Where is the best place to sit on a plane? Tips for air passengers. What is the best seat on the plane? What are the best seats on a plane?

If the flight is short, then perhaps this issue is not urgent for you. And for those who fly often and who are going on a long flight, it is important to know where the best seats on the plane are located. After all, you must admit, when planning a vacation to distant hot countries, we dream that it will be a great success, and the impression of it will not be blurred by the “difficulties of the flight.” You don’t want to sit somewhere in a cramped middle row, squeezed between overly plump passengers, or end up in the tail section, where there is not even a window, or be next to the toilet, where passengers are endlessly plying around.

If you know the make of the aircraft on which you are planning a flight, then the diagram of the aircraft can be viewed on the official website of the carrier. In most cases, such information is not available and it is better to use some general rules when purchasing tickets, which we will describe here.

Porthole seats have many advantages:

• good lighting, especially if you are going to read;
• you can admire the views of cities during takeoff and landing or the bizarre views of clouds;
• you won't be bothered by squeezing your way to the exit.

These places have only one drawback: it will be difficult for you to go out into the passage, if you need to go to the toilet, you will have to disturb your neighbors. If you do not like to do this, but have a need to go out often, then it is better to take a ticket closer to the aisle.

By the passage

The places have advantages for long-legged and restless people. Here you can stretch your legs into the passage, stand up, stand for a while, and go to the toilet without hindrance. After landing, again, you will get off the plane faster. On the other hand, these are the most restless places. Flight attendants drive around with trolleys endlessly, sometimes even hitting us. Every time you have to get up when someone goes to the toilet.

Golden mean

Some, having weighed the pros and cons of the outer seats when deciding where it is better to sit on the plane, will take the seats in the middle; they are not too restless and they will not have to disturb their neighbors too much. If you need to get up, then at least you don’t have to go through everyone and fewer people pass through you, which means they will bother you less often.

Places behind emergency exits

These seats are located further away from the previous row, so it’s quite comfortable to sit here; you can stretch your legs and go to the toilet without disturbing anyone. Air carriers often leave such places for physically trained people, who in the event of an accident and evacuation (God forbid!) will be able to open an emergency exit. Also, according to the rules, it is strictly forbidden to block the passage to these places with suitcases.

Places behind emergency hatches

These are very inconvenient places in the sense that the chairs cannot be thrown back, they are fixed so as not to block the passages to the emergency exits. If the row is located between two emergency hatches, then the passenger has the advantage of having some additional space in front of him.

At the front of the plane

They are convenient because passenger service begins precisely from these places, and you have a larger selection of food and drinks. In addition, passengers in the front rows have the advantage of being able to walk down the plane faster. The negative aspect of these places is that passengers with children often take tickets here, since there are mounts for baby strollers in the bow. Well, everyone knows what it’s like to fly next to a child who is naughty.

Seats at the back of the plane

The seats here are usually economy class and there are considered to be few amenities. However, the biggest benefit that may outweigh all others when deciding which airline seats to choose is safety. According to statistics, during crashes and accidents, it is the passengers in the tail section who most often survive, since the main impact always falls on the nose of the plane.

Often on unloaded flights these seats remain free, and you can easily take several at once and even sleep. The disadvantages of these places include the fact that passengers in the tail section are served last.

What's good about the first row?

There are no seats in front of the first row on the plane, this is a big advantage:

• you will be able to stretch your legs;
• No one will recline the chair for you.

However, please note that the first row, in front of which there are no seats, may be after the rows of a different class of service or the one in front of which the kitchen is located. In this case, you will have to look at the wall the whole way, and bassinets for babies are often mounted on the wall. You can buy tickets for these places if necessary.

The last row

The seats in the last row are very uncomfortable because the seats do not recline, and if they recline, it is only a little, and you will not be able to rest properly, especially if it is a long flight.

This is a brief description of all types of seats on the plane, but you also need to take into account the following factors:

• number of service classes in the cabin;
• distance between rows;
• number of seats in a row.

All these characteristics are different for different airliner models.

Scheme for purchasing good seats on a plane

1. Find out the model of the airliner you will be flying on. It would be a good idea to consult with airline employees and find out in general about the level of comfort of the cabin: the presence of sockets, the distance between the rows, whether there is a TV, where the toilet is located.
2. Buy your ticket online or at self-check-in kiosks at the airport, if available. This way you can choose a free, comfortable seat. On airline websites you can find diagrams of aircraft cabins.
3. If you buy tickets at the regular box office, just ask where you want them, “window” or “aisle.”
4. Think about what is most important to you during the flight, what will you do - look out the window or sleep. It may be important for you to freely get out of your place at any time.
5. Please note that the numbers and letters that indicate places can be written in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabet, and the place may have a different location depending on this.
6. Try to buy tickets on more open flights. Typically, planes are busy on Fridays and weekends, with morning and evening flights. If you want to choose comfortable seats, try to plan your trip in advance and take tickets from Monday to Thursday, for flights that depart at lunchtime or 2-3 hours later.
7. To choose good seats, you must also take into account the direction of flight. For example, if you are flying from North to South in the morning, the sun will be on the left side. If you were flying in the opposite direction, to the North, the sun would be on the right.

What to do if you only managed to buy an inconvenient place

Try to arrive at the airport on time for check-in and boarding. Then you will have a few minutes after landing to find a more comfortable seat, in case one is available. Do not ask the flight attendant for permission; change seats yourself. When the landing is completed and the plane begins to gain altitude, it will be impossible to change planes. When the liner already gains altitude and it is allowed to get up from your seat, it may turn out that these seats are already occupied by more efficient passengers. In any case, you shouldn’t be upset, since you will always have time to take your purchased seat.

Pros:
They are characterized by the fact that the distance to the next row is slightly increased, which allows you to pass the flight time with greater comfort - stretch your legs, stand up if necessary, without disturbing your neighbors. Some types of aircraft do not have a row of seats in front of the emergency exit/hatch seats at all.

