Everyone knows that the middle seat on a plane is *not* the place to be. There is no spot more undesirable. I don’t know of anyone who specifically chooses the middle seat for a flight (although I am sure there is at least one crazy person out there somewhere who does!).
What is up for debate is whether the window seat or aisle seat is better. Now, I understand that this comes down to personal preference in most cases (although you may be more selfish if you like the window), but most days when I fly, I am reminded why I am still firmly on #TeamWindowSeat. It’s the better choice. Dan may be a #TeamAisleSeat convert (SEE: I used to be on #TeamWindowSeat…then this happened), but I’m still entrenched in my window seat ways. Of course sometimes, there is ONE way that you can get the best of both worlds!
Admittedly, at 5’10” and a hair over 150 pounds, I’m not a large guy. Flying for several hours with only 30” of seat pitch doesn’t really phase me. So when my choice is between a little bit of extra legroom or a portal to the beautiful world outside, it’s a no-brainer.
Why the window seat is better
I remember a trip early last year where the world outside my airplane window was extra beautiful. I took off for Reno, Nevada, where I’ll be at a conference for most of a week. The flights consisted of two short hops in a CRJ-200: one from ACV to SFO, and then a second to Reno.
It was a glorious day when we took off from ACV, and the visibility was better than most days I’ve flown into or out of Humboldt. Across the coastal range I could see Mount Shasta in the distance, towering over the snow-capped Trinity Alps.
I was again reminded of how fantastic my pocket of the world is. Seeing Humboldt from 25,000 feet evoked in me a real sense of wonder. Too often I take the great beauty of the northern California coast for granted (SEE: 5 reasons you *must* visit coastal northern California). I’m truly glad I live where I do, even if it makes traveling expensive and/or difficult at times.
How about you? Are you as enthralled with the world from 30,000 feet as I am, or do you prefer the comfort of an aisle seat?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
As a child, I loved the window seat — I’d stare out of my little window hour upon hour . . . of course this was on planes like a Douglas DC-6, a Lockheed L-188 Elektra, or the Boeing 707. As I grew into adulthood, however, I’ve come to prefer the aisle. I’m no giant at 5’11”, 190#, but me and my bad knees do appreciate the extra legroom of an aisle seat, and I’m free to get up and move around without disturbing anyone. Sure there is the occasional moment when I do find myself straining to see what’s outside the window — flying over snow-covered mountains in a clear blue sky, for example — but most of the time the only thing outside the window is blackness, sea, or the tops of clouds . . .
That’s basically exactly how I felt. I’m about your size as well and what tipped the scales for me was when I was hemmed in by 2 giants. At least on the aisle you can “bleed” over into the aisle if you need to 🙂
Certainly with you there. For me, an aisle is absolute torture. Constant bumps from passengers and FAs. (At least the middle seat is somewhat insulated from this, so that would actually be a pro for that.) As one who rarely gets up, it seems that in the unfortunate event that I’m in aisle, the others have to get up frequently. But generally speaking, day or night, I want to look out the window. Whether it’s majestic land formations or seeing a 747 taxiing on the runway, I enjoy it all.
Not only what I echo everything you said and everything Carl said, but I would also add that if I am planning to sleep or nap in economy seating, the window provides a place to lean and not be disturbed.