{"id":445787,"date":"2026-07-12T18:22:26","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T16:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/?p=445787"},"modified":"2026-07-12T18:22:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T16:22:26","slug":"comment-choisir-meilleur-siege-avion-pour-long-courrier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/how-to-choose-the-best-airplane-seat-for-long-haul-flights-445787","title":{"rendered":"How to choose the best seat on a long-haul flight"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Flying for several hours is an adventure\u2026 but also a real test of comfort. The good news is: choosing your seat can transform your flight experience. Whether you dream of sleeping, moving around regularly, or simply traveling peacefully, a few tips can help you find the seat that suits you best.<\/p>\n<h2> Porthole or aisle: it all depends on your habits<\/h2>\n<p> The great debate always begins with this question: porthole or aisle?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> The window seat appeals to travelers who enjoy admiring the scenery, leaning against the wall to sleep, or simply seeking a bit more peace and quiet. However, you&#39;ll need to ask your neighbors to get up if you want to stretch your legs.<\/li>\n<li> The aisle seat is perfect if you like to get up regularly, walk around, or stretch without disturbing the rest of the row. However, you&#39;ll be more likely to be disturbed by other passengers or cabin crew.<\/li>\n<li> As for the middle seats, they often remain the least popular, mainly because they offer less personal space.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2> The most spacious seats: the best deals to know<\/h2>\n<p> If your priority is to gain a few precious centimeters for your legs, some places are worth a look.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> Rows located at emergency exits generally offer more generous space.<\/li>\n<li> Seats installed behind a partition, also called &quot;bulkhead&quot;, also allow for considerable legroom at the front.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> These seats do have some unique features, however. The armrests are sometimes fixed, and carry-on luggage often needs to be stowed in the overhead compartments during takeoff and landing. This is something to consider depending on your travel habits.<\/p>\n<h2> Areas to avoid if you&#39;re looking for peace and quiet<\/h2>\n<p> Not all seats provide the same level of comfort.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> Seats near toilets or galleys are often busier, with regular comings and goings and more noise.<\/li>\n<li> The last rows can also be less pleasant, particularly because some seats recline less or are located near these busy areas.<\/li>\n<li> Conversely, seats located above the wings offer a less unobstructed view, but they are often appreciated by travelers sensitive to turbulence, as this part of the aircraft is generally more stable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2> A word of advice: book now!<\/h2>\n<p> The most sought-after seats disappear quickly. So, as soon as you buy your ticket, or when online check-in opens, remember to select your seat if this option is available. Some airlines charge for the most comfortable seats. On a flight lasting several hours, this extra charge can be worthwhile if you want to travel in optimal comfort.<\/p>\n<h2> Choose according to your needs\u2026 not those of others<\/h2>\n<p> The ideal seat is not the same for everyone.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li> If you hope to sleep for a good part of the journey, a window seat away from the passageways will often be an excellent choice.<\/li>\n<li> If you like to get up regularly or travel with a young child, an aisle seat or a row with a partition may be more practical.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p> Before booking, it can also be helpful to consult the cabin layout of your flight using specialized websites, which list the strengths and minor drawbacks of each seat.<\/p>\n<p>Ultimately, there&#39;s no such thing as a perfect seat, but rather a seat that suits your needs. Some travelers swear by a window seat, while others prefer an aisle. The key is to choose a seat where you&#39;ll feel comfortable throughout the entire journey. Because on a long-haul flight, a few minutes spent selecting the right seat can make all the difference once you&#39;re airborne.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Flying for several hours is an adventure\u2026 but also a real test of comfort. The good news is:...","protected":false},"author":8264,"featured_media":446024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"disable_msn":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[96338],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-445787","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-voyage"],"image":{"medium":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/comment-choisir-meilleur-siege-avion-long-courrier-200x113.jpg",200,113,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/comment-choisir-meilleur-siege-avion-long-courrier-500x281.jpg",500,281,true]},"custom":{"td_video":"","featured_image":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/comment-choisir-meilleur-siege-avion-long-courrier.jpg","author":{"name":"Ana\u00eblle Gayon","avatar":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Agayon-96x96.jpg"},"categories":[{"term_id":96338,"name":"Travel","slug":"voyage","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":96510,"taxonomy":"category","description":"<p>The Travel section of The Body Optimist shares <strong>destination ideas<\/strong> and practical advice for planning your trips, close to home or abroad: preparation, budget, packing, transportation, solo or family travel. We also cover what guidebooks often leave out, like traveling with peace of mind in a fat body, on a plane or at the beach, so everyone can get away and truly relax.