Minuses:
Often, airlines, for safety reasons, practice leaving these seats for people who meet the requirements of “a sound body - a sound mind” - it is assumed that in the event of an emergency evacuation such a person will not be confused, will be able to open the emergency hatch and help the staff get people out, but, Of course, not all airlines undertake such “planning”.

In this regard, passengers with children, animals and elderly people are not allowed here.

Another disadvantage is that the approach to the hatches cannot be blocked by hand luggage.

The row that is located in the section between two emergency exits also has a plus. In this case, there will be additional space in front of you.

Seats located in the front of the cabin

Pros:
Most often, food service begins from the “nose”, so the front rows offer convenience and a wide choice of drinks and food offered. As a rule, if the seat is located at the rear of the plane, then the passenger is limited in the choice of assortment (everything is sorted at the very beginning).

In addition, the first row is an excellent opportunity to be one of the first to go down the ramp.

Minuses:
But there are also disadvantages here - often mounts for baby cradles are installed in the bow, and there may be passengers with small children. This does not contribute to comfort if you are going to work or relax.

Anyone who has flown near a child who does not tolerate the flight well and cries for 7 or 12 hours knows.

Places in the tail

The only significant advantage of this place is its relative safety. According to statistics from the US National Transportation Safety Board over more than 30 years, the number of surviving passengers in plane crashes, depending on where their seats were located in the aircraft cabin, is as follows:

The highest percentage of passengers who survived was in the rear section of the cabin (behind the edge of the aircraft's wing) with 69%, the section above the wing with 56% survivors, as well as in the economy class section in front of the wing. In the forward section of the cabin, where business and first class are typically seated, the average survival rate was 49%.

Since when falling from a great height, the plane falls nose first, the clearances cover the tail section least of all. This was the reason for placing the “black box” in the tail of the plane, and this also led to the opinion that this is the safest place.
In my opinion, this is more of a psychology of self-hypnosis (IMHO - there is no chance of surviving in a fallen plane from a height, no matter where the passenger is sitting), but this also has its advantages: as a rule, on not very popular flights, there are much fewer passengers, that will bother you. The same applies to passengers with children - as a rule, you won’t see them here unless it’s a charter somewhere to places of mass Russian tourism in the high season.

But the largest number of accidents often occurs during takeoff/landing, as a result of mistakes by pilots or airport staff, due to poor coverage and condition of the runway or other factors. In this case, you can be saved. Think about where the plane will hit first when landing or taking off? It seems to me that most likely the nose, accordingly, the main impact will be on the front seats, which will slightly dampen the force of the impact, then the impact will be on the middle of the cabin and on the wings, from which fuel will leak out and ignite. The shock wave will reach the rear seats with the least power, which will allow passengers to survive.
Thus, the rear seats are the safest in the cabin, since the plane takes the main impact on the nose, but again, this all depends on the situation.
Central seats on an airplane are typically located above or close to the wing, which contains aviation fuel, which can ignite in the event of a plane crash. Therefore, the most dangerous places are the seats in the middle of the aircraft cabin. If we compare the front and middle seats in terms of safety, then the number of deaths in both the front and middle seats is approximately equal.

From the point of view of the safe side - left or right, statistics give equal chances; the probability of the plane lateral roll in one direction or another during landing is the same.

This is what they mostly write on the Internet. Honestly, it’s difficult for me to judge, but in my opinion, if you are primarily concerned about your safety, then it is better to choose a place close to the emergency exit. This, in most cases, is still safer, although less convenient.
Imagine a situation where there was a plane crash, the plane was partially damaged, everyone was alive, but a fire started in the plane and the cabin was filled with black toxic smoke, from inhaling which you could die. What will happen? That's right, most likely panic, but now think about who will leave the plane first? And the first to leave will be the one who sits in the seats closest to the emergency exits, which means they will have more chances to escape.

For the same reason, people whose seats are located closer to the aisle are in a more advantageous situation during emergency situations
You can find out what seat will be near the emergency exit on a particular plane from the seat layout diagrams.

This is about safety, but when it comes to comfort...

It is believed that The most comfortable seat on the plane is the second to last row, on the right side of the aisle. The fact is that it is at the end of the cabin that there is the greatest likelihood of free/empty seats, and therefore it is quite possible that you will get a lot of free space by sitting on three seats at once: you can get free seats to the right and left of you, on which you can arrange not only your bags, but generally lie down and sleep

Why do you need to take seats on the right? Because air tickets are sold strictly by row (except in cases where the passenger himself requests a specific seat), rows A, B, C come first, which are located on the left side, so the likelihood of a large number of people there is higher.

After them come the right rows, D, E, F, which are usually empty when the plane is not fully loaded (this is important!!!). Well, it is clear that if the download is complete, then all the above recommendations will be meaningless.

An important advantage is safety, because it is no secret to anyone that there is simply no more secure place than the tail of the aircraft. There may also be a kitchen located close to these places (not always), and all your orders will be delivered as quickly as possible.

Why is it necessary to choose an aisle seat? In order for fewer people to show a desire to sit next to you. If you sit near the window, then nothing will prevent other passengers from sitting near you, and then all the comfort will come to naught.

But when you sit down by the aisle and place your bags on the next seat, such a sight will subconsciously be perceived by other passengers as a barrier, so the number of people wanting to sit next door will be minimal.

An even better option would be to get a pillow and a blanket immediately after landing, and lie down to sleep on two or three chairs at once, in which case it is unlikely that anyone will disturb you so that you move away and let him sit in the same row.

First row/row in front of which there are no seats

If your row is the first (this can be not only the “first row” physically, but also the first row, after another class of service, or the first row in one of the sections of the cabin, in front of which there are no seats), then a significant advantage of this arrangement is that No one will throw back their seat on you. With short row spacing in economy class, this can be very important.

