Booking a flight inherently means making a series of important decisions. Which airline is best? What is the best time to fly? Is it worth it to splurge on a premium cabin? But one, seemingly obvious, question goes beyond the window versus aisle debate: which seat should I pick?
It can be an easy step to ignore if you’re flying in economy class, where choosing a seat can feel like a race to the bottom, with each coach seat seemingly more cramped and uncomfortable than the last. In reality, however, all economy seats are not made equal. There are some that are actually far better than others, depending on your travel needs.
Some special economy seats even come with additional legroom or hidden amenities, like those in the exit row or behind the bulkhead. On the other hand, there are areas that some travelers with extra considerations—like health conditions or a fear of flying—might prefer to avoid altogether.
Pro tip: If you’re interested in selecting the best seat for you on your next flight, be sure to avoid a basic economy fare. These restrictive tickets don’t allow passengers to have any say over their seat. Instead, basic economy fliers are automatically assigned a random spot by the gate agent just before boarding.
Rather, you’ll want to purchase a regular economy fare, which allows travelers to select their seat either at the time of purchase or at check-in. However, most airlines today charge seat selection fees for fliers to secure some of the most coveted spots, like extra legroom seats and those in the front of the cabin. These charges can range anywhere from an extra $25 to $100+, depending on the route and the seat.
And if you’re scouring the seat map for your preferred spot and see that it’s taken, that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In recent years, airlines like American and United have begun to roll out new app features that automatically move travelers to their preferred seat if it opens up before boarding. That means that once you find a spot that works for you, you can automatically have the best chance of booking it on all your future flights.
Here’s a look at some of the best seats to choose in the economy cabin, no matter what type of traveler you are.
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This story has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
The best seats for nervous fliers
Many passengers who have a fear of flying struggle with anxiety during mid-air turbulence and when the plane turn shortly after takeoff or before landing. In these cases, a seat in the middle aisle over the wing might feel the most stable, especially during turns.
“There is a keen debate around whether there is actually much difference between the front and rear of the aircraft,” says Paul Tizzard, a fear-of-flying coach with LoveFly. “Some feel it is huge, others say it is marginal. Factually speaking, the point of balance is over the wings or maybe slightly forward. This is considered the ‘best place’ by many.”
If you’re feeling anxious, you might also consider choosing a seat with a view into the galley, where flight attendants are often working. When hitting rough air, it can be comforting to see the cabin crew smiling, talking, and going about their business. You can also let the flight attendants know you’re a nervous flier. They’ll likely come and check on you through the flight or during turbulence to reassure you, in which case an aisle seat might make those interactions easier.
The best seats for parents flying with an infant
If you’re flying with a baby, it could be a good idea to target the first row of seats in the plane cabin, directly behind the wall separating business class or premium economy from coach. It’s also called the bulkhead row, and comes with perks for parents: many airlines offer to attach an infant bassinet to the bulkhead wall for free.
“The bulkhead, which can have a bassinet attached, is an ideal place for parents with infants, allowing hands [to be] free for eating, and if you hit the sleep jackpot, then maybe even time to watch a movie,” says Carrie Bradley, a former flight attendant and editor of the blog Flying With a Baby. The perk is usually available on long-haul flights, but some airlines also offer the bassinets on short-haul routes, too.
There’s only a limited amount of bassinets available per flight, and bulkhead seats usually go quickly because they also offer extra legroom. So be sure to book early to secure your spot. “Some airlines will allow everyone on the same booking to select their seat for free immediately after booking the flight—if flying with an infant,” Bradley says.
If bulkhead seats aren’t available, there are other spots in the cabin to help flying with an infant go smoothly. “Parents can opt to purchase a seat for their infant and bring an airline-approved car seat,” Bradley says. “These normally need to be fitted next to a window.”
Window seats could also be a good idea if you decide to fly with a lap baby, according to Bradely. “Just being able to rest an elbow on the window seat armrest whilst feeding can make you feel more comfortable and avoid being bumped in the aisle,” she says.
The best seats for sleeping on long-haul flights
On some popular long-haul planes, like the Airbus A330, there are rows of just two seats in the main cabin, which would feel a lot less cramped than the row of four seats across in the center of the cabin. Plus, these two-seaters tend to be next to the windows. “Window seats tend to be better for those wanting to sleep,” Bradley says.
Avoid the last row of economy seats on any flight you plan to sleep on. These spots usually don’t recline and are located right in front of the galley and lavatories, making them loud and uncomfortable.
“Other highly desired seats are extra legroom seats by the emergency exit,” Bradley says, noting that airlines usually charge more for these seats. You must also be sure you meet the safety requirements to assist in an emergency.
The best seats for fliers with tight connections
A seat near the front of the cabin would be best for dashing off the plane and getting to your next gate. If this isn’t possible, try for any aisle seat that would let you pop up as soon as the plane is parked and the seatbelt sign turns off.
Sometimes there are only window seats—or dreaded middle seats—available toward the plane’s rear. If that’s the case, flight attendants might be able to pull some strings for you.
“Always let the crew know on board if you have a tight connection,” Bradley says. “If there are not too many people in the same situation, the flight attendants may even bring you further forward to an alternative seat prior to landing.”
However, that’s not a guarantee. So no matter where your seat is, Bradley says to mention your tight connection to your seat neighbors, and be ready to go once the plane is done taxiing.
The best seats for fliers with health concerns
For some travelers, long flights can aggravate certain health conditions. One major concern on an hours-long route can be deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot that can form in a large vein. “Sitting for a long time without getting up and walking around can cause blood to pool in the veins of your legs,” according to the CDC. “This can lead to blood clots.”
Travelers who might be at risk for blood clots, including individuals who are older, pregnant, or have a history of clots, should be strategic about choosing their seat on a long-haul flight.
It’s best to try to avoid a window or middle seat to allow for easier movement. “Select an aisle seat when possible so you can walk around every two to three hours,” the CDC recommends. An aisle seat could also give you more room to momentarily stretch your legs while sitting, too, which is another one of the CDC’s recommendations for avoiding clots.
If you have a health concern outside of potential deep vein thrombosis, an aisle seat is also probably the right choice, as it offers unfettered access to the lavatory, as well as easy assistance from flight crew, should you need it.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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