For no logical reason I prefer to have a window on my left....this is not always the left hand side of the aircraft though

On a 2 aisle plane like a UA 3 class 767
5C or similar aisle in the middle section, left aisle ( I'm left handed). On a single aisle plane aisle seat on the right side except on CRJ200/CL65 , 1B or 8B because no lap children allowed on left side of a CRJ because only the right side has 3 Oxygen masks.

Window on the shady side for flights less than about 3h, aisle seat in the middle for long flights, I don't really care about either side. Middle because chance of having empty seat next to you higher, especially on UA 2-5-2 777 config (so far 7 out of 7).

David

Head Wind
 

I pray the person giving such advice was not my pilot, who I hope was trained to NOT take off down wind. :eek:

If there is a northwesterly breeze at EWR, they should be using runways 4. You would need to be on the right side of the plane to see the Manhattan skyline on a takeoff. :)

Some locations have preferred patterns or sea breezes that results in operations the same way 90% of the time, so you can figure which side to sit on. Most places operate both ways.

To get a good seat it is necessary to reserve it as far as possible in advance. You don't know which way the wind is blowing until the day of your flight. By then, with planes running so full, it will be very difficult to pick which side to sit on, or have much choice at all if you want to change seats.

Get a window seat on either side in a good row (exit, bulkhead, toward the front, whatever is your favorate) and enjoy whatever view you get that trip.