Of the minuses, we note that most likely there will be a partition or a kitchen/toilet in front of you. Some passengers find it not very convenient to look at the “wall” for the entire flight. Also, there may be mounts for baby cradles in the wall. What this entails - read above.

Last row/row behind which there are no seats

Most likely, the backs of the seats in this row do not recline or are very limited in this. This happens when there is an emergency exit, toilet, kitchen, other technical room or wall behind you.

Summarize

Here, in brief, is a list of good/bad places that a traveler can expect. But it is worth noting that the internal layout of aircraft differs significantly from each other, and this factor must also be taken into account.

In addition to the fact that there are 2, 3, 4 seats in a row, it is necessary to take into account the distance between the seats, the number of classes in the cabin, and other features. After all, the same company uses different types of aircraft for flights.

1. The model of the airliner, the smallest details of the comfort of the cabins (the presence of a TV, electrical sockets, spacing between rows, location of toilets) can be easily found on the airline’s website.

2. If you specifically know which seat you would like to get, you should ask this question when checking in for your flight at the airport (seats that remain unoccupied after online check-in are allocated there).

If you have no idea about the location of the seats, ask to see a diagram of the aircraft’s interior - all free seats will be highlighted in the appropriate color.

Also, when checking in at the airport, you can simply ask for a window seat, an aisle seat, etc. Usually the staff does not refuse.

3. At modern airports you can use the services of self-check-in kiosks and choose your seat. Also, this can almost always be done when registering online on the website of the airline of your choice - this will significantly save time.

The largest Russian airlines already provide this service.

The traditional check-in method is best done two hours before departure. If seats are booked this way, the first registrants have a wide choice of available seats.

4. If possible, you should use less crowded flights - in this case, the comfort of the flight will increase significantly, because (if you wish) you will even have the opportunity to sleep in three free seats; the main thing is not to forget to ask the flight attendant to bring a pillow and a blanket.

The busiest days are Sunday and Friday, with morning and evening flights. If you have time, choose Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, midday or afternoon flights.

5. In order not to get into trouble, you should take into account the spelling of the letters indicating the seat number - they can be either Russian (1A, 1B, 1B, 1G,1D, 1E) or Latin (1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E , 1F), and in certain situations, these are, as they say, two big differences that can overshadow the impression of the flight.

After all, for example, seat 1 “B” will have a different location, meaning both a chair near the aisle and in the middle of the row. This must be taken into account so as not to end up with seat 1B (which you thought was near the aisle) in a seat in the middle (since it turned out that this is not the Russian “B”, but the Latin “B”).
Also pay close attention to the letter “E”.

Therefore, it is better to choose seats with unambiguous letters: 1A is always a seat by the window, 1C will be an aisle seat in any cabin layout.

Advice. If you fly often, then you know the main stress of everyone (who does not fly in business class;) is sitting in the middle seat in a row of three seats. Knowing and understanding this phobia, you can turn it to your advantage and less often have a neighbor nearby when flying.

At check-in, if you are flying together, ask the staff to seat you in seats near the window and on the aisle. Nobody likes to sit in the middle, and unless the plane is packed to capacity, you won't have an unwanted neighbor. If you are flying solo, you can negotiate this maneuver with another person you like who, like you, is traveling solo. Or simply ask to be seated in the aisle where the window seat is available.

The only problem here is that if the plane is full, you will be separated by a stranger. All that remains is to negotiate with him so that he can move.

6. Be sure to take into account the direction of flight - with the right choice of place, the sun will not blind your eyes: East - West (the sun always shines on the left), West - East (on the right).

If there is a need to take a morning flight, the direction North - South will be pleased with the sun on the left side, and South - North - on the right.

How to avoid accidentally taking the worst seats

• Study the diagram of the airliner you will be flying on, if possible.
• Check with your airline representative if possible.
• Before the flight, decide what is more important for you - looking out the window or the ability to freely get up from your seat, for example, to the toilet
• When studying the interior layout, choose the optimal seats, guided by the same rules that we gave in this article
• Do not take seats at the very rear, close to the toilets, galley and other technical areas.
• Do not take seats in which the seats do not recline or are limited in this
• Do not take seats between emergency exits or behind which they are located.

If you still find yourself in an uncomfortable chair

If you nevertheless received a ticket for a not very convenient seat, then immediately after boarding you have a few minutes to take a more convenient free space (if there are unoccupied seats, of course).

Moreover, it is better not to be shy and change seats yourself, rather than wait for the services of a flight attendant.

After the last person appears on board and the flight attendant announces “Boarding is over”, you have 5 minutes to find a comfortable free seat.

There is little time, because after the plane reaches the required speed, getting up from the passenger seat will be strictly prohibited. Well, after gaining altitude, it is likely that everything is most comfortable seats on the plane will be occupied by faster and smarter passengers. Yes, and don't worry about it. You will always have time to sit in your rightful (according to your ticket) seat.

But it’s still better to choose the most comfortable seat immediately when purchasing a ticket and checking in for the flight.

All the tips described above are suitable for standard passenger, narrow-body aircraft, such as Airbus A-319 and 320, Boeing-737, SSJ-100, Yak-40, etc., and for wide-body airliners. In addition, there are many more options to occupy a comfortable passenger seat.

I hope that these simple tips will help you fly comfortably without unnecessary stress.

If you like to travel a lot and often, then you probably spend a lot of time on the road, namely on board an airplane. If the flight does not last long, then you do not pay attention to minor inconveniences, but if you need to fly for 8-10 hours, then comfort is of great importance, and all other things being equal, I will always choose more convenient flight conditions.

The comfort of your flight depends on many factors - on-board entertainment, but most importantly - on the convenience of the place where you will spend almost the entire trip. Today I want to talk about the differences between different seats on board an airplane, how to find out in advance which cabin your flight will have, and how to choose the seat you like.

To choose the best seat on board an airplane, you first need to know which plane you will be flying on. Moreover, even the same aircraft from different airlines may have different seat configurations, so it is important to find out not just the type of aircraft, but the specific aircraft.

