Choosing the right seat on a plane is key to having a comfortable trip, especially on long flights over five hours.
Some seats get the heat of turbulence during the flight, others are uncomfortable, and a few will leave you feeling cold during the rest of the flight. Which one are those, you ask?
Here are the 7 worst plane seats you should never book and the ones airlines will try to stick you with.
1. The Last Row Seats
No one likes the last rows on a plane, which is why those seats are always free and cost less than the others.
There is no recline zone, turbulence can be more noticeable, and the crew might gather there to chat. These are just a few ways to sum up the misery of last-row seats.
For this reason, they can be very uncomfortable, especially if you’re planning to sleep during your flight.
In addition, you’ll probably be right by the bathroom, meaning you’ll deal with flushing sounds and the occasional unfortunate odor.
And, let’s not forget, you’ll be the last person to get off the plane. If you have a tight connection, this row should be your last choice.
2. Emergency Exit Seats
At first glance, these seats don’t seem too bad. After all, you’re not in the last row, and exit-row seats usually have more legroom.
However, there’s a catch! These seats don’t recline. Airplane safety regulations require that seats directly in front of an exit row stay upright to prevent blocking the emergency exit.
What does that mean for you? You’ll be stuck in an uncomfortable position for the duration of the flight.
3. Middle Seats (Anywhere on the Plane)
If you’re an introvert or simply want to travel silently, the middle seats are your worst-case scenario.
Booking one means you’ll be squished between two strangers who may or may not be chatty with each other—or with you!
There’s always the awkward lack of personal space, where you can’t really feel comfortable as your knees or shoulders awkwardly bump into the passengers next to you. And, let’s not forget the small armrest battle between you and the strangers.
There are a few specific situations where the middle seat might actually be the right choice for you. Here they are, I suggest taking a look.
4. Exit Row Seats (Next to the Door)
Let’s talk again about the exit row because we have to mention another bad side. The row of seats directly by the exit door is usually colder than the rest of the cabin. Why is that?
It’s because the door isn’t as insulated as the rest of the plant, meaning you’ll feel a small draft throughout the flight. If you’re the type who’s always cold, bring a thick jacket or a travel blanket, just in case.
5. Bulkhead Seats
Another seating place that offers a lot of legroom is the front section, known also as the bulkhead seats.
There’s no one reclining into your lap, and there’s extra legroom. However, there’s no under-seat storage.
That means your bag goes in the overhead bin, making it a hassle to grab anything mid-flight. If you need your headphones, gum, or anything else, you’ll need to keep it on your person.
Plus, these seats are often reserved for passengers with babies, meaning you might be in for a crying-filled journey.
6. Back-of-the-Wing Seats
If flying makes you nervous, avoid the seats at the back of the plane. In general, the further you get from the plane wings, the more pronounced the shaking.
This can make for a very tense flight, as you might not be able to relax and sleep with the shaking.
Plus, if you’re prone to motion sickness, this is not the place to be. On the contrary, stick closer to the wings, where the plane’s center of gravity makes for a smoother ride.
This is especially important if you’re flying one of the 10 most turbulent routes in the world.
7. Seats Near the Engines
Although the wing area is the most stable, you must also consider that it may be the noisiest.
Unfortunately, especially on older aircraft, sitting near the engine guarantees constant, overwhelming noise. In particular, the drone of the engine is the loudest over the wings and toward the back.
So it also depends on your personal preferences. Do you prefer a quieter seat, a more stable one during turbulence, a cheaper option, or extra legroom?
For every preference, there’s a perfect seat and one you should definitely avoid.
The Most Important Thing to Consider
Now, we have seen that each seat has its pros and cons.
Probably the choice of seat on the plane is not even the most important thing. In my opinion, in order to have a comfortable trip, the best is to have a free seat next to you.
How can you get it? I explained everything in the article on how to increase the chances of having an empty seat next to you on a flight.
