Is window seat better or aisle?

10 Reasons Why the Aisle Seat is the Best Seat on a Plane

You know the debate between the window vs aisle seat on an airplane? Well these are the definitive reasons why the aisle seat is the best seat on a plane!

I feel like this is a debate that’s been going on since commercial airlines started flying 100 years ago but I’m here to put the debate to bed – the best airplane seat by a million miles is the aisle seat. Why? Well I’m about to tell you.

I would like to say I’m one of the lucky few who get to travel a lot. Maybe a bit to much information, but I was conceived in Jordan, I went on my first “holiday” at just 4-months-old and I’ve basically been travelling ever since. I feel like I’ve clocked up a lot of experience over the last 34 years of travelling around the world.

I’ve done everything from short 40-minute hops from London to Amsterdam to epic 40-hour round the world trips, all while trying to work out where’s best to sit on a plane for maximum relaxation and comfort.

Basically, what I’m trying to say, is I feel like I know what I’m talking about.

Window vs aisle seat – which one is best?

Now this isn’t an old debate. In fact, I’m actually firming flying the flag for the airplane aisle seat over on the Thomas Cook Airlines blog at the moment.

They really wanted to find out which seat was better and which one people preferred. Well, I am in the red corner promoting the aisle seat.

Thomas Cook Airlines asked the question on Twitter and these were the results:

How can 68% of people be so wrong! Come on guys, what are you thinking!

To help change you mind, these are the definitive reasons why the aisle seat is in fact the best seat on the plane.

I’ll trust you’ll make the right decision the next time you fly…

1. You have extra leg room

Yes, you really do. Now I’m not a tall man by any stretch of the imagination but even I like to stretch out.

By choosing the aisle seat you’ve got all of the wonderful space next to you for some extra leg room – this is such an important point if you’re a big or tall person.

Also, if you’re on a budget airline then I promise you it’s all about the plane aisle seat.

2. Quick access to the toilet

Even if I’m a camel and I hardly drink anything all day, I always find I need the toilet as soon as we’ve taken off.

Being very British, I just hate being that guy who disturbs someone while they’re trying to get some shut eye saying “excuse me, can I just delicately climb over you while I pop to the toilet?” Much better to avoid the whole situation and just go to the toilet whenever you want. For peace of mind I love it.

I love having quick access to all my equipment

3. Quick access to your bag & equipment

Being a travel blogger, you can imagine how much stuff I have in my bag. There’s my camera, laptop, memory cards that need to be backed up, blog posts that need to be written.

When I’m on a plane I’m often working, and it’s great being able to quickly jump up and grab something from my bag. Makes my work a lot easier I can assure you.

4. You get off the plane faster

Also, another reason why I love the airplane aisle seat is how quickly I can get off once we’ve landed. When you travel a lot, those extra few minutes you have at home because you got off the plane quickly can add up a lot. It’s the small things, right?

Do you struggle sleeping on a plane? Then make sure you check out my top tips for sleeping on a plane to help you out!

5. You get more food & booze

This is actually a thing, but I’ve found if you’re in the aisle seat you speak to the flight attendants more. If you speak to them more, they like you more.

That means when you ask for extra food and booze they’re more likely to give it to you. It’s a lot easier than trying to shout something you want from the window seat that’s for sure!

Eating on a plane and be near impossible sometimes

6. More space to eat

When it comes to eating on a plane I absolutely hate being in the middle seat as there’s just no room to eat your food. With an aisle seat, it’s great having that little extra space to be able to stick your elbows out and use your fork. Makes a huge difference and means you can actually enjoy your food.

7. It’s a lot easier to get up and exercise

If it’s a long flight of more than 6 hours nothing can be worse for your body than just sitting there not moving. Obviously deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) is a concern when flying long-haul and it’s always recommended you stretch your legs and get the blood pumping a few times in a flight. If you’ve got an aisle seat then it’s a lot easier to get up and exercise.

8. Life’s less stressful when travelling with kids

If you’re travelling with children then the aisle seat is the one for you. This is mainly because you’ll be able to get up quickly if shit hits the fan (both metaphorically and literally there).

Nothing can be worse than not being able to take care of your child when you’ve got one or two people in the way of you making it to the toilet or not.

If you’re travelling with a kid then it’s all about the aisle seat

9. The aisle seat is better in an emergency landing

Fingers crossed (touch wood, throw salt over your shoulder) that this never happens to you, but an aisle seat is better positioned for getting to an emergency exit.

They say in an emergency you’ve got 90 seconds to get to an exit. That’s the critical time to get off the plane. And it’s a lot harder to do that if you’re wedged in by the window.

10. Statistically the aisle seat is the best seat on a plane

Did you know that statistically the aisle seat is more popular? Apparently 7 in 10 frequent air travellers prefer the aisle seat as opposed to the window. So you see, it’s not just me!

At the end of the day, the whole window vs aisle seat is down to preference. It’s what you’re most comfortable with. For me though, after clocking up countless flights, I know what I prefer…

This post is in association with Thomas Cook Airlines to spark up a bit of a debate. As always, views are entirely my own and without bias.

Which side of the debate do you fall on? Do you prefer the window seat or the aisle seat? Let me know in the comments below!

Like this blog post? Then make sure you Pin it!

Which Are Best Seats On A Plane With A Toddler?

Taking a flight with a toddler sounds scarier than it is. Although you’ll spend weeks worrying about how your child will behave on the flight, the likelihood is it will all be okay.