You can do this even before purchasing a ticket on the airline’s website (in the flight schedule) or in the ticket search engine.

For example, when searching for a ticket to, you can immediately see the name of the airline and flight number in the route description. Let's look at the example of a London-New York flight:

The first segment of the flight will be carried out by Norwegian Air, flight number DY-2802. Using this information, you can learn more about a specific aircraft at www.seatguru.com and www.seatexpert.com.

2. Where to find the interior diagram

You can also view the interior diagram on specialized websites.

Let's try to find a diagram of the aircraft cabin for the same flight London-New York for the first flight segment at www.seatguru.com.

First, on the main page we enter the necessary information - the name of the airline and the flight number (we already found them on the ticket search engine or on the airline’s website):

A window opens where you can see what the plane will be like. To see the interior diagram, click “View map”:

A page opens with detailed information about the aircraft, as well as a seat layout:

3. Features of different seats on board the aircraft

In addition to studying the diagrams in detail, you need to remember some of the features of different places on board and select the best place based on your needs. Let's look at the different types of seats on the plane.

3.1. Emergency exit seats

If your height is above average, then these places are created especially for you! The row opposite the emergency exit has much more legroom than regular seats. But there are also restrictions - hand luggage will have to be put in the luggage rack, because... Safety rules do not allow things to be placed in the passage to the emergency exit. So you can’t put anything under your seat or the seat in front of you. Also, passengers with children are not seated at emergency exits, because it is assumed that there should be a person sitting at the emergency exit who will be able to help flight attendants open the emergency exit and evacuate passengers.

Also keep in mind that if your seat is located in the row that is located in front of the emergency row, then you will not be able to recline the back of your seat so as not to block the emergency exit.

3.2. Seats at the beginning of the plane

• Most often, the very first row is reserved for frequent flyers and for passengers with children. So keep in mind that you may not be able to sleep due to a crying baby. Although you are not immune from this in other places, the probability here is higher.
• Service starts right from the front rows, so you will have the maximum choice of dishes.
• You will have to walk to the toilet, because... Business class toilets are not normally usable.
• After landing, you will be able to leave the plane in the first rows, right after the first and business class passengers.

3.3. Middle seats

These places do not have pronounced disadvantages or advantages. When choosing a seat in the middle of the plane, pay attention to whether the plane's wing will block your view if you plan to sit near the window.

3.4. Seats at the back of the plane

According to statistics, the seats located in the rear of the aircraft are considered the safest, because... Most of the passengers who survived the plane crash were in the tail section.

But there are no absolutely safe places, so let's look at other features of these places:

• there are toilets in the rear, which on the one hand is convenient - you don’t have to go far, but on the other hand, people will always be walking next to you, so it can be very noisy.
• The last rows do not always have windows, so if you want to enjoy the views, look at the diagram of the plane you will be flying in advance.
• Also, in the last row the backrest may not recline, because There is no additional space provided.
• If you like to photograph the view from the window, then keep in mind that there may be poor visibility in the tail section due to the exhaust plume.
• If the plane is not packed to capacity, then most of the free seats are usually in the rear section, so you can occupy several seats at once, lounging comfortably.
• If you are flying with a transfer, it is better not to sit at the very back of the plane, because... You will only be able to leave as the last one, thereby losing a lot of time.
• food distribution usually starts from the beginning or middle of the plane, so if you haven’t ordered a special meal, some dishes may no longer be enough for you (for example, you only eat fish, and only a few servings of meat will remain).

3.5. The most uncomfortable places

In addition to relatively comfortable places that have both advantages and disadvantages, there are also places that are strictly not recommended to sit on, for example:

• seats in the row located in front of the emergency exit. You will not be able to recline the backrest.
• seats in the middle row (if the plane has three rows of seats, with a 3-3-3, 3-4-3, 2-5-2 layout). Especially if you are sitting in the middle of this row, it is difficult to get out to the toilet, you may have to let passengers through, it is also difficult to get something from the luggage compartment, it takes the longest to get out after the plane stops.
• places near the toilet - there may be an unpleasant smell, and people scurrying back and forth will not allow you to rest.

4. How to book a specific seat on board

When you have decided on the place you want to take, you need to book it. This can be done either in advance or immediately before departure. At the same time, you need to understand that the sooner you book a place, the greater the chances of getting exactly what you want.

So, there are several options for booking a place.

4.1. Reservation when purchasing a ticket

If you, then most likely it will be possible to immediately reserve a seat on board upon purchase. Find out about this option immediately.

Peculiarities. If you are flying low-cost, then most likely an additional fee will be charged for booking a specific seat. So I don’t see the point of booking something in advance, only if you really need a certain seat for some reason (for example, you are traveling with a child and want to be sure in advance that you will sit next to you or take a seat in the first row) . If you do not reserve a place in advance, then it is likely that you will be able to use another selection option, more on that below.

4.2. Booking in your personal account

If you bought your ticket from an intermediary (for example, through Skyscanner), then you can manage your booking on the airline's website. Just go to the airline’s website, register (or immediately go to your personal account if you are already registered) and in your personal account go to the “my bookings” or “manage booking” section. There you can already select seats (if there is such an option) or, for example, insert a card number to track miles.

4.3. Selecting a seat during online check-in

Online check-in usually starts 24 hours before the plane departs, but sometimes it opens earlier; you need to find out on the airline’s website. It is best to register immediately, in the first minutes after registration begins, so there will be a greater chance that you will have time to book the right place. To avoid missing time, set yourself a reminder. Again, this option does not apply to low-cost companies, because... there the choice of seat is only for an additional fee.

4.4. Selecting a seat during check-in at the airport

Here, too, it makes sense to arrive at the airport early in order to be among the first to check in. The best seats are already taken, but at least you can choose a window or aisle seat, in the middle of the plane or at the back. If you resort to the check-in counter at the last minute, then most likely you will no longer be able to choose a seat. This applies to flights to popular destinations during high season. If you are flying in the low season and the plane is half empty, then towards the end of check-in you can, for example, ask for a seat in a free row where there will be no one next to you.

