Window, aisle, or bulkhead, it matters where you sit, especially if you don’t want to spend the flight inspecting the top of the head of the passenger in front of you. Here are some tips for getting a comfortable airline seat:
Bulkhead seats (those located in the first row in any class on the aircraft) often have more legroom.
Avoid the last row of seats in front of a bulkhead and the first row of seats in front of a door; these are “non-recliners,” so you won’t be able to tilt the seat back.
You can request a move to a more comfortable seat once the flight is at cruising altitude and you’re sure it’s open. Ask a flight attendant first if it’s okay to move.
Ask for an exit row seat, but bear in mind that only able-bodied passengers are allowed in these seats (so they can handle the emergency exit door if needed.) Many airlines don’t book exit row seats ahead of time, so you may have to negotiate for it at the airport.
Avoid middle seats. Try for aisle seats that will allow you elbow room (especially aisle seats in the center section of aircraft with three rows of seats across.)
Narrow body aircraft often have two rows of two seats, meaning you won’t be jammed into a middle seat no matter where you sit.
On wide body aircraft with three across seating in the middle row, choose an aisle seat or a seat in one of the two across rows.
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