Travel Tips

Best place to sit on a plane: How to choose the perfect spot

A guide to the best place to sit on a plane, plus travel tips for getting the seat you want. From more legroom in exit rows to space for a bassinet in the bulkhead, here’s all you need to know to find the best airplane seats for your trip.

Where is the best place to sit on a plane? It’s a question that’s been asked over the years for countless holiday trips, international long-haul flights, and business commutes. It’s an infallible truth — not all airplane seats are created equal — but, we’ve got the solution.

While airline seat maps may not be able to show you where the crying baby is, this guide will lead you to the best seats for you.

Whether you’re the parent trying to prevent the crying, a solo traveler looking for the best spot to snooze, or a business professional on the hunt for more legroom, here’s how to pick the best place to sit on a plane.

In this article

Factors to consider when choosing a seat

The key to finding a good seat for enjoyable air travel lies in proper consideration before you fly.

While a few feet doesn’t make much difference on the street, any airline traveler will be quick to tell you that economy seats and business class can feel like worlds apart, and middle seats are almost never preferred to the aisle. In short, where you sit makes a difference.

In this section, we cover the details of seats per their locations on most airlines, their pros and cons, and why people choose one over another.

Here’s everything you need to know before the doors close, seat belts are buckled, and the flight attendant asks you to activate airplane mode.

The best place to sit on a plane for your needs. Source: Unsplash

Noise levels in different parts of the plane

The quietest parts of a plane are typically at the front, away from the engines. Passengers seated in first or business class often experience less noise — which goes some way to explaining the price of admission — because the engines are usually mounted beneath or behind the wings in the middle.

Meanwhile, the noisiest areas are at the back of the plane. This is because the engines are louder as you move toward the rear, and turbulence can amplify sound.

In general, middle sections strike a balance between noise levels and stability, and proximity to the engines matters.

Seats near the service galley or bathrooms can also be noisy due to frequent activity and foot traffic. Travelers with a fear of flying or sound sensitivity would do best as far away as possible from the rear and high foot-traffic areas.

Legroom and recline options

Seat pitch, the distance between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it, determines legroom and overall comfort during a flight.

The following types of seats offer these passenger accommodations:

Standard economy: Typically ranges from 30 to 32 inches in seat pitch, though this varies by airline and aircraft.
Premium economy: Provides increased seat pitch and recline compared to standard economy, enhancing comfort on longer flights.
Bulkhead seats: Located at the front of a section, these seats don’t have seats in front of them, providing more legroom. However, they may lack under-seat storage, forcing your trusty backpack for airline travel above and out of reach. Also, they may have tray tables in the armrests, which can reduce seat width.
Exit rows: Often offer extra legroom due to safety regulations, but may have fixed armrests and limited recline.

Seats close to exits for quick deboarding

Sitting near the exit allows passengers to deboard quickly. This saves time and allows you to avoid long waits, especially on large or crowded planes.

It’s particularly beneficial for travelers with a connecting flight, those eager to reach their destination, or anyone looking to avoid the congestion of passengers retrieving luggage and moving slowly through the aisles.

Airline traveler sitting in an exit row. Source: Canva

Best seats for solo travelers

Whether you’re a young professional traveling to one of the best digital nomad cities around or a seasoned veteran of adventure, you’ve got to weigh your options for ideal travel.

Here are the pros and cons by seat location to help you find the best place to sit on a plane as a solo traveler.

Aisle seats: Best airplane seats for solo passengers who like to get up often

✅Pros:

Easy access to the aisle for stretching, bathroom breaks, or retrieving all of your belongings from the overhead bin
More legroom on one side, allowing you to stretch into the aisle (when safe)
No need to disturb other passengers when getting up
Convenient for quick exit during deboarding

❌Cons:

Frequent disturbances from other passengers or crew moving through the aisle
Greater likelihood of being bumped by carts or people walking past
May feel less private compared to other seat options
Limited view compared to window seats

Window seats: Best airplane seats for solo passengers who like a view (or like to sleep)

✅Pros:

Unobstructed view, perfect for enjoying scenery or taking photos
A sense of privacy and fewer distractions from aisle activity
No interruptions from fellow passengers needing to get up
Leaning against the wall for extra comfort during naps

❌Cons:

Harder to get up for bathroom breaks or to stretch, especially if seatmates are asleep
Can feel more confined or restrictive compared to an aisle seat
Limited access to the aisle and overhead bins
Slightly less legroom in some aircraft

Seats near the wing: Best airplane seats for solo passengers who are nervous about traveling

✅Pros:

The wing is the most stable part of the plane, offering a smoother ride with less turbulence
Seats near the wing tend to be quieter than those at the back
Great for those idyllic airplane-wing travel photos

❌Cons:

Unless you want one of those airplane-wing photos (which can be lovely!) the view can otherwise be obstructed by the wing, making it less ideal for sightseeing
Some seats near the wing may have less recline due to the position of the emergency exit or proximity to the wing
These seats are often centrally located, meaning you’re in the midst of the cabin’s hustle and bustle, with more foot traffic and activity

Best seats for traveling with kids

Juggling portable devices, kids’ carry-on bags, multiple boarding passes, and the general needs of little ones isn’t easy.

