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The Sweet Spot for Air Travelers: Seat 7F?

According to a British airline, 7F is generally the first seat to go. But there are perks for fliers who sit in other sections of the plane; what matters most are your needs.

European air travelers know a thing or two about flying on the cheap, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their preferences.

According to a survey by one of the continent’s largest budget airlines, easyJet, most of its passengers would prefer to be seated near the front, in a window seat. In fact, based on the 10,000 people surveyed and an analysis of sales records, a certain seat stood out: 7F.

“Sales reveal the right-hand side of the plane is more popular than the left and rows 6-7 sell out fastest,” an easyJet spokesperson told News.com.au.

The back of the plane was less popular, in part because of the difficulty in exiting the plane after arrival. But it wasn’t the worst spot on the jet, according to the survey. That honor went to seat 19C, which is in the middle of the plane and is pretty much the worst of all worlds: far from the bathroom and far from the exits.

Results of a similar 2013 study from Skyscanner also leaned toward the front but found the other side of the plane—specifically, seat 6A—was the best spot to be.

Not the Only Factor

Despite the studies indicating where people generally want to land inside the plane, personal preferences also come into play when flying, according to the Huffington Post.

For example, the website notes, if you’re looking to be safer in the event of a crash, it’s generally better to be in the back of the plane. (Though, as The Telegraph notes, airplane manufacturers would disagree with that assessment.) Likewise, there’s more room for luggage in the back few rows.

If a quick exit is the goal, it helps to stay near the front left of the plane. Fans of legroom should opt for an exit row, and passengers traveling with kids should try for a seat in the bulkhead row, immediately behind first class.

And if you want to nod off, get a window seat—preferably in the middle rows.

But what if you’re a busy, traveling association executive? Where do you prefer to sit on a plane—or do you even care? Let us know in the comments.

(iStock/Thinkstock)

Ernie Smith

By Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. MORE

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