The Best Seat Isn’t Always by the Window

Photo source: Flickr

For years, the window seat was the obvious choice. You could watch the clouds from the plane, enjoy the scenery on a train, or lean against the side for a quick nap. It felt like the best place to be.

Then one day, somewhere between getting up for the third time to let someone past and trying to squeeze into a cramped aircraft toilet, you start looking at the aisle seat a little differently. It’s a small decision that can make a surprisingly big difference to your trip.

As we get older, comfort often becomes more valuable than the perfect view. On longer flights, being able to stretch your legs, stand up without climbing over someone, or take a short walk down the aisle can make the journey feel much easier. If you have stiff knees, arthritis, or simply like moving around every hour or so, the aisle seat quickly earns its place.

That’s not to say the window seat has lost its appeal. If you’re travelling on a scenic train through the South Island or driving along the coast as a passenger, the views are part of the experience. But when it comes to long-haul flights, many seasoned travellers discover that arriving feeling comfortable is more important than spending twelve hours looking out the window.

If you’re travelling with a partner, there’s another option worth considering. Booking the aisle and window seats in the same row can sometimes leave the middle seat empty on quieter flights. If someone is assigned to it, most people are happy to swap so couples can sit together.

Little choices like these rarely make the travel brochures, yet they’re often the things experienced travellers think about first.

The best seat isn’t the one everyone else recommends. It’s the one that lets you step off the plane, train, or ferry feeling ready to enjoy your holiday instead of needing a day to recover from the journey.