Picking a good seat can make all the difference between an OK and a terrible flight. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Not all aeroplane seats are made equal – and we’re not just talking about preferences between aisle, middle, or window. There’s another layer to the equation that may not have a significant impact on short domestic flights, but can make the difference between arriving exhausted or refreshed on long-haul journeys.
Some seats purport to be window seats but really only offer up views of a blank wall. Others don’t recline, have reduced width, or are located in high-traffic areas like close to toilets or galleys. And in the age of airline upsells, you’ll likely know that to score extra legroom, you’ll need to pay a premium.
There was a time when random anomalies, like economy seats without another in front of them due to a tapering fuselage or a sneaky exit row with a few extra centimetres of precious legroom, went uncharged by airlines. Today, all have worked hard to crack down on getting anything for nothing – and most will charge even for these cabin anomalies right up until check-in. But there are still a few ways to ensure that, at the very least, you don’t end up with the worst seat on the plane.
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