Long haul 12 hour flight travelling alone. Aisle or window seat? Which do you prefer and why?

Answer 1

In a window seat you won't be disturbed at all by other passengers, but if you need a pee you will disturb whoever is in the aisle seat.

In an aisle seat you can nip to the loo without disturbing anyone - handy when the lights are off and all are sleeping. But you will be disturbed if the window seat passenger wants to get out!

How strong is your bladder? if you can go a long time without a visit then I would go for the window seat and take a mild sleeping pill. If you have to go to the loo a lot to pee (or whatever) then probably the aisle seat is best.

Remember if you are flying coach (economy) then the configuration will be something like 3:4:3. So in an aisle seat on the window side there will be two people inside you, not one. Lots of folks take the window seat and go comatose and just let it all happen around them!

Answer 2

For a 12 hour flight, it'll probably be a big plane with a middle section with 3 or 4 seats to a row. I like the aisle from the middle section because there's a better chance the middle seat there is empty if the plane's not full, and if there is someone in the middle, he can go out the other side.

Answer 3

Definately aisle. You can get up and walk about loads and not disturb anyone, plus you won't have to worry too much about elbows from the person next to you and can stretch out much more. What would you do if you were in the window seat and the other two people fell asleep?

I would be really bored on my own as well so I would want to get up constantly. I know window is great and you get to see stuff but dependant on where you are going it might just be the ocean you see.

Answer 4

I have done the London/Auckland flight 4 times and have always prefered the window, that ay I can sleep undisturbed.. It would be different though if you needed to move or use the bathroom often. Bear in mind you may have a wide body configuration which is 3-5-3 and could get stuck in the middle, so try and get your seat assignment for the side as soon as you can.
Happy travels.

Answer 5

well depends, if your the only person in the aisle then you can stretch out, if the row is full the aisle seat is best as people have stated you can get up and move around more easily. i did both of the above, on my flight from LAX to New Zealand i had a row to myself, from NZ to Hong Kong i had an aisle seat as the row was full. i was comfortable both times (both flights were atleast 12 hours)

Answer 6

Window seat if you are going to sleep, as no-one will disturb you trying to climb over. Aisle seat if you plan to stay awake and want to move around every so often, as you can get up and down without disturbing anyone. Either way, total and complete boredom unless the film choice is OK.

Answer 7

On a long flight, i would prefer the aisle seat because it would be easier for me to get up and stretch. I wouldnt have to bother somebody to let me out when i want to stretch or use the restroom.

Answer 8

Given that I an shall we say "robust" I prefer to put up with the slight inconvenience of an aisle seat not least because it is easier to go to the loo etc and I can get slightly more room. for this I will accept the odd knock from passing fellow passengers and cabin staff

Answer 9

Aisle seat because you won't have to climb over people to go to the bathroom. But I really do love the window seat. It's fun to see what you are flying over.

Answer 10

Aisle seat, as it horrible to have to keep disturbing people to get out when you need to stretch your legs and go for a pee. I hate sitting still for five minutes let alone 12 hours.