4.5. Selecting a seat after boarding is complete

As soon as the boarding has been announced, you can safely choose a more convenient place. This applies, first of all, to low-cost airlines, because... This is the only free seat selection option.

Another feature of low-cost airlines is that they sell slightly more tickets than seats on the plane, because... According to statistics, about 10% of passengers do not show up for their flight. Therefore, passengers who arrived last can often be seated in the best seats, sometimes even seated in business class (if, of course, it is provided for in this low-cost airline).

When planning your trip, you'll want to choose the best seats on the plane. If you know the air carrier and the model of the airliner, then check the seat arrangement using the diagram. On our website you will find information about the main aircraft in the fleets of Russian and foreign companies. And if you have not decided which ship you will travel on, read the general rules.

Flight class: what you need to know

The main factor in choosing a good seat on the plane remains the class of flight. It determines the comfort of the seats, their width and distance between the rows, features of services and food.

Service classification is determined individually by the carrier, but most companies provide basic options:

• “economy” allows you to travel for a minimal price, but the comfort will not be great;
• “business” is suitable for those who prefer convenience;
• “premium” is not offered by every carrier due to the price of luxury conditions.

Economy class seats are available on any plane. For a reasonable price, travelers are offered movies on a small screen located in front of them, meals and a limited selection of drinks, sometimes a blanket, magazines, and a pillow (on transcontinental flights).

The cost of tickets to the business lounge is higher, but you will feel the difference at the airport. Check-in takes place at a separate counter, after which passengers wait for departure in the lounge. They are provided with drinks and an expanded menu, and at some airports - showers and beds. On board you will note the width of the seats, spacious legroom, and improved food. Business class passengers are the first to leave the plane after landing.

The seats in this cabin differ not only in size: for example, Airbus supplies aircraft with seats whose backrests can occupy 6 different positions.

For those who frequently fly, the accrual of bonus miles plays a role when choosing between an economy option and a business cabin. The difference is 50%, so immediate expenses allow you to reduce expenses in the future.

Some companies are introducing additional options: if you have to spend several hours in the air and you can’t afford a ticket to the business lounge, choose an improved “economy” option. You'll get more legroom and extras. And the American budget company Southwest Airlines has introduced a Business Select tariff: travelers have the right to be the first to enter the cabin and choose their favorite seats. If you need to fly on a foreign company's plane, check the possibilities in advance.

The longer the flight, the more difficult it is to put up with the inconveniences: not everyone can spend more than 4 hours in the air when there is not enough legroom.

What to expect from a budget trip

Is price still the main factor? Choose economy class on the plane, but the range of services will be minimal. If you wish, you can improve the conditions: for an additional fee you can have access to the business lounge if there are still seats in the room. Some banking organizations cooperate with air carriers and provide cardholders with the opportunity to wait for departure in this area.

For tall people, flying in economy is not the best option.

Once on board, you'll notice the lack of legroom. Economy class passengers are advised to choose seats near emergency exits as the distance between rows will increase. But this option has disadvantages: hand luggage cannot be placed under your feet, otherwise the passage will be blocked. The seat backs may be fixed or not recline completely.

Otherwise, passengers who choose the economy option compare its convenience to traveling by bus. The seats are designed for people of average build, so most do not complain about discomfort. You will receive meals, and children are often given gifts from the company. If you correctly calculate your baggage allowance, you can get by with a basic service and save money.

Ship layout: what to consider

To get an idea of ​​the best seats on a plane, take a look at. Seating arrangements vary by carrier, so check with the airline for information on the specific aircraft rather than the model.

Best accommodation according to airline customers

You can check the details on the website when purchasing tickets. Specialized sites are also at your service: on Seatguru.com you will see information about foreign and Russian carriers. Enter your arrival and destination point or enter the airline name and flight number.

If you have specified specific data, on the page that opens, select View map. You will see a diagram of an airplane that is flying. It indicates which places should be booked first and which ones should be avoided:

• The best seats are marked in green;
• yellow - options for which nuances should be clarified;
• yellow-green - places with mixed reviews.

In any case, keep in mind that the cabin is divided into 3 parts: bow, tail and middle compartments. Closer to the cockpit is the “business” class, then the “economy” class.

If you are afraid of flying and are concerned about safety, pay attention not to the level of service, but to the chances of surviving. Although the shaking is most felt in the tail, studies show that in accidents, passengers sitting further from the nose of the aircraft suffer the least.

How to choose the best place

When choosing a seat on the plane, did you find information about the model you need? Use general advice: they will not be superfluous.

Near the porthole: pros and cons

Those who want to take spectacular photos for social networks prefer to book seats near the porthole. This option is also suitable for travelers who are afraid of confined spaces, but only when flying during the day. The darkness of the night behind the glass can intensify the approaching panic.

Sitting in a chair by the window, you will appreciate the benefits:

• you will not be disturbed by neighbors or flight attendants passing by;
• lighting near the windows during the day is better than in the aisle seats;
• Deciding to rest, you lean against the wall.

But it is not without its drawbacks, because in order to go to the toilet, you will have to disturb the neighbors. Also study the cabin layout: on some airlines, carriers have 2 seats on one side of the aisle. There will be more space, but the chair is located at a distance from the wall, and you won’t be able to lean against it while sleeping.

It happens that a flight turns into disappointment for another reason. When you buy a ticket, you expect the best seat to be near the window. But often in budget salons, rows are located more often than windows, and it is not a picturesque view that is nearby, but a wall.

The Aisles: What to Expect

When looking for the best seats on a plane, pay attention to the aisle rows:

• you won’t disturb your neighbors by getting up to go to the toilet or wanting to stretch your legs;
• You will get to the exit a little earlier.

