Aside from online resources, travelers can follow some basic rules to find the best seat on a plane as conditions change. There are some good resources on the net, most notably SeatGuru, but if you don’t have the time to check it, or get bumped from your flight, follow these tips to become your own seat guru.

Some of these suggestions may not make sense in your particular situation, and everyone has their personal preferences. Many times though, we’re asked what seat we want without considering some of these factors.

• Sit As Far In Front As You Can In Smaller Planes and Shorter Flights – On smaller “shuttle” flights sitting in the front means you can on and off the plane faster. On a larger plane, sitting in the front doesn’t make as much of a difference as the procedures to get the cabin door take longer. You’ll also have more room and likely a single row seat, not to mention you can give the flight attendant your carry on and have them store it in their personal closet.
• Sit In Near The Bathrooms On Jumbo Jets – Yes, peeing will be easier, but this is where the flight attendants also keep all of the water, juice, and snacks. Also, you can sit in the door seat if your wife the passenger you’re sitting next to is annoying.
• Losing Time? Cozy Up Next To The Window – If you’ll be flying over several time zones and losing house (going east), then choose a window seat. Your body’s natural rhythm will have you tired and ready to sleep, and next to the window you’ll have somewhere to prop up your pillow.
  • Going west? Choose an aisle seat since you’re circadian rhythms will likely have your digestive system in action, causing you to pee/poop more.

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