Selecting the perfect seat can determine whether your long-haul journey becomes a dream or a nightmare. Many travellers instinctively go for the window seat when booking a flight. After all, it promises sweeping views, a cosy corner to lean against, and the satisfaction of not being disturbed by other passengers climbing in and out.
But while it might seem appealing to choose that rear corner window seat for tranquillity, it could actually guarantee your discomfort. Dawn Morwood, Co-Director of Cheap Deals Away, cautioned against this apparently perfect option.
“People often think the last-row window seat will be peaceful, but it’s actually a recipe for a miserable flight,” she revealed, despite appearing like an isolated spot with a lovely view, the final-row window seat is a disaster in waiting.
Dawn’s extensive experience assisting holidaymakers organise their ideal breaks has provided her with considerable knowledge about what succeeds – and what fails – regarding flight comfort.
“The biggest issue is the constant foot traffic,” Dawn noted.
“You’ve got passengers queueing for the loo right beside you, flight attendants rushing back and forth with trolleys, and people stretching their legs in the aisle. It never stops.”
Compounding the disturbance, these seats usually cannot recline owing to a barrier immediately behind them, trapping you in an almost vertical position throughout the entire journey.
“On a 10-hour flight to Asia or an eight-hour journey to the States, that upright position becomes torture for your back and makes proper sleep nearly impossible,” Dawn revealed.
However, it’s not merely about the room.
The zone surrounding the final row is filled with perpetual noise and harsh lighting from the galley, making rest extremely challenging.
The galley area remains brightly lit for the majority of the flight as the crew busily prepare meals and tidy up, meaning even the most effective eye masks can’t shield against the intrusive light.
“The noise level back there is incredible,” Dawn added. “You’ve got the constant hum of equipment, crew chatting during their breaks, and the non-stop flush of toilets. It’s like trying to sleep next to a motorway service station.”
And, to add insult to injury, being close to the lavatories means you’ll have to endure unpleasant odours, particularly on longer flights when more passengers use the facilities for extended periods.