Left side on long flights since, in my experience, that side usually gets served beverages, etc., first (I like to sleep).

I like to sit on the aisle unless I'm travelling with Mr. Tb; then I'll take the window so that he can have more room.

Usually the left window, but for no reason. Unless I know the route and if there is something special to see. In that case, it doesn't matter. As long as the window. And I prefer the front half of Y, if not F.

Posh.

Varies
 

Earlier writer said "Wish there was a web site that would tell you what side of the plane you need to be on to see certain sites depending on your departure and arrival city."

Still only gives you a 50% or so chance of being at the correct window. Unless noise restrictions or mountains dictate one way traffic patterns, the runway in use changes with the wind. Your view is completely different regardless of which side you are on.

I don't really feel the difference. Any side is fine by me as long as it's an aisle seat.

That earlier writer was me. Flyertalkers are so knowledgeable that someone could probably tell you "if there is a northwesterly breeze at EWR, you should sit on the left side of the plane if you want to see the Manhattan skyline after takeoff".

That's the kind of thing I was thinking of too! The variations can be just as interesting as the sites.

Lately, I've been sitting on the left side. There is no reason for it, and I don't request it, it just tends to happen that way...

Years of flying DL's MD88's have conditioned me to selecting the right side, even when there are equal numbers of seats on either side.

Give me the aisle every time. The heck with the view, I just want to be able to get up when I want to without asking permission.

I got the same kind of brainwashing! On some flights/ aircrafts I usually to go on the left side, on other ones I'll pick the right side, but always an aisle seat. Most of the time it's on the left side because I am under the (false?) impression that I would deplane faster.
Seatguru.com is obviously of a great inluence too and overall comfort would prevail to sticking to one side or the other!

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.