How to choose the best seat in economy class for booking on a long-haul flight: useful tips

The longer the flight, the more important it is to be strategic when choosing seats on the plane, especially if you don't have the financial means to pay for a business-class ticket.

So, which economy class seat is better for a long-haul flight? While the answer may vary from airplane to airplane, there are some best practices to keep in mind. Some of them may seem contradictory, but the key is to prioritize these factors for yourself. Travel experts have outlined the main points, according to the Huffington Post.

Maximize legroom

"First, you'll want to maimize your personal space, which could mean spending money on a seat with extra legroom or strategically choosing a seat with a unique configuration," said Zach Griff, senior reporter for The Points Guy.

Even a little extra room to stretch your legs can make a huge difference on a long-haul flight.

"I would absolutely avoid the last row or the seats in front of the gate," Griff added. "Those seats don't recline much, so be careful before you choose them."

In addition, consider such things as backpacks and bags under your feet. It is better to avoid placing them there by packing your luggage properly.

Increase your chances of sitting in an empty middle seat

"I do my best to get an aisle seat next to an empty middle seat or a window seat next to an empty middle seat," said travel expert and author of La Carmina. "If there is an empty middle seat next to me, I can stretch out and sleep better."

The expert said that every time he chooses a seat on an airplane, he increases his chances by looking for rows of three people who already have a window seat, and then chooses an empty seat near the aisle.

Watch out for empty rows

Experts advise you to politely ask the boarding agents if there are any empty seats on the plane. As a last resort, you can look around the cabin yourself and look for empty seats, and then sit down after takeoff.

Assess your proximity to the toilet and galley

Try to choose a seat at least four to five rows away from these high-traffic areas to make your trip more relaxing.

"There's going to be a lot of noise from the galley, which is the 'kitchen' of the plane, there's going to be foot traffic and unpleasant sounds and smells from the bathroom," said Collette Stoler, a travel agent with Elite Travel Arrangements and director of marketing at Roamaroo.

Avoid seats with partitions

The first row of the cabin may seem like an attractive option, but there are a few things to keep in mind before choosing one of those seats with a divider. As per the previous point, you may be close to a noisy galley. There are other potential disadvantages, such as improperly positioned TV screens, fixed armrests, and no storage space under the seat.

The back of the plane is not necessarily the worst

"You'll need to decide whether you prefer to be seated in the front of the plane or in the back," Griff said. "Contrary to popular belief, sitting in the back of an airplane is actually not that bad."

Again, the front of the plane tends to fill up faster than the back, so you may have fewer people in the back.

Check for unique layouts

"I always recommend checking the SeatGuru website ahead of time to find the best seats on your particular plane," said one expert.

Indeed, not all airplane layouts are the same, so configuration may be another reason to pay attention to the back.

Don't forget about other location factors

"Some passengers seem to choose the middle section near the wings, where they are less likely to experience turbulence, while others want to be up front to make it easier to get off the plane, reduce engine noise, or even get a better food selection," said Laura Lindsay, travel trends and destinations expert at Skyscanner.

She drew attention to a Skyscanner survey of more than 1,000 regular airline passengers, which found that the most sought-after seat on a standard airplane was 6A, the window seat near the front. The "worst" seat was 31E, the middle seat at the back of the plane.

Choose for yourself - window or aisle

"Once you've chosen the row you want, you can choose an aisle or window seat," Griff said. "The former is great for those who like to stand when they need to, while the latter is great for taking in the views and being able to lean back on the fuselage and relax."

Research the type of airplane

If there are several good flight options for your trip, take a look at the different aircraft offerings. You may find more comfortable options on newer aircraft.

Features may vary, but airline websites and third-party resources can provide information on different types of aircraft and carriers.

Book in advance

Booking with a co-branded credit card may also come with coupons for your preferred seat or fast-track upgrades to airline status, leading to a free seat category upgrade with more legroom.

If you are unable to choose a seat when booking, try checking in early.