Joey Hadden/Business Insider
- A recent survey indicates that a significant majority of airline passengers choose aisle seats over windows.
- I hold a different viewpoint. While window seats boast scenic vistas, aisle spots give me the liberty to move around more frequently.
- This ability to move during the flight helps in making my travel time feel shorter.
“Would you prefer a window seat?”
This question was directed towards me by another traveler on a recent journey. It became apparent that a group had booked two rows adjacent to each other, with my aisle seat interspersed between them.
The way the passenger phrased their question implied they were offering me something desirable.
I politely declined: “No, I would rather have the aisle.”
In earlier days, I would have eagerly switched for the opportunity to sit by the window. Many people I know actively seek out these coveted spots when booking their flights.
A survey conducted by Upgraded Points in August revealed that 66.6% of 3,100 US air travelers expressed a preference for window seating.
While I see merit in this perspective, it is not one I share.
Since childhood, I have appreciated watching landscapes unfold from above during takeoff and landing. Sitting beside the window provides an ideal space to rest my head—a convenience absent from middle or aisle accommodations.
However, after years of regular travel as Business Insider’s travel correspondent—averaging several flights per month—my preferences have shifted considerably.
Why Choosing an Aisle Seat Over a Window Make Sense
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
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The more miles I accumulate in planes as an adult, the more acutely aware I’ve become of how difficult it can be for me to remain sedentary within confined quarters for extended durations.
I value having freedom—the freedom to stand up and stretch at will without inconveniencing fellow travelers. On average flights where I’m situated in an aisle seat, I find myself getting up every hour or so to stroll through the cabin.
After these brief walks around the aircraft, returning to my chair feels refreshing and revitalizing I’ve noticed that regular movement can significantly alleviate monotony while traveling.
There’s also health rationale behind this choice; previous reports from BI indicate leg stretching is crucial on lengthy flights due to risks such as deep vein thrombosis—a condition marked by blood clots forming from prolonged immobility.
When seated next to windows previously restricting my movements—I often refrained from rising due not wanting disrupt neighboring passengers—a few times relying too long before finally using restrooms simply because it seemed considerate toward those seated beside me.
These days when fellow passengers request that I’d stand up so they can slip past—it doesn’t bother me at all! Embracing this new seating preference works perfectly for someone like myself who values movement over inactivity—and welcomes being mildly disturbed rather than causing inconvenience.
