Use these pro tips when booking your seats to get more space, better views, ample storage and other amenities—without an upcharge
These Are the Best Seats to Book on an Airplane, According to Flight Attendants
Published on Dec. 10, 2024
There’s the person behind you putting their bare feet up on your armrest. There’s the person in front of you spreading their long hair over the back of their seat and covering your screen. And let’s not forget your row neighbors, who jockey for elbow room. Suffice it to say, airplane seating can make for a lot of drama. (We won’t even talk about the war over whether or not to recline your seat!) One thing that can lessen the pain a little is to make sure you choose the best airplane seat from the beginning.
But how do you know which seat is the “best”? We asked four flight attendants and an aerospace engineer who helps design large jets to reveal insider details about the top seat to book on a Boeing 737-800—one of the most popular commercial passenger planes—and other aircraft models. (Hint: A lot of it has to do with where the airplane’s bathrooms are located!)
“Oh, yes, flight attendants definitely have preferences when it comes to choosing a seat, based on our own experience and what we hear from passengers,” says Cecily Anderson, a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. “Our A-listers always have lots to say about which seats are the best.”
So whether you’re after extra legroom, a quick exit or a better view, read on for the ultimate guide to booking the perfect seat for your next trip.
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How much space does a standard seat generally offer?
The average economy seat offers 28 to 34 inches of pitch (the distance between the back of one seat and the back of the one in front of it) and 16 to 18 inches of width. In other words: It’s not very spacious. This makes picking the right seat location even more important.
However, these dimensions can vary depending on the airline and aircraft model. For instance, the Airbus A320 often offers slightly wider seats than Boeing airplanes do, while budget airlines, like Ryanair, may sacrifice pitch to cram more seats in the cabin.
And of course, business and first-class seats are much bigger. So if comfort is your top priority and you can swing the added cost, you may want to upgrade your flight to a roomier class.
What is the best seat on a Boeing 737-800?
Best seat: The exit row
“Hands down, my first choice is any seat in the exit rows because they have the most legroom,” says Bill Bernal, the president of the TWU Local 556, the union for Southwest flight attendants. But none of our flight attendants could limit themselves to just one choice. Bernal has a backup pick: “My personal second choice would be a window seat in the front row. You get some extra legroom and a nice view, and you can exit the plane quickly when you land.”
Rosie Awad, a flight attendant with Virgin Australia, has a different pick. “I would always choose row 5 at the window,” she told the publication Tyla. “There are great views, you can see the airplane wing, you get extra legroom, there are no emergency-exit responsibilities, you’re able to put a bag under the seat in front, it’s close for disembarking and is one of the first rows to be served for in-flight service. … See why I chose it?”
Worst seat: Any seat in the last row or any row next to a bathroom
“I’m so sorry to those who get any in that row,” Awad said of the seats abutting a bathroom. “‘I think it’s pretty self-explanatory why this is chosen!”
Ethan Smith, a flight attendant for an international airline, adds that the worst spot is, specifically, “any seat in row 30 (the last row on most Boeing planes) because you can’t recline the seat, and it’s close to the lavatory. It’s noisy, and there’s often a line of passengers waiting for the lav, encroaching into your space.”
What is the best seat on a Boeing 737-Max 8 and 737-700?
Best seat: The exit row seat with nothing in front of it
“My favorite—and the favorite of a lot of our frequent fliers—is the exit-row seat with no seat in front of it,” Anderson says. “It’s been dubbed the ‘daddy longlegs’ seat. The tall passengers all want that seat, and you always hear them say it’s the best seat in the house.” She points out that while the 737-700 has only one of these rows, the 737-Max 8 has two.
Can’t nab a seat in this prime location? “My second pick would be any seat in the exit row because you just get more room,” Anderson says.
Worst seat: Anderson agrees with Awad about the seats closest to the lavatories, and Smith echoes his previous caution about the back row.
What is the best seat on an Airbus A320?
