Over the years, airline seats in economy class have only gotten smaller and more uncomfortable. But even among the crammed rows of the coach cabin, not all seats are born equal—there are some that are simply better than others.
Some seats come with more legroom, have hidden perks, or are located in specific areas of the cabin that make flying easier and more enjoyable for certain types of travelers.
Keep in mind that if you do want to choose your seat in advance, you should avoid booking basic economy. Many airlines automatically assign passengers seats in basic economy after check-in or at the gate, and customers often aren’t allowed to make changes.
Even in regular economy class, some airlines charge a seat selection fee—anywhere from $25 to upwards of $100—to choose a spot that’s not in the last few rows of the cabin.
But if you’re able to pick, these are some of the best seats on the plane, depending on the type of traveler you are.
Nervous fliers
Many passengers who have a fear of flying have anxiety over mid-air turbulence or feeling the plane turn shortly after takeoff or before landing. In these cases, a seat in the middle aisle over the wing might feel the most stable, especially during turns.
“There is a keen debate around whether there is actually much difference between the front and rear of the aircraft,” says Paul Tizzard, a fear-of-flying coach with LoveFly. “Some feel it is huge, others say it is marginal. Factually speaking, the point of balance is over the wings or maybe slightly forward. This is considered the ‘best place’ by many.”
If you’re feeling anxious, you might also consider choosing a seat with a view into the galley, where flight attendants are often working. When hitting rough air, it can be comforting to see the cabin crew smiling, talking, and going about their business. You can also let the flight attendants know you’re a nervous flier. They’ll likely come and check on you through the flight or during turbulence to reassure you, in which case an aisle seat might make those interactions easier.
Parents flying with an infant
If you’re flying with a baby, it could be a good idea to target the first row of seats in the plane cabin, directly behind the wall separating business class or premium economy from coach. It’s also called the bulkhead row, and comes with perks for parents: many airlines offer to attach an infant bassinet to the bulkhead wall for free.
“The bulkhead, which can have a bassinet attached, is an ideal place for parents with infants, allowing hands [to be] free for eating, and if you hit the sleep jackpot, then maybe even time to watch a movie,” says Carrie Bradley, a former flight attendant and editor of the blog Flying With a Baby. The perk is usually available on long-haul flights, but some airlines also offer the bassinets on short-haul routes, too.