The disadvantages include the need to let neighbors through and put up with the fact that crew members are constantly walking past. You won’t be able to enjoy the view from the porthole either.

Tip: If the airplane seats are arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration, choose an aisle seat in the middle row. After all, the passenger sitting next to you can exit from different directions, and you will have to let him out less often.

There is also a possibility that the seat in the middle will remain empty. Keep in mind that passengers begin boarding the plane from the nose compartment, so the closer to the tail, the greater the chance of getting by without a neighbor. In 15% of cases, this strategy works! But the turbulence in the tail is also felt more strongly, so weigh the pros and cons.

Best option: Sit on the aisle so you won't complain about lack of legroom

Middle: neutral options

The prospect of sitting between a couple of other passengers isn't everyone's cup of tea. But the advantages are obvious: you will admire the views from the porthole and will not disturb a large number of people when you get up to stretch your legs. You will have to let only 1 neighbor on the flight pass, and he is unlikely to go to the toilet often.

Before emergency exits: for those who like inconvenience

When planning to reserve the best tickets for a flight, do not choose seats in front of the emergency exits. It is not possible to recline the backrest: it is fixed so as not to block the passage. The only plus is that the neighbor behind you won't kick your seat. But the discomfort during long flights, when you cannot recline the seat and relax, will be remembered for a long time.

Behind emergency exits: stretch your legs without problems

The advantages of seats in the row behind the emergency exit will be appreciated by corpulent or tall passengers. After all, there is enough legroom, which is important for flights lasting more than 4 hours. But in some airliner models, the seat backs are fixed or do not recline completely (if there is an additional emergency exit at the rear). There are also problems with hand luggage, since it is not allowed to be placed in the aisle.

There is plenty of legroom near emergency exits

Travelers belonging to the following categories will not be able to purchase tickets in the row behind the emergency exit:

• children under 12 (sometimes 15) years old;
• traveling with a baby or animal;
• passengers with physical or mental disabilities that will not allow them to independently open the emergency hatch or quickly let crew members through so that they can cope with the task;
• people who need additional staff assistance;
• passengers who do not speak the language spoken by the crew (necessary to understand instructions in a critical situation).

Please note that in emergency situations you will need to perform a number of actions:

• keep an eye on other travelers until the flight attendant can fully open the emergency exit;
• if necessary, help and make sure that the situation overboard does not pose a danger (after landing);
• assist others during an emergency landing, reminding them of the need for quick action.

Airline personnel are trained to do so without the assistance of passengers. But it may be needed to speed up the process. If you're not sure you can handle it, choose a seat in a different row.

In the front of the cabin: advantages and disadvantages

Are you positioned closer to the bow? Priority service awaits you. After all, in economy class the flight attendant starts distributing food from the front rows, and there will be no problems with choosing hot food. But there are also disadvantages, since passengers with children often fly in the front rows.

In the middle part of the cabin

If you choose an over-wing seat, you will suffer less from jolts and shakes. But you won’t be able to enjoy the view from the porthole: the landscapes open only when the liner tilts during a maneuver. Those who want to take spectacular photos will prefer rows located further than the wing or in front of it. Also keep in mind that the noise from engines in this part can be increased.

You can’t see the landscapes from the chair above the wing

Those who are afraid of flying wonder about the safety of passengers traveling in this part. The answer is ambiguous: according to statistics, the chances of survival are higher than in the bow compartment. Emergency exits are also located nearby, which will allow you to quickly leave the aircraft. But many models have fuel tanks located in the wing, which increases the risk of fire.

Look for cheap tickets for any type of transport without leaving your home:

The location of seats in the central part depends on the model of the aircraft. Large airlines use aircraft with additional lavatories and galley facilities.

Tail places: best or worst?

Tickets in the back will be purchased by those who want the safest seats on the plane. According to statistics, the chances of not getting hurt in an accident increase: 67% of travelers who survived disasters were located at the maximum distance from the bow of the liner. If the airplane model provides for landing at both ends, then at your destination you won’t have to wait for others to get off: you will quickly leave the cabin.

The best places in terms of safety are located in the rear

The places in the back will appeal to those who want to do without neighbors. Since loading starts from the bow, chances are you'll end up with 3 seats all to yourself towards the tail.

The first row, in front of which there are no seats

In the bow there is a business class section, if its availability is provided on the airline. It may be absent, and this part is reserved for “economy”.

Passengers sitting immediately behind the partition that separates the cabin from the cockpit will have more legroom. But there remains a possibility that the width of the seats will decrease: since there is no row in front of you, the folding tables are attached to the seat arm. The disadvantages include the fact that during the flight there will be a wall in front.

This row is for people traveling with children: there are mounts for bassinets nearby. The need to spend 5-6 hours next to a capricious baby will seriously overshadow the flight.

It is important that most carriers do not allow carry-on luggage to be placed under your feet if you are sitting directly at the back of the cabin. You have to place it on the upper shelves: when you decide to take the necessary change, you will be forced to stand up. If you plan to watch a movie, be prepared that the distance to the screen will be greater than in the middle part of the cabin. After all, the monitor is mounted on the wall, and not on the back of the seat in the previous row. But in general, these seats on the plane are considered good: there is enough legroom, and you will be the first to disembark.

Which place to choose with a child

How to choose a seat on a plane to comfortably accommodate your child? It depends on the specifics of the situation. After all, babies weighing up to 11 kg will have bassinets on board, but their reservation should be agreed upon in advance. You will most likely be given a seat in the 1st row.

The cradle is the best option for a child

A cradle is a fabric cradle with a frame where you place your baby. After all, children under 2 years old travel for free, but they are not provided with a seat. Thanks to the use of a cradle, you will not have to hold your baby in your arms for several hours. True, if he knows how to sit, you will not be able to rest: without supervision, the baby may fall out.