Best seat: Window seat in rows 10 to 12
“This might be just a ‘me’ thing, but because I do long international flights, my favorite seat is the one I can sleep best in—and for me, that’s any window seat,” Smith says. “The curved wall makes it easier to curl into, and I find it soothing to look out the window, especially at night.”
Of course, he doesn’t get to sleep on the plane when he’s working, just when he flies as a passenger. But unless you’re a flight attendant, you won’t have the same constraints. If you’re on a long-haul flight or traveling through the night, it may be smart to factor sleep into your seat selection.
As for which seats are tops, he recommends a window seat in rows 10 to 12, often labeled as “extra legroom” or “economy plus” on airline seat maps. “You get extra legroom without the extra cost of business class,” he says.
Worst seat: Smith says he avoids the middle seats if at all possible. “There’s no good way to sleep, and there’s a solid chance you’re next to someone chatty,” he adds.
What is the best seat on a Boeing 777?
Best seat: A window seat in row 26 (if you’re in premium economy) or row 31 (for regular economy)
These seats offer great views and extra legroom without being too close to the galley or restrooms, Smith explains. “Plus, you can use my sleeping trick and lean into the window,” he says.
Worst seat: A middle seat in row 50 makes for an uncomfortable flight. Just as it is on other planes, this back-row seat is loud, cramped and lacking in overhead bin space. But worst of all, it’s uncomfortably close to the restroom.
What is the safest seat on an airplane?
“I have a bit of a different perspective when choosing my seat,” says a Boeing aerospace engineer who asked not to be named. “I’m not a flight attendant, but I fly a lot, and I help design large jets, so I always go for what is the safest seat in the event of a problem with the plane.”
It’s not even about crashes, he says. The safer seats offer more protection during bad turbulence.
Safest seats: The aerospace engineer we talked to says airline data points to the middle and aisle seats of the last five rows of the plane as the safest. “I always choose one of those, and yes, I do pay attention during the safety briefing and look for the nearest exits,” he says.
Deadliest seats: The aisle seats in the middle to back 10 rows have the highest fatality rate in the case of an accident, he says.
In our article on the safest seats on an airplane, Doug Drury, a professor and the head of aviation at Australia’s Central Queensland University, confirms that these are statistically the safest and deadliest airplane seats.
How can you find out what model of plane you’re booking?
Knowing your plane model is easier than you think. Here’s how:
- Check your booking confirmation email. Many airlines include the aircraft type in the details section.
- Visit the airline’s website. Use the Manage My Booking feature to find specifics about your flight.
- Call customer service or ask the gate agent at the airport.
- Use an app. Platforms like AeroLOPA, SeatGuru and FlightAware not only identify the aircraft but also highlight the best seats based on user reviews.
What else should you keep in mind when choosing your seat?
There are a few other factors to consider when choosing a seat, according to the flight attendants we talked to:
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Time of day: If you’re flying early in the morning or late at night, a window seat lets you sleep undisturbed.
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Flight duration: Longer flights justify spending extra on premium economy or extra-legroom options. Aisle seats offer easier access to the bathroom.
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Your priorities: Put your needs first. A desire for extra legroom, quieter surroundings and proximity to the exit will affect your choice.
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Your travel companions: Traveling with people who have special needs—such as children, older adults and those with disabilities—goes more smoothly when you choose seats that have more room and/or are near the front of the plane for easier boarding and deplaning.
For savvy travelers, the right seat can transform a flight from tolerable to enjoyable. (Although it can’t guarantee your neighbor’s bare feet or hair won’t invade your space.) With our expert advice, you’re ready to book your next flight like a pro. Happy travels!
About the experts
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece, Charlotte Hilton Andersen tapped her experience as a longtime journalist to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Cecily Anderson, flight attendant with Southwest Airlines; in-person interview, Nov. 27, 2024
- Bill Bernal, president of TWU Local 556 union for Southwest flight attendants; email interview, Nov. 28, 2024
- Ethan Smith, flight attendant with an international airline; phone interview, Nov. 27, 2024
- Tyla: “Flight attendant explains why she always books seats in the fifth row”
