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 ], 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!

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. 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.