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Travel section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Destination ideas<\/strong>: weekend getaways, islands and European cities, like these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/the-breathtaking-spanish-islands-deserve-a-place-on-the-list-428164\">stunning Spanish islands<\/a>, plus off-the-beaten-path spots closer to home.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Traveling solo<\/strong>: choosing a reassuring destination, planning your itinerary and finding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/where-to-travel-alone-as-a-woman-destination-ideas-439512\">safe destinations for women traveling alone<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Budget<\/strong>: traveling off-season, comparing transportation options, choosing where to stay and avoiding baggage fees.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Traveling in a bigger body<\/strong>: comfort on the plane, choosing your seat, seatbelt extenders and clothes suited to long trips.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Planning and packing<\/strong>: travel documents, passport photos, carry-on bags and folding tricks to save space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tourism and society<\/strong>: overtourism, new ways to travel and cultures around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How can you fly comfortably as a plus-size traveler?<\/h2>\n<p>A comfortable flight starts when you book. Check seat width and legroom on the airline\u2019s website or on a seat map, and if possible reserve an aisle seat or a row with extra legroom. Read the airline\u2019s policy for passengers who need more space, sometimes called a \u201ccustomer of size\u201d policy: some airlines let you buy a second seat, occasionally refundable, while others don\u2019t. On board, you can discreetly ask a flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. Wear soft, stretchy clothes without a tight waistband, and get up regularly to stretch your legs. Our tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/how-to-choose-the-best-airplane-seat-for-long-haul-flights-445787\">choosing the best seat on a long-haul flight<\/a> round out this advice.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach<\/h2>\n<p>We talk about travel without clich\u00e9s: no \u201cbeach body\u201d to earn before you go, no destination reserved for one body type or budget. We focus on practical advice, accessible ideas and real-life experiences, and we also tackle the thornier topics, like overtourism and the environmental impact of travel. Our goal: helping you travel the way you want, solo, as a couple, with friends or with family.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Our ideas for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/womens-travel-outfit-style-tips-439251\">comfortable, stylish outfits for flying<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>How to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/womens-travel-suitcase-buying-guide-439532\">choose the right suitcase<\/a> for the way you travel.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/internet-user-shares-a-technique-for-folding-clothes-to-optimize-suitcase-space-438775\">clothes-folding technique<\/a> to make the most of the space in your suitcase.<\/li>\n<li>Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/pregnant-women-and-air-travel-a-complete-guide-439580\">flying while pregnant<\/a>, with practical tips to go over with your health care provider.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Where should you go on your first solo trip?<\/h3>\n<p>For a first solo trip, choose a destination known to be safe, well served by public transportation and where you can easily make yourself understood. A large, walkable city, a region of your own country you\u2019ve never explored, or a stay at a guesthouse or hostel lets you find your footing gently.<\/p>\n<h3>When is the cheapest time to travel?<\/h3>\n<p>Prices generally drop outside school vacations and holiday weekends. The shoulder seasons between peak and off-peak periods (late spring and early fall in the Northern Hemisphere) often strike a good balance between pleasant weather, lower prices and smaller crowds. Being flexible with your dates, comparing trains, buses and flights, and traveling with just a carry-on can also help you save.<\/p>\n<h3>Can you ask for a seatbelt extender on a plane?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Most airlines carry seatbelt extenders on board and lend them on request; you can discreetly ask a flight attendant as soon as you board. For safety reasons, airlines generally require you to use their own approved extender rather than a personal one.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Build a vacation wardrobe that feels like you with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mode\">Fashion<\/a> section, and travel more responsibly with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/green\">Green<\/a> section.<\/p>","parent":0,"count":288,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":96338,"category_count":288,"category_description":"<p>The Travel section of The Body Optimist shares <strong>destination ideas<\/strong> and practical advice for planning your trips, close to home or abroad: preparation, budget, packing, transportation, solo or family travel. We also cover what guidebooks often leave out, like traveling with peace of mind in a fat body, on a plane or at the beach, so everyone can get away and truly relax.