Finding the best airplane seats for traveling with kids can help — a lot. Here’s a breakdown of a few options.

Find the best place to sit on a plane for an easy trip with your family. Source: Canva

Bulkhead seats: Best airplane seats on international flights for young kids and families

Bulkhead seats are great for traveling with kids because they offer extra legroom, providing space for children to move around.

These seats also typically come with a bassinet option for infants, making it easier to care for babies during the flight.

Additionally, without seats in front of you, there’s less risk of kicking or disturbing other passengers.

Great for: ✅Babies ✅Infants ✅Kids

Window seats: Best airplane seats for kids who need a safe corner

If listening to downloaded music, watching offline videos, or engaging in one of the many other things you can do on airplane mode can’t hold them, window seats are perfect for traveling with kids because they offer a view that can keep them entertained.

Watching clouds, landscapes, or other planes can help keep their attention and even help them rest and relax. The window also provides a sense of privacy and security, away from the motion of the aisle.

Great for: ✅Infants ✅Kids

⭐ Bonus travel tip: Between the kids’ need to access the internet right away upon landing, and keeping loved ones up to date for safety and pick-ups, staying connected with the Holafly eSIM during your travels provides peace of mind while traveling with your family. With customizable unlimited data packages in over 200 destinations across the globe, you’re sure to be covered, wherever you go.

Rows close to lavatories: Best airplane seats for quick and easy bathroom visits

Rows near lavatories are convenient for traveling with kids because they make bathroom trips quicker and easier, especially during emergencies.

The proximity helps reduce the hassle and potential disturbance of walking through the cabin with young children. Additionally, being near the lavatory is helpful for frequent diaper changes or washing up during the flight.

Great for: ✅Babies ✅Infants ✅Kids

Best seats for sleeping during a flight

Using airplane WiFi to finish off some spreadsheets? Or searching for the perfect calm playlist to send you off to sleep?

Whichever of the two makes you drift off (on purpose or not), let’s go through the best seats on a plane for catching some Zs during a flight.

Where’s the best place to sit on a plane for sleep? Source: Canva

Window seats for fewer disruptions

Window seats offer fewer disruptions as there’s no risk of anyone needing to get past you to get out of their seat, bumping you in the aisle, or waking you up by grabbing something from overhead storage.

Airplane windows offer a nook with low light and no interruptions, making it one of the best seats on international flights and domestic flights alike for getting some sleep.

Exit rows for quiet company

Emergency exit rows cannot be occupied by children. Though most parents do their best to make sure children are well-behaved during flights, exit row seats could be an attractive option for those looking to minimize risk factors that could disrupt attempts to sleep.

How to secure the best seat on your next flight

The best seat on a plane is just a click away. While not everyone has access to business class, there are still trade tricks and travel tips to board with the best seat you can get.

Tips for getting the seat you want:

Check in ASAP for a wide selection of seats — we recommend checking in online to save yourself the hassle of standing in long lines at airport check-in desks. Avoid roaming charges while you check in for your return journey, by getting a handy eSIM for your destination, or using your hotel’s wifi.
Use the airline’s app and seat map to view available options and select your preferred spot in advance.
Upgrade for a different seat and experience — many airlines allow you to upgrade seats or set up automatic upgrades to secure better options during booking. You can often use frequent flyer miles, pay an additional fee, or enroll in loyalty programs that prioritize seat upgrades based on your membership tier.

Final thoughts on the best place to sit on a plane

So, what is the best place to sit on a plane for you? Are you headed to the airport with a long-haul flight ahead of you, needing to prioritize sleep?

Then maybe a quiet spot in the middle of the main cabin near a window could be good for you. Or, maybe you’re traveling with a family, and need the extra room the bulkhead row offers.

Whatever type of traveler you are, we wish you the best of luck on your journey and hope you find the best place to sit on a plane to match your travel needs.

Get your Holafly eSIM sorted out before you travel, with instant activation and prices which get lower the longer you need, and you’re all ready for takeoff!

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Sam Morrison

Detroit native, foothills and lakes of North Carolina raised, Barcelona-based writer and creator. Sam lives and loves by the phrase: words create worlds. An international lifestyle matched with a background in psychology, business, and creative writing has allowed Sam to create content for a range of artists, entrepreneurs, and fashion and lifestyle brands across the globe. Sam's an avid water sports athlete with a passion for fashion, well-being, and adventure.

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