Please check the availability of the cradle in advance, as it depends on the type of aircraft. On some planes, the compartments between different classes are separated not by a partition, but by a curtain. In this case, there is nowhere to attach the frame.

Check the conditions in advance: Aeroflot and Qatar airlines provide a cradle for children under 2 years old. But other carriers may limit the child's age to 6 months or 1 year.

No bassinet or baby is too big? There are several options at your disposal. When traveling with a baby too large for the carrycot, choose seats in the center or forward section. The location in the rear is convenient when the load is light: there is a chance that there will be empty seats in the last rows. Ask the conductor and he will put the back row at your disposal: by lowering the armrests, you will have a place to play and sleep.

When traveling with a child, choose aisle seats. Depending on the interior layout, they are designated by the letter C, D, G or H in a 2-4-2 seating arrangement. C and D markings are generally retained for aisle seats and other seating arrangements. By choosing this arrangement, you will not disturb passengers when getting up with the child to go to the toilet.

If the first row is free and the bassinets are empty, they will come in handy even if the children are not age-appropriate. After all, in the cradles you will put things that fidgets may need, and save yourself from the need to constantly take out hand luggage.

How to Avoid the Worst Places

To avoid getting into worse seats, find a diagram of the desired aircraft on the Internet and pay attention to the features. Try not to end up in a seat located in front of an emergency exit: the backrest will not recline. Seats near the window near the exit are also considered unsuccessful, since they do not have one armrest.

They try to fill the row near the toilet last. Once on it, you won't recline the seat. But what’s worse is that you will have to forget about peace because of the passengers scurrying along the aisle, and sometimes even standing in line for the toilet.

Also pay attention to the features of the liners:

• Boeing 787-9 is an exception to the accepted rule “Seats near the emergency exit are the best.” Once you are at 30A or 30K, you will not enjoy the view from the porthole, because you will be sitting next to a blank wall. Similar disappointment awaits ticket holders for 41A and 41K.
• Ryanair operates Boeing 737-800 aircraft with a seating capacity of 189 people and crew. Passengers seated in the traditionally best seats near the emergency exit will have no surprises. But tickets for 11A and 12F will be sold last: there are no portholes next to them.
• Traveling internationally with Air France? Once on board the Airbus A340-300, avoid seating in row 43: D, E and F have reduced legroom. And on the Boeing 777 from the French carrier, problems arise for those who occupy the aisle seats in the 44th row. Since there are fewer seats in the 45, passengers often bump into the seats in the back.

Compare airlines: for a small price difference, having an outlet to charge your laptop will make your trip productive. Comfort largely depends on whether you were bored during the flight! Pay attention to the details and there will be no inconvenience.

To avoid having to endure discomfort, pay attention to the nuances:

• When studying aircraft diagrams, make sure they are up to date. The latest trend is to increase seats in economy class, and instead of arranging 3-3-3 seats, carriers use 3-4-3. The Airbus A380 has a 3-5-3 layout.
• Do not delay booking your tickets, otherwise you will find yourself at the end of the line.
• Don't be upset if the flight is overbooked and there are no options left. When flying domestically, passengers can change plans at the last minute, leaving you comfortable. Often, travelers upgrade their tickets to a business option, and the economy seat turns out to be free.
• Choosing between an aisle, middle or window seat is a dilemma for airline passengers. It is unpleasant to sit between a couple of strangers, but if you are traveling as a family, you will occupy 3 seats next to each other. Placing your child in the middle seat will prevent him from getting up frequently and disturbing others. A window seat is considered a winner, but leaving it to stretch your legs is difficult. When your neighbors fall asleep during the flight and you want to get up, problems will arise.
• Sit in the tail, middle or bow? This determines the class of service and the price you paid for the ticket. The worst option is the tail section, which is filled last.
• Avoid busy flights and improve your travel experience. When traveling outside the “hot” season, you can sit on 3 seats and sleep.

When choosing a location, keep in mind that letter designations are made not only in Latin, but also in Cyrillic. Check where places 1B and 1E are located!

How to fix the situation and find yourself in a better seat

If you find yourself in an uncomfortable chair, then if you have available options, correct the situation yourself. When a crew member announces boarding is complete, you have 5 minutes to change seats. It is important that it is prohibited to get up after the liner has picked up speed. When it takes off from the ground and rises to a height, the free and comfortable seats will be occupied by efficient air travelers.

Don't wait for help from the flight attendant and change seats yourself. You will have time to return to your place!

Experienced travelers advise being polite to crew members. This will increase the chances that they will see your discomfort during the flight and find a way to improve the conditions. When a flight attendant welcomes you on board upon boarding, take a moment to make eye contact and smile.

To enjoy your trip, study the carrier's rules and use the tips. There is more than one option at your disposal!

Pay for comfort

After all, on flights from low-cost airlines or when purchasing a non-refundable ticket, the seat is determined automatically. But you will get the choice by paying an additional fee. For such pleasure, the S7 company asks 300-1000 rubles, and UTair - 1500 rubles. The price depends on the convenience of the location.

To get the best seats, pay for the service!

Is it worth the expense? Decide if you are willing to pay for comfort. If you're on a budget, you just need to get from point A to point B. But if you have the means, make sure to provide the amenities: a pleasant holiday begins on board the plane when you recline your seat, stretch your legs and choose one of the entertainment options provided.

Select in advance and register

After viewing the aircraft diagram, name the desired option during registration; Be especially prepared if you're flying on a charter. After all, carriers are increasing the number of seats to the maximum, so there will be problems with legroom.

Arrive at the end of registration

When traveling by air on low-cost airlines, the system places passengers in uncomfortable seats, and for an additional fee they choose comfortable conditions. This means that towards the end of the procedure, mid-level options remain. But too much delay may result in you missing your flight, so don’t delay! If you arrive late, there is a risk that your seat will be given to another passenger.

Arrive early

Arriving at the airport early can be effective when we are not talking about low-cost airlines:

• For domestic flights, arrive 1 hour before departure.
• When traveling abroad, arrive 2 hours in advance.

