With air travel the choices of flight times, dates, routes, and costs, are often very limited. In these cases, one choice will often be a determining factor regarding another choice. However, with seating you will usually have a fair chance of getting what you want if you book your flight early. Most people have a preference regarding where they sit in the plane. Some like an aisle seat for convenience in getting up and walking around without disturbing others. Others want a window seat for light and to enjoy the awesome view. Still others will choose either the front of the back of the plane, hoping for the smoothest ride. It is possible that you may not get the seat you hope for, but being demanding may make the trip stressful. If you are like some people, you really don't care where you sit, just getting the flight on the way and getting to your destination is all that matters. Often the seat choice is less significant than the one choice that we don't have, who will sit next to us.
I have been asked, "Do you want a window or aisle seat," and I love the window seat on short flights, so that is my answer. I like to watch for UFO's. Well, not really, but I do enjoy watching for the unusual, whatever that might be on any given day. It could be an awesome sunrise or sunset. I might have been blessed to see the Grand Canyon on a clear day, or New York City or Las Vegas, with all the lights on a clear night. If I am on a long flight, give me an aisle seat. I have restless leg syndrome (not diagnosed) and I need to move around often. It is good to have such a choice.
Most people have a valid reasons for any particular choice of seat on a flight. There are health reasons, personal reasons, fun reasons, air sickness reasons, pride reasons, and the list continues. We all have our preferences. I have been on planes that were packed full, and some that were almost empty. I really like the almost empty ones. On one flight there were about ten passengers. The seating choices were unlimited. However, all ten of us sat close to each other and just had a great time eating peanuts and talking about just about anything and everything. On another flight that was about 40% full I was blessed to be able to see and touch a Heisman trophy, and meet Billy Sims. Not only that but I sat next to him on the whole trip. I have to admit I prayed to be able to sit next to him.
It is said that the seats in the rear are the safest. There are quite a few people who choose that section, and it may not be easy to get a seat there. People do like to feel somewhat safe on their flights. I prefer just to know that the pilot was not using some kind of drugs or alcohol before or during the flight. I would love to be in a plane that could glide if the engines stop, nose-dives give me a headache.
It is nice to offer a seat to another passenger if it would be helpful for them. If there is a passenger who really doesn't like the seat he got, or it is medically or physically necessary for him to have an aisle seat, I will gladly give up my seat to make him or her comfortable. Somehow it makes the trip so much better when I have had an opportunity to do a good deed. It is also good to have happy people around me on the plane. If I can help make them happy it is that much better.
Center seats are OK if you don't mind entering into a conversation from time to time along the way. When I fly, I like to study and write, so that is what I do unless someone just wants to talk. I will talk to anyone, if they start the conversation. I am reluctant to try to engage anyone because they might just rather not be bothered. When I study, it is my Bible that I am usually reading and studying. This also seems to be a conversation starter. That is great because I love to talk about God's Word. I refuse to argue about it on the plane though. It really doesn't matter what seat I am in if I am studying. If someone wants to move it is easy enough to trade with them. However, if you do get me to talking, look out! I love to talk, and I have an opinion about just about everything. However, I have learned that on the plane it is better to listen than to talk. I can do that, I think.
So, in summary, seating choices are available to some extent on most flights. People have a variety of reasons for their preferences, and most of them are honorable. Being flexible is helpful with regards to helping others enjoy their flight. It also helps your flight. As you go, be a good neighbor and contribute to making the short-term community you find yourself environed in, a friendly and pleasant place to be.