Nobody has logged more air miles than a flight attendant.
They travel to more places in one month alone than most people do in a year, so who’s better to reveal the best seats on a flight than them?
Thanks to their sheer amount of time spent onboard and navigating a plane, onboard staff are the best at clocking the best places to sit.
Whether it’s for the ultimate legroom and comfort, the most convenient seat for the exits or where’s best to avoid that turbulent feeling, they have got all of the top spots covered.
Exit row seats
A number of former flight attendants have listed the exit row window seat, typically seats 21A or 21F, as their ultimate choice. According to one expert, the seat often perfectly lines up in a way so no one can recline into your space while also allowing you to lean against the window without any disturbance.
Miriam Lawson, a former flight attendant based in Atlanta, Georgia, told Yahoo: “The extra legroom is heavenly during long flights, and being on the left side of the plane meant I wasn’t in the direct path of beverage service, which typically starts on the right. It’s quieter, and you can rest more easily with the wall beside you.”
Another ex-Emirates flight attendant explained that they like seats 6A or 6F, which tend to be just behind business class or at the front of economy. Although, they claim a close second choice is the exit row, thanks to its extra legroom to “stretch out” comfortably.
Aside from legroom, what any flyer would love to avoid is experiencing the sinking feeling of turbulence, and according to the flight staff, the exit row seats also come in handy for this. Typically, they are located over the wing, which is supposed to offer a “smoother” ride.
A former flight attendant, now working in aviation operations, Kaz Marzo explains: “The wing provides structural support that helps stabilise turbulence. It’s the smoothest ride you’ll get in economy.”
She further highlights other benefits of sitting in these seats when it comes to practicality. She said: “Exit row seats are a sweet spot: you board in an earlier group, exit quickly, and avoid the crowds near the galley and lavatory.”
What became evident across all of these expert opinions was that flight attendants tend to prefer window seats, as they offer both rest and privacy and also an extra surface to lean on. As for faster boarding and leaving the aircraft, they always suggest seats in the front half of the plane.
If you’re someone who hates experiencing turbulence, of course the exit rows are best, but if you’re looking for convenience, they often suggest avoiding the aisle seat. Not just any aisle, but a seat near the gallery or lavatory is never a go-to for them.