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What Kind of Flier Are You: Window or Aisle?

March 30, 2009 at 4:06 PM | by | Comments (35)

"The Window or The Aisle?"

It's an age-old question, seemingly as old as "Smoking or Non?", "Paper or Plastic?", or "Hash Browns or Fruit?" Before the recession curbed airline travel, many of us had to take what we could get--whether that be the "viewlicious" window seat, the "easy out" aisle seat or the "dammit" middle seat. But if there are supposedly less full flights out there, this means we may actually get what we want when it comes to seat preference.

While Julia "Almost Gulia" was relegated to sitting on the aisle in "The Wedding Singer" because her meatball fiancee didn't want his elbows to get bumped by the cart coming through, we love the aisle. Why? Easy bathroom access, obviously. Also, easy on and off. And if we're feeling rebellious, we get to stretch out our legs in the aisle. Shhh...don't tell the flight attendant.

But other people love the window. Little kids like it because they get to look out. Ambien poppers love it because they can pass out next to the window unmolested by someone who has to pee frequently. And those strange people who love to travel with all sorts of travel pillows find the window seat gives them another wall of support.

So, we're curious as to which seat you will be assigning yourself at online check-in--aside from the obvious fact that it's not the dreaded middle seat. Tell us what team you're on--Window or Aisle--in comments below.

Related Stories:
· How Do You Survive Long Flights? [Jaunted]
· Five Unspoken Rules Of Seatmate Etiquette [Jaunted]

Comments (35)

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Def an Aisle Guy

Esp. with seats getting smaller (and people getting bigger), it can be suffocating to get stuck behind a reclined person and have nowhere to stretch out that cramped arm or leg...I usually try for an aisle that's next to a window, so I can usually still see the best things out the window, anyway.
BS on March 30, 2009 at 4:17 PM #Permalink

Aisle Guy

I like the freedom of the aisle. I've never really been claustrophobic, but being crushed into the the seat by the window with the ceiling curving down towards me isn't appealing anymore.
Jeff Burke on March 30, 2009 at 4:31 PM #Permalink

Aisle lady

Even if I don't actually get up during the flight, it's nice to know I have the option. Last time I willingly booked a window, on a red-eye from CA to NYC, I was hoping to lean on it to sleep -- but couldn't get a second of shut-eye to save my life. Since Mr. Cowboy Boots next to me passed out on takeoff, I was stuck watching 6 hours of "My Life on the D-List." Never. again.
egw on March 30, 2009 at 4:36 PM #Permalink

trapped

i just booked my flight to seattle and my husband nabbed the aisle seat. i had the choice to go find my own or fulfill a wifely duty and sit in the middle next to him. i chose the latter and i now regret it. i might switch it up secretly.
juliana on March 30, 2009 at 4:44 PM #Permalink

Aisle if no Exit

So I'm 6'4" and I like to stretch out. I have gold status on American which snags me the exit row usually. In that case, I take the window as I have the legroom and the view. In cases where I don't get the exit, I'll take the aisle all the time as I need to be able to put at least one of my legs in a normal position.
GRCAMPBELL on March 30, 2009 at 4:49 PM #Permalink

depends on flight

Totally depends on the route for me. New York to Detroit? Aisle, please. New York to St. Maarten? Window window window! Can't miss that amazing landing. Still, I don't feel super strongly either way; I'm all for getting there in one piece.
JetSetCD on March 30, 2009 at 5:09 PM #Permalink

Aisle on long trips, window on domestic

If I know I won't be getting out of the seat then I'll take the window. But for anything over a few hours I want to be able to move around without having to squeeze through the seats every time.
Omri on March 30, 2009 at 5:38 PM #Permalink

A bit of both

Aisle when it's a night flight and I just want to sleep and window if it's a day flight. I'm always fascinated by the view of the world from above. I usually choose a window seat though.
Keith Jenkins on March 30, 2009 at 6:21 PM #Permalink

WINDOW!!

Definitely a window seat lover. I can nap and look for landmarks below. Also, when I sit in the aisle I am paranoid that people are watching what I'm doing on my computer, or reading my magazine over my shoulder...weird, I know.
Christi Day on March 31, 2009 at 9:55 AM #Permalink

Move over! I need that window seat dammit!

I must have a window seat or else I am just not happy with my flight. Yes I am a weirdo, but I have become so used to flying with my view that if I am stuck by the aisle I feel misplaced. I only flew once in the middle seat and will never do that again!
brooklynnomad on March 31, 2009 at 10:16 AM #Permalink

It doesn't seem to matter anymore

Honestly, I used to demand the window if I could get it. There were times where I'd ask the person I was sitting next to if they'd switch. Well, honestly, I've flown so many times that It really doesn't matter to me anymore. Window or seat it doesn't matter. Both can be beneficial in their own ways. I'm just always happy to fly.
cfritchle on March 31, 2009 at 10:28 AM #Permalink

Back Row, Every Time

Red-eye Flights: Window. Don't wake me because you have a weak bladder. All other Flights: Indifferent. In any circumstance, however, I'm more concerned with the row than the seat position. I make it my every point to grab a seat in the very last row of every flight I'm on, and have proven to be 100% successful in almost 20 trans-continental flights over the past year.
Phil Russell on March 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM #Permalink

Aisle gal

I prefer the aisle. I'm short, so tall people get annoyed at me for taking it. But hey, at least since I'm small I'm easy to step over too!
Heather Dube on March 31, 2009 at 10:55 AM #Permalink

WINDOW HELL YEA

lol, i love the window seat, yes i no theres crap about getting out lol but idc i love the views, specially when taking off and landing its raw =) look at Vegas when ur taking off at night omg its gorgeous lol
Bev217 on March 31, 2009 at 10:58 AM #Permalink

One window seat please!

