The Great Seat Debate – Which Would You Choose?

Today we’re talking about the Great Seat Debate, written in collaboration with Thomas Cook Airlines, all views are my own.

As a frequent-ish flyer, and having 6 long haul flights in the last 9 months under my belt, it’s a topic I have thought about many times. Although, mine is a story of two halves. One occurs BC – before children, and one which is my new and current travel experience.

The Great Seat Debate.

The Window Seat.

Now, BC there would be no question as to my seat preference on an aeroplane; Window. Of course! Although this seat does come with certain etiquette responsibilities, such as when to keep the window shade open, to whom the decision actually belongs to etc. The pros of having this cosy little nook all to oneself definitely outweighs any cons assigned to it. Watching the earth from above is mesmerizing, from the cloud formations in the day to the stars close enough to touch at night. I love following along with our journey using the in-flight maps and trying my best to spot mountain ranges or iconic landmarks during the journey.

Then there is the pure joy during a night flight; knowing you can snuggle up into your miniature pillow, eye mask on and window shade down. Sleeping (potentially) safe in the knowledge that no one is going to be asking you to move, just as you’ve managed to get comfy enough to drift off, so that they can get to the toilet. Waking to the comforting smell of the warm breakfast pastries wafting through the cabin, a hot drink offered before raising the window shade to discover a new country below.

Have Your Say In The Debate.

I know I’m not alone in this desire for a particular seat with a whopping 94% of people having a preference and in fact, 61% of those people surveyed by Thomas Cook Airlines would choose a window seat! And of course there’s the opportunity to snap away at some incredible in-flight shots to be shared on social media. Surprisingly (to me at least!) only 9% of travelers are doing this. I love seeing snaps like this when people share them! – If you have one to share use #TCAWindowSeat so I can see them!

Over the past 15 years I have flown around the world many times, taken countless flights, and I know well the elation that is finding out you’re seated next to a window once handed your boarding pass – winning!! However, and here’s where the story changes, then I became a parent. Flying was about to change forever. Or at least for the next decade or so!

The Aisle Seat.

Flying with children (in fact this is a common theme when becoming a parent!) meant that all my preferences and joyful window-seat moments had to be sacrificed. Now there were little people who we wanted to make comfortable and cosy, whilst being educated from above about the wonder of our planet. Even better, if there was a middle seat available between us (which just so happened last week when we flew home from Canada!) allowing us to lay them down and form a bed for them to sleep in ultimate comfort and prevent jet lag setting in too badly, we were all for that. So now I’m an aisle seat kinda gal, and I feel like the last few years of this new location has enlightened me to some key things I’d been totally missing about sitting on the aisle!

There’s the obvious benefit of being able to nip to the loo, knowing you’re not going to have to disturb anyone, or go off for a little stretch and wander around the cabin. But the additional leg room given with the aisle seat is a huge added bonus I must admit I’d not really thought about! Being able to stretch out without having to upgrade to an extra leg room seat is amazing. This also applies to arm room – no more bumping elbows whilst chowing down on your airplane meal or having your glass, ok plastic cup, knocked whilst taking a sip of a well earned red wine. It also allows easy access to the over-head when needing to grab another wipe/toy/book for said child! As well as being in a great location to just grab your bag and go when the flight lands.

So, there you have my take on the great seat debate! In conclusion I would have to say that despite spending two thirds of my life fully committed to window life, I can safely say that for now at least I would choose the aisle seat.

Now, what about you, get involved in the comments below and don’t forget to share your plane selfies using #TCAWindowSeat so I can see too!

XOXO