over the Glaciers going in and/or out of Anchorage one one of those rare crystal clear Alaska days.

There is also the sleep factor and I can sleep like a baby on planes.

I prefer window seats on shorter flights, but go for aisle on longer or red-eye flights. For last minute upgrades I'm happy for whatever is available.

Window if I want to daydream or take a nap, aisle if it's cloudy or dark outside or if I'm sure the flight is full.

Definitely window - for 2 reasons: for the view and leaning room/extra headrest. I too never tire of some of the views, especially into PDX and some of the Denver routes. I'm always up for a great sunset too.

I'm even more picky - window on the left side, anything but the bulkhead (bulkhead on shuttle seems to be growing smaller every flight). 2A if I can get it (and the upgrade, that is...)

The opposite of oldgold; aisle on short flights and windows on long flights (so I can sleep and not have to get up everytime seatmates need to use the restroom).

I like window seats... I usually try to get 1A or the bulkhead window. Then I am free to move around the cabin without disturbing anyone. I cannot sleep on plane most of the time, so I like to look out the window once a while, especially on long transpacific flights. I managed to see some lightning show and the clounds are beautiful especially during sunrise.

I usually get a window in first, and aisle in coach. I'd prefer window in coach too but a couple of times I wanted to get up and the person in aisle was sleeping.

[This message has been edited by PG (edited 11-20-1999).]

In First/Business I prefer window. In coach, for flights under 2 hours, and if I'm not in a hurry to get off the plane, I'll do window. For flights more than 2 hours, I'll do aisle except on aircraft with big exit rows (i.e. 747, 777) in which case I'll take the window in the exit row. I like to look out the window (it's pretty much all I need to keep myself occupied even on a 14 hour flight).

Wow! Lots of window fanatics out there!

Even though I mentioned above I take a lot of aisles, I've also taken quite a few windows lately for a couple of reasons.

1. I've got a pretty "iron" bladder and rarely have to get up to use the facilities, so I'd rather not have others climb over me.

2. Flying in/out of Dubuque on commuter planes (as Punki mentioned) means flying closer to the ground and getting to see some really interesting scenery at times. On a recent flight, I was able to trace my normal weekly drive route all the way from Dubuque to Chicago...pretty cool stuff!

Let's keep this thread going...interested in others opinions as well.

He he...

I prefer.... BOTH! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

In Canadian Airlines 767 Business class, the A seat (left side) is a single, so you get both a window and an aisle. You also get a "glove box" that's about 12" wide on the right side of your seat, to put stuff in. This also means the aisle, and people carrying on television sets and the like are 12" further away from you. No more bruised heads.

You also get 65" of seat pitch. Not bad, for domestic business class.

Aisle, because I need the room for my long legs.

1B: the catbird set, right by the lavatory and near the cockpit (so I can see what's going on in the galley and the cockpit.

But if AuH20 or Mr. Lion are on the plane I guess I can give it up for you.

ANother of the cat's rules: if there is someone (esp a nice lady) who wants to sit by the window, I would switch. (remember Drew Barrymore in "The Wedding Singer?")

Definitely window! Like many other people on this board, I enjoy the scenery during flight and especially during takeoff and landing. I actually feel MORE confined when I sit in an aisle seat because all I can see around me is a narrow aluminum tube. Being in a window seat is more liberating (at least psychologically), since you can gaze upon miles of open space instead of the confined cabin. In fact, I go to great lengths to make sure than my window seat is not above the wing. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I'd rather sit in the back of the plane than stare at the wing the entire flight.
My flights last about 6 hours on the average, and I usually don't get up to use the facilities more then once. I've never had a problem getting out of the window seat - I usually go to use the lavatory at the same time my seatmate does.

Aisle

Aisle - I take semi-frequent pit stops.

If I need to get to a connecting flight, aisle on the closest row I can get. OK, so it is only an extra few seconds, but sometimes every second counts.

Long haul (3+ hours), aisle. Not as confining, easier to work the laptop.

Short haul, window - nice to look around. I bring my digital camera with me, and when I land I e-mail the photos to my kids. I've gotten some really good shots. I like my nighttime view of SF. On a flight out of SJC, the pilot did an extra once around for our benefit (well, that was HIS story - it is probably that he needed for some airspace to clear)

If I MUST sleep, window. I rarely sleep, as I don't sleep so much as go comatose. I have slept through a couple of landings (kudos to the pilots, I suppose!). I am also a VERY slow starter after waking up. Walking around a terminal in a fog (personal, not meteorological) isn't much fun, especially when you have to high-tail it to the opposite end of the terminal for a connecting flight (IAH and ATL come to mind)


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

Definitely aisle because I'm very tall.

I like the aisle mainly for one reason. I don't like to get on a plane any sooner than I have to (in any class) and often fight for the right to be the last passenger to board. Pre-boarding privileges don't do a lot for me. The aisle seat allows me to get on and not disrupt the person on the aisle to get to the window. However, like Catman, I will usually switch with anyone who wants, because both have their merits once in the air.

I reread this and decided it might sound like I hang back because I am afraid to fly, but it's not that at all. I just don't like the confined space--not claustrophobic--I just don't like crowds. Now, if it were the PIP, though, I would probably have fought to be the first on the plane. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by TravelWeary (edited 11-20-1999).]

Always aisle. I too am surprised at the number of window preferences. I hate to bother people when I have to get out!

Like many others, aisle if confined to coach, window when in business. All of my flights are with Canadian and like Ken I go for one of the single seats on 767's for the best of both worlds.

