How to Pick the Best Seats On A Plane In Economy For Long-Haul Flights?

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Physical discomfort, sleep disturbance, increased stress—all of it happened to me recently on my last flight just because I made one silly mistake.

Guess what it is? I gave up on the best seats on a plane in the economy for long-haul flights. But which ‘best economy seats’ here I’m talking about?

Well, I’d say the finest ones are bulkhead seats and exit row seats due to extra legroom, aisle seats for stretching, and more shoulder room.

But if you’re more into enjoying the view, pick window seats, and for quietness, go for seats near the front. In case you prefer it less crowded, middle-section aisle seats can be a good choice.

But exactly why does a premium economy seat matter so much, and how are you going to get the best seat possible? Well, the answers are all down there. So, activate your thumb and scroll down.

Key Takeaways
For sleepers, window and aisle seats are the best and for frequent bathroom users, aisle seats are better.
Front-of-cabin and bulkhead seats are better for family trips and standard economy seats are for budget-conscious passengers.

Why Do the Best Seats On A Plane In Economy For Long-Haul Flights Matter?

Long-haul flights are often done with planes like Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A350. They’re often spacious with 3-4-3, 3-3-3 layouts. But that doesn’t mean all the seats are equally comfortable. So, you need to pick the best seat, and this is why you need to do that.

Legroom

A comfortable air journey has a lot to do with having enough legroom, especially in long-haul flights. So, when you’re getting the best seats on a plane, you’re going to get that for sure.

Recline

Who doesn’t want their head resting in an adjustable seat? I bet you do too. So, when you’re up for a long-haul journey, booking the best seat can get you the recline feature to travel with total relaxation.

Amenities

When you choose the best seat on the plane, it surely keeps you closer to restrooms and galleys. This will surely save you some time during ’emergencies’. Plus, these seats often include an entertainment screen, which can save you from boredom.

Noise

One of the best things about these seats is that they’re often far enough from the engine. This means the last thing you’ll have to worry about is unwanted noise. Plus, galleys are comparatively quieter there as well.

Aisle or Window

Do you know which seats are often hard to get? Aisle and window seats. After all, these seats offer one of two things: a better view and easier access to different places.

Types of Economy Seats Available 

When it comes to economy class on long-haul flights, the comfort and amenities can differ based on the type of seat you’re picking. But how many types of seats are there? Well, here’s your answer.

Standard Economy Seats

If you’re asking for the most common and affordable seats in the economy cabin, this is it. They usually come with basic comfort, where the legroom is quite limited. And yes, it does come with a recline where the distance between seats is around 30 to 32 inches.

Extra Legroom Economy Seats

These are basically the standard economy seats but with additional legroom. Sounds like a relief for taller passengers, isn’t it?

You’re going to see them mostly in exit rows or bulkhead rows. But unlike the regular economy seats, they’re going to cost you slightly extra.

Bulkhead Seats

If your preferred seat is the one in front but with extra legroom, you’re going to love this one for sure. But due to being close to the galley, the surroundings can be a bit noisy. And the worst part is, you can’t put items under the front seat, as there won’t be any seats in front of you.

Exit Row Seats

You’ll find these seats next to the emergency exits, and they come with extra legroom as well.

Though this type of seat selection can give you more space, you’ll have to compromise with the limited recline. On top of that, airlines usually charge an extra fee for this type of seat.

Economy Plus/Premium Economy

These are the best seats airlines offer in the economy section. You’ll get it all here, from more legroom to increased recline.

Many airlines also provide additional amenities here, such as enhanced meal service and even priority boarding. However, they’re not as luxurious as business class. But they surely can be more comfortable for long-haul flights.

Best Seats Based on Traveler Preferences 

The right seat to choose depends mostly on the traveler’s preference. But which passengers like exactly which type of seat? Well, here are a few:

Window Seats for the Sleep Seekers

If you’re a flight sleeper, window seats are the best for you. It’ll allow you to lean against the wall for support. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the foot traffic, which will let you have a peaceful sleep. But the best part is, you can enjoy a nicer view whenever you open your eyes.

 Aisle Seats for the Frequent Bathroom User

When you need frequent bathroom breaks, aisle seats are the best for you. After all, you’ll have convenient access to the restroom.

Plus, with these seats, you won’t have to disturb other passengers to get up. However, the foot traffic might be a bit disturbing.

