by April J.

Created on: October 06, 2008   Last Updated: November 12, 2009

There is a famous saying about vacations that would have us believe that "getting there is half the fun". Of course, this is much more likely to be true if you've scored yourself a great seat on the airplane ride. This article will describe how to choose the best airplane seat for yourself ahead of time, based on your wants, needs and goals. Read on, and you'll be ready to choose your ideal seat the next time you "take to the skies".

Last One In Is The First One Out!

Are you the type of person who can't wait to get off the plane as soon as its wheels hit the ground? Does it take you every ounce of willpower just to keep your seatbelt on until the seatbelt light has finally been extinguished (why DO they leave it on so long once the plane stopped moving minutes ago?!) Are you in the washroom frantically changing into your Hawaiian shirt and beach shorts the moment the pilot announces the final descent...?

If this is you, you belong at the front of the plane. Why? We all know how long it takes those "other people" to gather themselves together, come to their senses, wake up and figure out where they are, gather together their magazines, carry-ons, kids, and various other items, then mill in the aisle for awhile instead of bolting out the door like they should... You don't have time for that! You're a "Type A" personality, and you don't have a spare second to waste of your vacation, waiting for people to lurk in airplane aisles!

If this describes you (and I totally sympathize if it does as it describes me as well) then what you need is a clear path to get off the plane as soon as that giant door is opened and that wheel-up-pathway or staircase has been properly connected. Where can you get this clear path? Usually it can only be had at the front of the plane (and sometimes at the back in countries where the wheel-up stairs are available, but I don't advise taking a gamble on that or you could end up waiting until EVERYBODY else is off the plane....).

The Greatest Seat Of All

In the heirarchy of airplane seats, everyone knows there is one that stands head-and-shoulders above the rest, and that (cue the choir music and lights) is the Window Seat. Everybody wants the window seat, especially if you'll be flying over some city lights at night or some interesting terrain or ocean, but even just to stare at the wing, cause let's face it - that's pretty cool too.

Often, you can request a window seat when you book your flight, and I would highly recommend this, especially

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