Stewart.

Anything up to 2 1/2 to 3 hours, WINDOW. I love to look out and see below. Also, I like the ability to lean on the window. It feels like there is more room in a coach seat. Beyond this time, Aisle. My bladder gives out and I hate waking someone in the aisle to get out. It would be interesting to know the ages of the respondents. I'd bet the younger prefer windows and older prefer aisles.

Window bulkhead - 1A of 1F.

I just never get tired of looking out the window at that great big beautiful country down below.

Flights out of SFO often pass over Yosemite, Tahoe, the Grand Canyon, or the Cascade range. Fantastic.

I love trying to figure out what city that is that I am flying over.

Sitting on the bulkhead in first lets me get up without disturbing my neighbor on the aisle (unless they have their feet up, in which case they deserve it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif). Only downside is the lack of storage space.

Well, MOST of the older people prefer aisles.

I certainly don't consider you old Vulcan. I feel OLD (I was born OLD) but really we are "ageless" (It's how you feel.)

JonToner just reminded me of two other reasons for my 1B aisle seat:
*Closer to the exit (unless i"m in a 757 or 777)
*Closer to the rest room (as soon as the seat belt sign is off, I dash.)

Always aisle. I hate the feeling of being blocked in by someone else - kind of a claustrophobia thing I guess. In first or business it's not so bad, but I guess out of habit I still always take aisle.

Aisle in coach, doesn't matter up front.

Like DGOLD my preference is 1A or 1D or 1F WINDOW seat in First or Business Class. I get by the lack of storage space by being one of the first people on the plane. (I never check luggage) When I am forced to fly cattle class. Again a window seat (bulkhead is preferred) is always requested...

Mike

Up front - no preference

In coach - aisle during the daytime, but window on a redeye. That gives me a chance of leaning over with a little more room, when I want to sleep.

A window in First/Business for the view.
An aisle in coach for the extra room (and rapid egress if connecting.) I can't generally sleep in planes/cars/boats/etc., but if tired enough to doze, and not connecting, I'd prefer the window.

[This message has been edited by QuantumLeap (edited 11-21-1999).]

In coach, aisle if the plane's full or nearly full, window if it's empty. In FC or Biz, I don't much care.

Always AISLE. I've not sat in a window seat in six months. Why? I rush on the plane and rush off. I just shrug in and most people don't hit me too hard with their luggage, and being first to bolt up and outta the plane is reward enough.

I love flying, but I love GETTING there first also. My preference is noted with everyone as 'Non-Bulkhead Aisle Up Front' http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I like to be able to keep my laptop close...



[This message has been edited by dg1 (edited 11-21-1999).]

On long or crowded flights, always aisle, for the extra room and/or ability to move around. Window only on short to medium-length if I can get an empty middle seat next to me--but this is better than an aisle, for the view and non-disturbed factor.

Vulcan,

I'm 42 years old...but I've got an old body. Arthritis, bursitis, scar tissue galore, etc. etc. Need to have a aisle seat for comfort. That extra stretching.
My eyesight is horrible, can't enjoy the view if you can't see it!
Yeah, and I always order a low sodium meal, but I think UA is trying to turn me into a vegetarian...cause I never have meat in my meals!

Ling

For U.S. domestic flights, I prefer window. I fly to Japan from Minneapolis quite a bit, and for that I always pick aisle, economy or business, unless my economy seat is in the bulkhead and no seats are in front of me. It is frankly hell to be trapped in the window side on a 12 hour flight. But on a domestic flight, I always like the possibility of being able to look out.

I have to say aisle.

I just like the knowledge that I am in control of when I want to get up,and not have to worry that I am being rude to the person next to me by crossing over them when I need to get up.

Also, I commute at least once a week LAX to SJC,and I want to get up and out (or at least standing up w/out hitting my head on the overhead bins) as soon as possible.

Just knowing that I can get up and get into my bag in the overhead bin, or go to the restroom, or walk the aisle when I want means aisles for me.

WINDOWS 98 oops... computer talk...

just windows.

AISLE always. It occurs to me preferences may change as one ages. Not that I'm ancient but I get the impression I'm a wee bit more senior than many active in FT. I don't like to use the seat in front of me to assist standing and exiting. If I'm in a window seat, I often need to do so. I'm more comfortable on the aisle because I can get out of the row easily without discomoding others.

[This message has been edited by KatW (edited 11-29-1999).]

Window for bulkhead seats, aisle for most others. If I know it is a fairly empty flight I'll take the aisle and ask if the seat next to me will be kept open. That way I get the best of both worlds! Again, since my upgrade percentage has been running at 98% I am talking about first class. If there is a chance I may have to take coach, I always ask for (and get) the bulkhead. In that case it doesnt matter.

I prefer a window seat for the view, side support and for avoiding being bumped in the arm by luggage or meal carts. You are also less likely to get hit by something that has fallen from the stuffed overhead compartment when you are not directly below the bin opening. However, I avoid the window seat in emergency exit rows since the door seals often leak cold air.

FC/BC - no preference http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
Coach - aisle

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Dan
"It is not doing the things we like to do, but liking the things we have to do, that makes life blessed." - Goethe

Upgraded -- prefer bulkhead aisle, then bulkhead window. If worse comes to worse, I'll take any seat up front!

Coach -- Aisle or window (upfront), if towards the back, emergency exit, then aisle, then window

Avoid at all costs -- MIDDLE!