On long flights what are the pros and cons of being in an aisle seat vs a window seat?

Getting to the bathroom without having to bother anyone. Of course, the obvious con, your window seatmate will bother you to get out when he needs to use the bathroom.

There is one good thing about the window seat... you can lean your head on it to sleep.

For me, two things stand out that lead me to select a window seat:

1) Because I can then lean against the window/side of the plane.

2) I normally need to get up to go to the lav very infrequently. I am glad I did not have the aisle on my recent 6-hour SJO-PHX flight. The guy in the aisle seat got up to go to the lav at least 6 times!!!!

1) Depending on the plane, you might get a metal support beam cutting into your storage space under the seat in front of you if you're on the aisle.

2) It's nice to be able to lean against the 'wall' if you're in a window seat.

3) If you're in an aisle seat, and you have your shoulder slightly into the aisle, you can get smacked by the carts that roll by.

4) Sitting in the window seat, you don't need to get up everytime someone needs to use the lav.

Welcome to FT geodavky

Aisle also has benefit of being able to stretch leg out into it (if space is tight).

Although it seems like most FTers here prefer the aisle, I like the window seat.

For me, the ability to lean up against the bulkhead and sleep is key.

And I rarely need to get up to use the lab (as a child, my nickname was The Camel, because I could 'hold my water' for 7 days )

Another advantage of aisle is if you have a tight connection you can jump up earlier and be ready in line in the aisle to get off, whereas if you have a window and the people in the middle/aisle seat are slow to get mobilized (e.g., elderly, half awake, inconsiderate, etc.) they may take a long time to get going -- just enough of a delay to miss a connection!

Also, if you're really sick of sitting in the window seat on a long flight and want to get up as soon as the plane stops, you can't without hunching over because everyone is in the aisles blocking them so you can't get up right away.

I like aisle seats the best. I do like the exit row in Biz on UA 747's and my fav seat is 15A (window).

A generalisation I have noticed is that in the US there is a preference for aisle over window seats, whereas in Europe the opposite applies.

Look at how the open seating fills up on Southwest in the US compared to Ryanair in Europe to see the difference.

Anyone able to explain why ?

From a confirmed window-seater.

And then of course there's the more obvious benefit of a window seat (and the primary reason I pick them)--passing the time on a long, boring flight by gazing at the scenery on the ground. I especially enjoy watching for landmarks and trying to guess where we are.

Of course on the other hand, if you're flying a long trans-pac this may be much less of a benefit.

I prefer the window seat, as I like to lean against it to sleep, and there is some more shoulder room. I also like looking out the window, and yes, trying to guess where we are for landmarks.

My hubbie prefers/requires the aisle seat, as it allows him to stretch out his leg for most of the trip (he's 6'4"), and get up to stretch occasionally.

It works out perfectly!

I suppose most window-seaters (like me) have figured this out already, but I've never seen it mentioned here: There's a generally-presumed enhanced value to exit row seats because of the greater leg room. But if you like the window seat, the exit row is often a particularly uncomfortable place to sit, because the exit door often does not have an arm rest. I avoid exit rows whenever possible.

This is the main reason I always try to get a window seat. I suppose seeing out the window could make a bigger difference if you were claustrophobic, too.

The only drawback I've found is that window seats are usually colder, because the walls tend to be cold. Fixed easily with a sweater for me.

Aisle:
Pro: Easy access to bathrooms, galley; quick egress at arrival
Con: Have to get up when other people want to go to bathroom; get hit by FAs, carts and other pax, limited window view

Window:
Pro: Window; ability to lean up against wall; away from noise/traffic
Con: Have to get ask everyone else in row to get up when you want to get up; can be trapped in upon arrival; claustrophobic when you're sitting next to a large or disgusting pax

On shorter flights I prefer the window because it's quieter and I don't have to worry about being distrubed by having to get up and let the other person out.

On long flights I prefer the aisle because I want to be able to get up and walk around or use the bathroom (I drink a lot of water on long-hauls).

It all depends upon what you like. The window seat allow you a bit more comfort when it comes to sleeping; you can lean against the window. A window seat allows you have to access to more natural light so you can look out the window, read, or just daydream. You won't be asked to move in a window seat so you can remain totally undisturbed. You are trapped in a window seat so you must ask the middle seat and the aisle to move whenever you want to get up. If you are the kind of person who needs to go to the bathroom often or needs to walk around, you are not going to like being at the window.

The aisle seat allows you to stretch out at least one leg. You can come and go at will. You can exit the plan more quickly from the aisle than you can from the window. You may have problems sleeping in an aisle if anyone next to you constantly has to get out of his seat for whatever reason. You may get bumped into by the carts. People might bump into you as they walk by. You are at the mercy of the window seat person if you want daylight; if he puts the shade down, there is really very little you can do unless you wish to be confrontational.

That said, I always prefer the aisle. I have to be able to get up from my seat and I enjoy the little bit of extra leg stretch.