Usually on a redeye I will want the window seat so I can lean and sleep and listen top my iPod. Since SWA does not do redeye's then I like the aisle or the middle seat. Most of the time I travel with my hubby, mom, or dad. Then I can have a conversation with all of them without shouting, we all know how annoying that can be!
Cindy Parker Scundi on March 31, 2009 at 11:18 AM #Permalink

I want the aisle

If the flight is less than 3 hours - and most @SouthwestAir flights are - gimme the aisle. I hate be cornered.
John Hancock on March 31, 2009 at 11:23 AM #Permalink

window here

I love views even though I'm afraid of "unprotected heights" :). However, being next to the window leaves you with responsibility of keeping the shade open or closed because some people don't like sunlight. Then like you said, you don't want to bother someone with the "bathroom" excuse. Although the window could get you in trouble like in theat Twilight Zone episode haha.
ecortes on March 31, 2009 at 11:26 AM #Permalink

Club Window

I'm a window guy basically because I don't want to get up just because you had 4 beers at the airport bar before we left.

Oh, and I like looking out it too.

kjb on March 31, 2009 at 11:35 AM #Permalink

why the back row?

i'm aisle all the way - tall and claustrophobic - but normally think the further you are ahead, the higher you are up the passport queue. am i missing something in the back row?
juliab on March 31, 2009 at 12:53 PM #Permalink
Parent

Aisle!

Its all about control, just like Janet says. If i'm in an aisle seat (like i am right now on Virgin Atlantic JFK-SFO), i don't have to bother anyone if i want to get up. I also like to stand up and walk a lot during the flight to stretch my legs.
Ted Nadeau on March 31, 2009 at 12:59 PM #Permalink

Window

Sometimes I regret it and wish for the aisle especially if its a larger person because then I'm all claustrophobic for entire flight!
Tiffany Stewart Higgins on March 31, 2009 at 2:22 PM #Permalink

WINDOW!!!

I get closterphobic if I'm not by the window for some reason.
Michelle Rael on March 31, 2009 at 3:36 PM #Permalink

@Ted Nadeau

are you commenting on Jaunted in-flight? that's kind of hott.
juliana on March 31, 2009 at 4:14 PM #Permalink
Parent

Sky View, Please

Always a window, in the first 8-10 rows, depending on the aircraft. its alway a better view, more secure for me and my notebook, and I can lean far away from the slouch I often find next to me.
Tim Hayden on March 31, 2009 at 6:18 PM #Permalink

no spilling please...

window - for sure then I don't have some rude person trying to pass thier drink over my laptop, or elbowing me into the flight attendant in the aisle.
Melissa Case Dupee on March 31, 2009 at 6:25 PM #Permalink

window

only because i am little. i have perfected the art of using the armrest to step over the middle and aisle people, even if they are sleeping. myself, i hate when my seat buddy needs me to stand, but what are you going to do?
izzy on March 31, 2009 at 6:38 PM #Permalink

Window window window

I can look out and ignore everything else going on... so peaceful in the air...
Teri Payne on March 31, 2009 at 8:35 PM #Permalink

aisle!

I like to have some Room vor my self.
dagobert on April 14, 2009 at 6:54 AM #Permalink

Window

SW (and others) don't have enough room under the aisle seat for a laptop bag and my legs. Also, the scenery is worth it, even on a weekly flight over Central Illinois/Iowa
Tim Roudebush on April 21, 2009 at 10:52 PM #Permalink

Aisle for the Leg Room

Title says it all.. Rebelliously stretching your leg over to the walkway rocks~!
Nikolas Tjhin on April 25, 2009 at 11:16 PM #Permalink

Window Usually, But It's Kind of Old Now

More than anything else, I'd really like the airlines to go back to blocking the middle seat for frequent travelers. When it's a three abreast seating, I don't care as long as the center seat is open. On two abreast, I'll take the window if the aisle passenger moves their ass when it's time to deplane.
Karl Jones on April 27, 2009 at 3:28 PM #Permalink

Usually window

It depends. If I usually prefer window seats because I got to look out. My legs are short (30 in) so I don't need too much leg room, and I don't need to move too much during flight, so windows seats are perfectly comfortable for me. But if I am traveling in business and I am in hurry, I chose aisle seats so I can get out of airplane sooner. Aisle seats are better if I need to work on something on my computer, too.
daiqn on April 29, 2009 at 6:29 AM #Permalink

Window always

I love looking out in the air and on the ground. I prefer natural daylight for my reading. And since I'm not one of those yahoos who stands up once we reach the gate, I can relax until it's time to deplane. (Seriously: Standing won't get you out any faster if you're more than four rows from the door ... just be patient!)
Al B on April 30, 2009 at 6:08 PM #Permalink

window

i hop all the a/craft become windows side ofcource most of the passengar kile to use window side for the good vew & relacksind i am one of them
aljaser44 on May 13, 2009 at 8:09 PM #Permalink

Window, primarily

I just love looking out the window, hate being smacked upside the head by those who are too self important to check a bag, and don't have a need to get up usually...
OreoCookie on August 11, 2009 at 7:52 PM #Permalink

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