Sure, sometimes people get unlucky and their toddler has a tantrum mid-flight but, even then, it’s worth it once you reach your destination.

Whether you’re heading for your first beach vacation, taking your toddler on his first ski trip or visiting family members you haven’t seen in years, the flight will be worth it, so choosing the best seats on a plane is critical.

Whether you’re flying for a vacation or visiting family, you probably feel nervous about your first flight with a toddler.

If your toddler is a whirlwind of energy and noise, you might worry about how he’ll cope in the confined space of a plane seat.

For helpful tips for a smooth flight, look at Flying With A Toddler – 15 Sanity Saving Tips And Ideas.

You might be wondering whether all airplane seats are created equal. Of course, you’re hoping for a smooth, stress-free journey and if a particular seating arrangement can make that more likely, you’ll want to snap it up before anybody else does.

Keep reading to find out what are the best seats on a plane for those traveling with toddlers and young children.

Do toddlers get their own seats on airplanes?

Whether your toddler has a seat of his own will depend on his age and whether you want to pay for an additional seat. Toddlers aged two years and above will require their own seat on the plane. Before their second birthday, toddlers can sit on your lap for free. However, some parents buy an extra seat for their toddler if money allows – especially for longer flights.

Can toddlers sit in bulkhead seats on airplanes?

Each airline will have its rules about who can sit where, but a bulkhead seat is generally considered an excellent option for families traveling with young children. The bulkhead is at the front of the cabin and sitting in those seats usually guarantees you some extra leg room.

Some airlines reserve bulkhead seats for families with babies in carrycots or toddlers sitting on laps. If you want a bassinet seat for your baby to sleep in during the flight, you’ll need to arrange this with the airline in advance.

One downside to the bulkhead position is that there are no seats in front of you, so you can’t store your hand luggage under them. Some airlines might let you keep a bag at your feet but others will want everything stowed away in an overhead locker, which can be difficult to access when travelling with younger children.

It’s worth calling customer services in advance to find out the rules on your flight.

Aisle or window seat with toddler?

The aisle seat and the window seat each have pros and cons, so how do you choose which will best suit your toddler? Firstly, consider how many people are traveling with you. If there are enough of you to fill a block of seats, you’ll have both an aisle and a window seat during the journey, which means your toddler can pick and choose.

However, if it’s just you and your toddler traveling, you’ll need to decide in advance. If you’re traveling with your toddler on your knee, the middle seats aren’t a great option as you’ll have strangers on either side.

The primary benefit of the window seat is that it provides entertainment, especially during take off and landing. Sitting by the window also means your toddler will be more penned in than he would otherwise be.

Alternatively, sitting by the aisle gives you easier access to the bathroom, which might be handy in emergencies. If you have a toddler who will want to walk up and down the aisle, an aisle seat will allow this without disturbing fellow passengers on your row. Consider your toddler’s temperament and decide which seat option will be best.

Do I need to book plane seats in advance with kids?

The easy answer is yes. It’s worth booking seats in advance if you’re traveling with children. If you don’t, you risk being separated from your children during the flight. Obviously, younger children will probably end up seated with you, but pre-booking takes the stress out of your journey.

Taking a loud toddler on a flight

Some toddlers are louder than others. If you think your toddler is likely to cry, yell and be noisy on the plane, you might want to book seats near the back of the aircraft. This section of the plane, behind the wings, is generally noisier, thanks to the engine, and the background hum might cover the sound of your child.

Although you don’t have to spend the flight worrying about the other passengers, if you know reducing your impact on them will help you relax, it might be worth booking seats in the noisy section of the plane.

Another positive about the back of the plane is that the engine noise can be soothing to young children, and you might find it lulls them to sleep.

Airplane seat extender for toddlers

Airplane seat extenders are devices that lengthen the seat and effectively prevent your toddler from climbing down into the footwell. They are privately sold and aren’t supplied by airlines, so you’ll need to buy one in advance if you are hoping to use one. They will give your toddler more space to sit, and even lie down, without disrupting other people. However, they will only work if your toddler has a seat of his own.

If you buy a plane seat extender, you’ll need to check in advance how it fits onto the seat. If it relies on the tray from the seat in front, you won’t be able to use it in the bulkhead seats. You’ll also need to pack it away during landing and take off.

Best seats on a plane for a family of 4

If you’re traveling as a family, you might wonder which is the best seating arrangement for a family of four. Often, airplane seats are in rows of three, so you’ll need to think carefully about where to position yourselves on the plane. For example, if two adults and two kids are traveling, you could split up into adult-child pairs and sit one in front of the other. This means both kids can enjoy a window view, which might help to avoid arguments.

Alternatively, you can seat one adult with two kids, with the remaining parent sitting across the aisle – although this might feel unfair to the adult who’s stuck parenting both kids during landing and take off. Or perhaps one adult can sit in the middle seat and have a child on either side, allowing the adult across the aisle to help with the child who’s closest.

Best plane seats for a family of 5

One great thing about traveling in a bigger group is you can worry less about other passengers. For example, if you have a toddler who is likely to kick the back of the seat in front, you can book a cluster of chairs, so the toddler is stationed behind another party member.

If you are traveling with three children, it’s worth considering seating arrangements in advance. Study the seat map before booking and imagine where your family might like to sit on a plane. How many window seats will you need, and who will get them? While younger children won’t argue about who sits by the window, older children will.

Which seat configuration works best for you will depend upon various things, including the ages of your children.