The sooner you register, the higher the chance of getting the desired place.

Book: simple and effective

You can secure the best seat on board the plane when you book your ticket. The Internet will help you cope with the task: select a suitable flight and indicate that you want to buy a seat on board. Not all carriers offer this option, so please contact Customer Care if necessary.

It happens that the airline does not confirm the client's choice. In this case, the cost of booking a seat is refunded.

Take care of your comfort in advance, otherwise other passengers will take good seats. Choose your options as soon as the company starts selling flight tickets.

Airline employees also share tips on how to get the best seat. According to them, first of all, you should decide on your priorities and choose a reliable option:

• If you like to watch the views from the window and take photos, it makes a difference which side of the ship you sit on. For example, when flying from Los Angeles to Sydney, spectacular scenery opens up for those sitting on the left side. In order not to make a mistake, study passenger reviews on forums, taking into account the specifics of the route.
• Have you allocated 2-3 days for a tourist trip to Europe, so you don’t want to waste a minute? Bring a small bag that you won't have to check as luggage and sit at the front of the plane. Passengers sitting on the left will get to the exit faster.
• Want to sleep during your flight? A complex of factors plays a role: engine noise, the presence of neighbors who want to stretch their legs, and the comfort of the backrest. To find the best combination, choose seats at the front of the plane, preferably window seats.
• Professor Charles Spence, known for his discoveries in the field of gastrophysics, gives advice to lovers of delicious food. According to him, the dry air in the cabin and the noise prevent travelers from concentrating on the food being served. If you like to eat comfortably, buy business class tickets or choose economy seats located closer to the bow. The air will be humid, which will allow the sense of smell to work better. And the connection between smell and taste is known!

Have you chosen the best places for the month? Check whether the carrier has changed the terms of service. There is also a chance that a previously reserved seat will become available and you will take it. It happens that due to passenger capacity or the need for technical inspections, airlines send a different model of aircraft on a flight. In this case, the armor is removed, and your efforts go to waste.

If you still have questions about which seats on the plane are considered the best, watch the video:

Conclusion

To make your flight a positive experience, choose the best seats in advance. The more time you spend in the air, the more you will feel the lack of legroom or the inability to recline. Study the aircraft diagram, take into account general recommendations, and avoid mistakes!

Emergency exit seats

There is usually sufficient legroom in front of emergency exit seats. These places have only one drawback: choosing them when registering online is almost impossible. An airline employee must seat you there upon check-in at the airport. This is done so that passengers sit at the emergency exits, who in an emergency will be able to open the hatches and help with evacuation.

You are much more likely to get these advantageous places if you or your companion is a physically strong man.

Seats in the front of the cabin

These chairs often also provide increased legroom in front. An additional bonus: food begins to be served from the nose of the plane, so you can choose dishes from the entire assortment, and not from what is left.

But there are nuances. Many airlines reserve the first row for mothers with children, as this is where a bassinet for an infant can be installed. So, even if you find yourself in the coveted place, there is a risk of being surrounded by crying children.

Porthole seats

From these seats you can look out the window, read in natural light, and take pictures of clouds (if the airline allows photography on board). No restless neighbors will squeeze past. And you can sleep not only by leaning back in your chair, but also by clinging to the wall.

What are the worst seats on a plane?

Places in front of the emergency exit

As a rule, the chairs here do not recline so that the backs do not block the road in case of an emergency. At the same time, the seats in the row in front are fully functional. Therefore, there is a high risk of flying with your nose and knees buried in the back of your neighbor in front.

Seats in the last row

These chairs also do not recline because there is a wall behind them. One of the disadvantages can be added to the fact that the flight attendants' trolley with food and drinks reaches the passengers of the last row fairly empty. There will be nothing to choose from, you will have to eat what they give.

Seats near the toilets

The flow of passengers rushing to the restroom and the sound of doors opening and closing will not allow you to get enough sleep.

How to get a comfortable seat

Pay

When checking in for flights and for non-refundable tickets, a seat is assigned automatically. As a rule, these are uncomfortable chairs. But airlines offer to choose a seat for a fee: the more convenient it is, the more expensive it is. For Pobeda, changing a seat will cost 149–999 rubles, for S7 - 300–1,000 rubles, for UTair - 1,500 rubles. Since the service is provided on a commercial basis, the best places are honestly indicated on the salon diagrams.

Choose a place in advance and indicate it when registering

The arrangement of seats in the cabin depends not only on the aircraft model, but also on the airline. For example, on boards operating charter flights, the maximum possible number of seats is most often installed. This means that the distance between them is reduced to a minimum.

To understand where the emergency exits and toilets are on the plane, how many rows there are in the cabin and which one is the last, read the reviews. On the SeatGuru website you can enter the aircraft model, flight number and get a cabin diagram. Seat layouts in cabins are also available on airline websites.

Use the knowledge gained when checking in online or at the airport. For example, the best economy class seats on Aeroflot's Boeing 737-800 are in the sixth (first row of economy class) and thirteenth (near the emergency exit) rows. But the twelfth row is not the best choice: although the legroom is increased, the seats most likely do not recline.

Aeroflot.ru

Choose the least crowded flight and transfer

The fewest people wishing to fly are on flights on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the middle of the day. You can register for any seat, and then change to a comfortable one. It is better to first ask the flight attendant if this is allowed. Airlines that offer seat changes for an additional fee do not welcome such amateur activity.

Keep in mind that on the eve of the holidays, any flight will be busy.

Be one of the last to register

An option for those who fly with a low-cost airline, but do not want to pay for a seat. The system automatically places you in uncomfortable chairs. Passengers choose the most comfortable ones for money. By the end of registration, seats of average comfort remain free, one of which you can take for free. But you shouldn’t delay registration too much either: if you overbook, you simply won’t be put on the plane.

What tricks do you know for choosing the best seats on a plane?