Exit Row and Bulkhead Seats for Stretching Out

I can’t think of better seats than the exit row and bulkhead seats for passengers who need extra legroom. Thanks to the extra space to stretch out, these seats can be perfectly comfortable for taller passengers.

The same goes for those who like keeping their legs extended while flying. However, if you’re taking the exit row seats, be aware of additional responsibilities during emergencies.

Front-of-Cabin and Bulkhead Seats for Families

For solo flies, picking the right seat is not much of a hassle. But when it comes to family trips, it’s better to go for something like seats in the front of the cabin or bulkhead seats.

The first benefit of these seats is they have easier access to the restroom. Plus, they offer more space for kids to play around.

On top of that, due to being close to the front of the plane, you won’t have to deal with higher noise levels or disturbances from other passengers.

Standard Economy with Strategic Choice for the Budget-Conscious

If you don’t want to dig deeper in your pocket, standard economy seats will suit you better. But how comfortable it’s going to be depends on how strategically you’re choosing the seat.

So, whether you’re picking the first row, window, or aisle seat, make sure you’re considering the proximity to amenities, legroom, and noise levels around you.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Seat

While booking your flight, if you’re not paying extra attention to find the best, the chance is quite high that you’re going to get the wrong one.

And with longer flights, this can turn into a nightmare. So before you swipe that card on your next ticket, go through these factors first:

Flight Duration and Time of Day

The first two things you need to keep in mind to pick the right seat are the flight’s duration and the time of day. Make sure the seat comes with extra legroom and amenities that can make it more comfortable.

But if your flight is during the day, pick a window seat for enjoyable views. Plus, this type of seat is great for flight sleepers as well, but when you’re flying at night. If it’s daytime and you still want to sleep, book an aisle seat.

Airlines’ Seat Configurations

Depending on the seat configurations, the legroom and space can vary. Many airlines offer premium economy seats. However, the good thing is that these seats come with useful amenities and features.

So, while paying for a seat, check the configurations of the airline so that you can pick the right one.

Aircraft Type

Usually, the larger aircraft come with wider seats and, of course, more legroom. But the smaller ones will come with cramped seating and the same goes for legroom.

So, make sure you’re checking out the aircraft type and also its layout before picking your seat.

Related Post: Best Airlines To Fly To France From The US

Tips for Securing the Best Seat

Pulling off the best seats on a plane in the economy for long-haul flights is no rocket science. All you have to do is simply keep these tips in mind.

When to Book Your Seat

Know when to book the seat. If you’re asking for my suggestion, I’d say at least 24 hours before departure. After all, booking it as early as possible increases the chance of getting a good seat.

If you’re hitting it at the right time, you can possibly get an aisle or window seat with ease. The last time I checked, popular seats often get filled up quickly, thanks to the early booking tendencies of passengers.

Using Airline Seat Maps

In case you’re not familiar with the aircraft’s seating pattern, you can make airline seat maps useful here. I’d suggest trying something like SeatGuru, which can get you detailed seat maps.

An aircraft’s seat map is always oriented forward. So, when you check out the top of the map, it indicates the front of the plane, and the bottom represents the rear.

Also, each seat is shown in a rectangular shape. When you see vertical gaps, they indicate the aisles where passengers move through the aircraft.

On the other hand, horizontal gaps between rows are the indicator of exit rows or bulkheads. Though the seat map might show that the seats are facing forward, don’t be surprised if they’re a bit angled toward the aisle, window, or even backward.

Utilize Frequent Flyer Programs

When you’re a frequent flyer, figure out if the airlines are offering loyalty programs or not. This type of program allows the passenger to enjoy priority seat selection, with better seats available.

And the best part is you need to spend no extra cash on that. However, this type of benefit varies on the basis of membership status.

Check-In Early or Upgrade Options

Early check-in comes with the advantage of selecting good seats and skipping overbooking issues. And yes, the last-minute upgrades too can enhance your travel experience if you can make that useful.

Conclusion

Clearly, the best seats on a plane in economy for long-haul flights are the ones that can get you enough legroom, recline, amenities, and low noise.

But, as always, you need to make sure you’re picking the right type of seat based on your preference. For instance, if you’re a sleep seeker, window or aisle seat, and if you’re a frequent restroom user, the ideal call is to go for aisle seats.

But before making any decision on the seat, surely consider flight duration, seat configuration, and aircraft type. Otherwise, you might get a seat good enough to spoil your comfort. So, pick wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)