Window or Aisle?
 

So which do you prefer? Window or Aisle?

I've got a long haul MSP-NRT & a NRT-DTW coming up in November & all the good seats (exit rows & bulkheads) are taken - there's still a selection of windows & aisles left - I'm normally prefer windows, but I'm in debate here for this flight because it's in Y - the last several times I've flown the long hauls, I've been in C. I've done Y to Europe & it's no big deal, but never to Asia. I'm always the guy that has the luck of having to go to the bathroom about 14 minutes after the person in the aisle & middle seat fall into a deep slumber - so the aisle's probably better for that, but I love putting my head up against the window & passing out...decisions, decisions, decisions...

I fly SFO-NRT, SEA-NRT and ORD-NRT frequently. Whenever I'm stuck in coach, I always want and aisle. The reason is that I want to be able to get up and walk around and I feel bad if I have to wake up the person sleeping in the aisle seat. ORD-NRT at 13 hours is HE** if you can't get up and walk a lot!

BTW, keep checking back for seats to open up. Frequently my favorite seats on the 777 (17b/c g/h) are taken when I make my reservation, but they magically open up by flight time!!

I'm an aisle man, myself, for many of the same reasons as UScolorado1K.

Got to agree with the 'Tigger' and the colorado1K guys. But, having said that, I have become adept at stepping over the aisle guy and can fully appreciate the comforts of the window seat for a side headrest. For me, the tie-breaker comes down to knowing if I've got a seat mate or not.

Have a good trip.

I'm one of the odd ducks that gets windows.

Space isn't a problem for me, I'm only 5'7". The closeted geographer in me really likes looking out the window, seeing where I am (or at least trying to figure it out), checking out the earth below. I'll never forget the icebergs and fjords of Greenlands southern tip flying LHR-LAX. Simply awe inspiring for me.

I've got a seat mate - he's stuck with the middle seat though because he doesn't have status - so for him to get in the premium seating on NW, he's definitely got middle & I've got my choice. I'm thinking right hand side of the plane window (as I like to sleep with my right side of my head against the window). Also, I like having the window area because even though there's less leg room, you have the space betwen the seat & the window to shove things like an extra pillow or something.

A window for me, too, please. Board, sit down, take off. Eat/drink if still awake. Otherwise sleep till top of descent announcement, which is usually the thing that wakes me up. It makes 14-hour sectors go by really fast.

It depends, which class I fly and which time.

If I am in Business I prefer window on (to me) new routes and if it is a day flight, because I could get out easy (o.k. not in the old LH C) if I want to walk. If it is a night flight, I prefer aisle.

In Economy, I take nearly every time an aisle seat, as I have more space and could get out the row at every time. As I normaly do not sleep in the plane (at least nor for a long time), I could walk in the plane without disturbing the passengers in the seat next to me.

On an international, I always take the window, as for some reason I need to be against the wall to get to sleep. Otherwise, it's isle for me!

On international longhauls my preferred seat is a bulkhead aisle - and in business class if I can get it :) . This allows me to get up and walk around. Also, there is no seat in front to lean into mine. On USA transcons I am not that choosy, but I will usually take an aisle. On European shorthauls, it is always a window. I love viewing all the different airlines and airplanes at LHR, CDG, FRA, etc.

Window, for the view. This presents a problem when I fly with my over-6' husband who really needs an aisle seat. Fortunately, on the transatlantics we've been able to get on the side with 2 seats. Otherwise I get the middle so I can sit next to him.

It all boils down to this: Are you the type with a weak bladder, then aisle if not stick to the window. :p

Window on transcon, aisle on trans-atl/pac.

When I was not as big and new to flying I loved windows for the view. Now that I am way too big I'll take an aisle for the empty space to one side. On the long hauls it is also nice to be able to get up and strech my legs without having to fight my way past another person or two. On occasion I end up with a window and the view is still great, it brings back the little kid in me.

Aisle seats for me
 

I always go for an aisle seat, especially on a long-haul flight, because there's frankly not much to see out of the window for most of the flight and I'd rather have easy access out and have someone climbing over me occasionally than have to climb over someone to get out. The only exception is when I have an exit-row seat with plenty of leg room, and even then I'm nervous in case someone's got the configuration of the plane mixed up when I book!