Many people enjoy traveling to faraway exotic destinations to enjoy the scenery, but taking a long-haul flight is not always the most comfortable experience. Although business class may offer more comfort than economy class, it is often not within most people’s budget. However, there are still some ways to make the journey in economy class more comfortable.
The seating position in economy class can significantly affect your comfort level. Zach Griff, a senior reporter at travel website “The Points Guy,” told HuffPost, “The longer the flight, the more important the seating strategy becomes.”
So, what kind of economy class seat is best for long-haul flights? While the answer may vary for different planes, there are some best practices worth considering. Here are some suggestions shared by Griff and other experts with HuffPost.
Griff suggests that maximizing personal space is key, which may involve spending extra to purchase a seat with more legroom or strategically selecting a seat with unique configurations, such as an exit row or bulkhead seat.
For ease of evacuation, seats near the emergency exit are often more spacious as the area around them is typically left clear. Likewise, bulkhead seats behind a partition wall on the aircraft offer ample legroom. However, bulkhead seats are usually reserved for parents traveling with infants, so they may be noisier.
Even a little extra legroom can have a big impact during a long flight, so this is something to consider when choosing your seat.
Griff also advises against choosing the front row near the emergency exit. “I would definitely avoid the last row or the row in front of the emergency exit,” Griff added. “These seats often have limited recline functions, so be cautious before selecting them.”
Even if you cannot book a seat with additional space, you can still increase legroom by placing items in checked luggage or stowing carry-on bags in the overhead compartment rather than underfoot.
Travel expert and writer La Carmina says, “I always try to find a seat next to an empty middle seat with an aisle or window seat.”
“If the middle seat next to me is empty, it allows me to stretch out and sleep better,” Carmina said.
To increase the likelihood of achieving this scenario, she typically looks for a row with a window seat reserved in a three-seat configuration, then purchases the aisle seat in that row. “This way, there is only one empty seat in the middle, reducing the chances of it being reserved. If I choose an aisle seat in a completely empty three-seat row, two people looking to sit together may reserve the remaining two seats,” Carmina said, adding that she also tends to choose seats near the back rows as they are often the last to fill up.
Carmina pays attention to vacant seats on the plane before takeoff. If there are empty rows, she notes them and moves to one after the seatbelt sign indicating that it’s safe to move is turned off.
After sitting for a long time on a flight, many people like to get up and walk in the aisle to keep blood flowing. Sitting near the aisle allows you to freely stand up when needed without disturbing anyone. If you enjoy the view, or prefer to rest your head against the cabin wall while sleeping and want to avoid being disturbed by the meal service or other passengers, a window seat may be more suitable.
Griff recommends that if you are traveling as a couple, choosing an aisle seat and a window seat in a three-seat configuration may be a meaningful choice. This increases the chances of the middle seat remaining empty. If the middle seat is eventually occupied, you can always switch to a more desirable aisle or window seat with that person during the flight. However, in rare cases, you may encounter someone who doesn’t wish to switch seats.
When selecting seats, it’s also important to consider proximity to the galley and restrooms. These factors can impact comfort and sleep quality during the flight. These areas are usually marked on the seat map, so unless you don’t mind being disturbed by lights, noise, and odors, it’s best to avoid selecting seats near these areas.
“You need to decide whether you prefer to sit near the front or back of the aircraft,” Griff said. “Contrary to popular belief, sitting in the back of the plane actually has some benefits.”
Front seats on a plane tend to fill up before the back seats, so your experience in the back may be less crowded. It also increases the likelihood of finding an empty seat next to you.
Many airlines allow passengers to pay extra for seats near the front of the aircraft. However, you should consider whether it’s worth paying the extra fee, especially if the remaining front seats are only middle seats.
Victoria Yore, from the travel blog “Follow Me Away,” says that if there are many empty aisle or window seats to choose from, it is worth it to choose these seats even if they are at the back of the plane. Since you will have to wait for luggage anyway, and the deplaning process is usually chaotic, spending extra money on front row seats won’t make much of a difference and won’t save much time.
Collette Stohler, a travel expert from “Elite Travel Arrangements,” suggests checking SeatGuru website in advance to find the best seats on a specific aircraft. Not all plane layouts are the same.
“Some planes have unique ‘mini-cabins’ with only a few rows of seats. These smaller cabins are typically more private and quiet during the flight,” Griff pointed out. “Moreover, due to the curvature of certain planes, many airlines offer different seat configurations towards the back of the aircraft,” he added. “For example, you may find a 2-3-2 layout at the back of the aircraft instead of the usual 3-3-3 layout. These seats may be a good choice for couples or families traveling together.”
If you have multiple good flight options for your travel, look at different aircraft. You may find more comfortable options on newer planes.
Griff emphasizes the importance of selecting seats as soon as possible after booking your flight, ideally as early as possible. If you delay choosing seats, you may find that seat choices become limited as the flight approaches.
He suggests using an airline co-branded card for booking to get preferred seat coupons or fast track passes, which could lead to free upgrades or more legroom. If you are unable to select seats during the booking process, it’s best to check-in early.