Brits battle for the hot seats this summer

If you find yourself in a middle seat on a flight this summer, it’s likely you’ll have a 25 year old hogging the window and a 55 year old on the aisle next to you.

According to Cheapflights.co.uk, the UK’s leading flight price comparison site where you can search and compare the best deals on the market, Generations X and Y prefer to fight it out over the window seat, while those aged 45 and over prefer the aisle.

Younger generations are surprisingly open minded about their seating choice, with 31 per cent of 18 to 25 year olds claiming to be ‘not fussed’ about their seat selection.

“As we enter peak summer season, what passengers prefer as their ‘hot seat’ alters with age,” says Francesca Ecsery, General Manager at Cheapflights.co.uk.

“One thing that remains constant is the battle to book your preferred seat and avoid being stuck in the dreaded middle seat.”

A recent poll by Cheapflights.co.uk found 48 per cent of 25-34 year olds prefer a window seat, with just 0.6 per cent choosing the middle as their first preference. Those aged 35-44 are happier to sit in the middle (11 per cent), but the window retains top preference in the age group at 49 per cent.

As travellers get older, there is a distinct shift towards aisle seats, with 33 per cent of 45-54 year olds and 68 per cent of those 55 and older preferring to sit in the aisle. Those aged 45-54 also show strong support for the middle seat (30 per cent), suggesting they are more adaptable when travelling with a partner or families.
“Older travellers have shown a strong preference for aisle seats,” says Ecsery.

“The attractions of the aisle seat are easily understood – there’s no risk of being trapped by snoozing seatmates and having to climb over strangers to take a toilet break mid-flight. The ability to wander around the plane helps avoid DVT and muscle cramps; older people are quite aware of their health when flying and their preference for the aisle seats reflects this.”

Cheapflights.co.uk recommends passengers maximise their in-flight comfort by comparing seat pitches on different carriers and selecting an airline that provides extra legroom.

For a comparison of seat pitch on leading airlines, visit cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/legroom-report/