Transatlantic flight: Window or aisle?

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ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: bignateyk
each has their advantages...

aisle is good for:

1) easy bathroom access
2) easy stretching access
3) LEG ROOM

#3 is a biggy for me.. I like to stretch my legs out into the aisle

window:

1) not bothered by others
2) sleeping against the wall

Not mention that the drink cart doesn't slam into your knees and run over your toes if you're not paying attention.
 

Journer

Banned
Jun 30, 2005
4,355
0
0
aisle is exponentially better. you may get bumped from time to time, but you have the ability to get up whenever you want. sometimes the people next to you may need to get up too, but you can use this as time to strech
 

HaxorNubcake

Golden Member
Jun 23, 2004
1,983
0
0
If you're flying in a 747 and manage to get the exit row, take the aisle or middle. The window seat in 747 exit rows has the door in the way, so a lot of your legroom is lost
 

bignateyk

Lifer
Apr 22, 2002
11,288
7
0
Originally posted by: ThePresence
Originally posted by: bignateyk
each has their advantages...

aisle is good for:

1) easy bathroom access
2) easy stretching access
3) LEG ROOM

#3 is a biggy for me.. I like to stretch my legs out into the aisle

window:

1) not bothered by others
2) sleeping against the wall

Not mention that the drink cart doesn't slam into your knees and run over your toes if you're not paying attention.

yeah thats happened a few times. Youd think they would pay attention to where they are pushing the damn thing instead of slamming into my knee full force.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: HaxorNubcake
If you're flying in a 747 and manage to get the exit row, take the aisle or middle. The window seat in 747 exit rows has the door in the way, so a lot of your legroom is lost

It's a 777, and the exit seats are first given to those in the Frequent Flier program or something like that.
 

SSSnail

Lifer
Nov 29, 2006
17,458
83
86
Just upgrade to Business and don't have to worry about any of this. First is even better.
 

savvy

Senior member
Nov 24, 1999
640
0
0
I never thought of the aisle seats' advantages before. The few times that I've flown I argued with my sister on getting the window seat for the view.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Just upgrade to Business and don't have to worry about any of this. First is even better.
I don't have a spare 5k laying around.
 

KMFJD

Lifer
Aug 11, 2005
32,679
52,115
136
Window seat, i'm always getting bumped into when sitting in the aisle
 

z0mb13

Lifer
May 19, 2002
18,106
1
76
Originally posted by: ThePresence
Originally posted by: SSSnail
Just upgrade to Business and don't have to worry about any of this. First is even better.
I don't have a spare 5k laying around.

IMO not worth it to pay business... waste too much money.. unless someone else is footing the bill!

I prefer window, u have the wall to rest ur head to
 

db

Lifer
Dec 6, 1999
10,575
292
126
When flying was new to me, I wanted to look out the window.
These days I prefer the aisle as it's less hassle when I want to get out of my seat (and back in).
 

puffff

Platinum Member
Jun 25, 2004
2,374
0
0
i always ask for an aisle seat. the leg room is most important to me, or else i'll start feeling cramped.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Economy Plus FTW. Best value in my opinion.

I prefer window, i can reste my head on the wall. Aisle isn't better because in transatlantic flights those trolleys are constnatly going back and forth so its not like you can just stick your feet out there and fall asleep.
 

Martin

Lifer
Jan 15, 2000
29,178
1
81
I'm 6'4" and poor (cheapo airlines pack the places like a can of sardines) so the only thing that matters to me is that I get an emergency exit row seat. My favourite is the emergency-row window side aisle seat.
 

MotionMan

Lifer
Jan 11, 2006
17,124
12
81
I use to love the window for the view and the cool air (I am always warm). But, to be honest, since 9/11, I decided that my 6'3", 230 lbs. body would be more useful in the aisle (it sounds crazy, but it is true).

That being said, I find the freedom to get in and out without having to ask for someone else's permission (or, having to wake them up) is a huge advantage. Plus, as I get bigger (I use to weigh "a little" less), the windows seat seems to feel more confined, especially if there is someone in the middle.

MotionMan
 

Newfie

Senior member
Jun 15, 2005
817
0
76
Aisle as long as you are not dependent on the wall to sleep. Your legs will thank you for it later.
 

AndrewR

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
11,157
0
0
Definitely pick the aisle seat.

Cold at the window seat??? Try flying on an Asian airline (Korean Air in this case) on the window on the side with the sun. I was sweating the entire time from Atlanta to Seoul, and the guy on the aisle seat was sleeping so I couldn't move freely. WORST flight ever.
 

BCYL

Diamond Member
Jun 7, 2000
7,803
0
71
I always pick window, because I usually sleep on the plane and I hate it when people wake me up climbing over me to the bathroom or flight attendants hit me on the shoulder with their carts...
 

BMdoobieW

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
3,166
0
76
I always do window for the view. I don't think I've ever done aisle. Ever. But if it were a night flight over uninteresting territory, I think I would try it.
 

gsethi

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2002
3,457
5
81
Middle seat...that Apple ad comes to mind :p

Personally, I always take the Window seat. Something to look at (time passes) and a wall as your headrest. Even at night, you can still see lights etc. (if flying over land) or the movements of the wing etc.

You can always tell the person in middle/aisle to stand when you have to go to restroom. If they sleeping, tell them that your other option is to pee on them ;) (joking)

Seriously, in my West coast <-> East Coast flights, I only get up once in the middle of the flight (~6hrs). So trans-atlantic, max I will be getting up is ~2 times which is not annoying to anyone.

Yes, aisle is good b/c you can get up anytime and stretch without asking someone