Which Side of the Plane Is Best? Frequent Flyers Share Their Secrets

Take into account these aspects when choosing your seat on an aircraft.

When it comes to flying, most passengers prefer either window or aisle seats, but have you ever considered the benefits of sitting elsewhere? side When choosing your seat on an airplane, you might wonder whether one side offers advantages over the other. Before we start discussing this topic, let’s establish something important: Neither the right nor the left side of the aircraft is inherently safer. Nonetheless, seasoned travelers often have preferences for specific sides due to various factors beyond safety. To help guide your decision, we've asked some experienced flyers about their preferred seating choices—here’s what considerations they recommend keeping in mind when making your selection. choosing your seat on an aircraft .

Potential Views

If you prefer a window seat, you might want to check your potential flight path before picking a side. "I really like the window seat and often try and predict which side will have a better view based on the logical flight path into the airport," says Richard Campbell, founder of travel platform 10Adventures . "I still remember my first international flight almost 25 years ago. I was flying into London Heathrow and sat on the right-hand side of the plane, looking out on the Thames and central London as we circled over the city for our approach into LHR. What a way to start a trip!"

Catherine Heald, an authority on Asian travel and also the co-founder and CEO Remote Lands Moreover, it emphasizes the perspective. "For instance, when traveling from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, to Paro in Bhutan, passengers prefer being on the right side to get the finest views of Mount Everest," she explains.

However, remember that despite all the research you conduct, your flight could still have different ideas. As Campbell explains, "No matter how hard I attempt to secure a window seat with an impressive vista, it’s difficult to guarantee breathtaking views. Flight routes can alter, unexpected weather patterns might emerge, and scenery that appears stunning on a map could end up being less captivating when seen from above." 38,000 feet ."

What's Happening in the Skies?

It’s not just about what’s beneath you." The atmospheric scientist explains, "When I fly a polar route, I make sure to sit on the side of the aircraft that will look northward at local nighttime so I can potentially see the aurora borealis. Matthew Cappucci (Note: Personally, I have witnessed the Northern Lights from airplanes twice by adhering to this guideline.)

However, if your flight takes place during the day, the position of the sun becomes a crucial factor. As quoted by Cappucci, “I prefer not to have sunlight glaring into my eyes, so I usually choose a seat on the opposite side from where the sun is.” He further adds, “Being seated on the sunny side of the aircraft generally makes for a hotter environment inside the cabin as well.”

Sleeping Preference

When you nod off during a flight, do you usually veer right or left? If you happen to be someone who does this, sleep on planes When you finally doze off, you might naturally gravitate towards one particular side. "For me, I always opt for the right-hand side near the window whenever I book an economy seat," shares Dominika Dryjski, who serves as the Chief Operating Officer at TravMedia. She adds, "The view from up high fascinates me; however, what matters most is my tendency to sleep inclined toward the right, particularly during extensive transcontinental journeys." Nonetheless, should you happen to have reclining flat seat in business class , either option works perfectly well.

Related: This Psychologist's Trick for Rapidly Dozing Off on Flights Is Surprisingly Easy

Right-handedness or Left-handedness

This could be less important for leisure travelers, but those planning to get some work done during their flights should think about which hand they use most. As someone who favors my right hand, I like sitting on the left side of the aircraft in a window seat because it allows me better access to my laptop when dealing with necessary tasks,” explains John Lyotier, CEO and co-founder. TravelAI .

Ultimately, when selecting a seat, numerous elements matter far more to travelers than which side of the airplane they're on. According to Andy Palacios, Vice President of Growth and Strategic Partnerships at a travel application, "What I prioritize is getting an aisle seat near the beginning of the cabin and distant from restrooms because doing so minimizes pedestrian movement, reduces noise levels, and avoids unpleasant odors." App in the Air "Alternatively, if it’s a small aircraft with a 1-2 seating arrangement, I would opt for the single-seat option." Of course, an upgrade There is always a valid justification for bending the rules as well.

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