<\/p>\n<h2>What you\u2019ll find in the Travel section<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Destination ideas<\/strong>: weekend getaways, islands and European cities, like these <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/the-breathtaking-spanish-islands-deserve-a-place-on-the-list-428164\">stunning Spanish islands<\/a>, plus off-the-beaten-path spots closer to home.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Traveling solo<\/strong>: choosing a reassuring destination, planning your itinerary and finding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/where-to-travel-alone-as-a-woman-destination-ideas-439512\">safe destinations for women traveling alone<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Budget<\/strong>: traveling off-season, comparing transportation options, choosing where to stay and avoiding baggage fees.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Traveling in a bigger body<\/strong>: comfort on the plane, choosing your seat, seatbelt extenders and clothes suited to long trips.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Planning and packing<\/strong>: travel documents, passport photos, carry-on bags and folding tricks to save space.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Tourism and society<\/strong>: overtourism, new ways to travel and cultures around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>How can you fly comfortably as a plus-size traveler?<\/h2>\n<p>A comfortable flight starts when you book. Check seat width and legroom on the airline\u2019s website or on a seat map, and if possible reserve an aisle seat or a row with extra legroom. Read the airline\u2019s policy for passengers who need more space, sometimes called a \u201ccustomer of size\u201d policy: some airlines let you buy a second seat, occasionally refundable, while others don\u2019t. On board, you can discreetly ask a flight attendant for a seatbelt extender. Wear soft, stretchy clothes without a tight waistband, and get up regularly to stretch your legs. Our tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/how-to-choose-the-best-airplane-seat-for-long-haul-flights-445787\">choosing the best seat on a long-haul flight<\/a> round out this advice.<\/p>\n<h2>Our approach<\/h2>\n<p>We talk about travel without clich\u00e9s: no \u201cbeach body\u201d to earn before you go, no destination reserved for one body type or budget. We focus on practical advice, accessible ideas and real-life experiences, and we also tackle the thornier topics, like overtourism and the environmental impact of travel. Our goal: helping you travel the way you want, solo, as a couple, with friends or with family.<\/p>\n<h2>Articles to start with<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Our ideas for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/womens-travel-outfit-style-tips-439251\">comfortable, stylish outfits for flying<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>How to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/womens-travel-suitcase-buying-guide-439532\">choose the right suitcase<\/a> for the way you travel.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/internet-user-shares-a-technique-for-folding-clothes-to-optimize-suitcase-space-438775\">clothes-folding technique<\/a> to make the most of the space in your suitcase.<\/li>\n<li>Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/voyage\/pregnant-women-and-air-travel-a-complete-guide-439580\">flying while pregnant<\/a>, with practical tips to go over with your health care provider.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n<h3>Where should you go on your first solo trip?<\/h3>\n<p>For a first solo trip, choose a destination known to be safe, well served by public transportation and where you can easily make yourself understood. A large, walkable city, a region of your own country you\u2019ve never explored, or a stay at a guesthouse or hostel lets you find your footing gently.<\/p>\n<h3>When is the cheapest time to travel?<\/h3>\n<p>Prices generally drop outside school vacations and holiday weekends. The shoulder seasons between peak and off-peak periods (late spring and early fall in the Northern Hemisphere) often strike a good balance between pleasant weather, lower prices and smaller crowds. Being flexible with your dates, comparing trains, buses and flights, and traveling with just a carry-on can also help you save.<\/p>\n<h3>Can you ask for a seatbelt extender on a plane?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes. Most airlines carry seatbelt extenders on board and lend them on request; you can discreetly ask a flight attendant as soon as you board. For safety reasons, airlines generally require you to use their own approved extender rather than a personal one.<\/p>\n<p>Want to go further? Build a vacation wardrobe that feels like you with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/mode\">Fashion<\/a> section, and travel more responsibly with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/green\">Green<\/a> section.<\/p>","cat_name":"Travel","category_nicename":"voyage","category_parent":0}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445787","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8264"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=445787"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445787\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":446025,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/445787\/revisions\/446025"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/446024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=445787"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=445787"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ma-grande-taille.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=445787"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}