Long flights are always associated with rushing, long waits at the airport, and discomfort. Obviously, nobody wants to hop on a 12-hour-long transatlantic flight and constantly be bothered by the toilet doors opening and closing, the engine noise, and the chit-chat of the flight attendants.
However, premium online travel agency Dollar Flight Club recently discovered that some plane seats are noisier than others. Of course, the noisiest seats are those closest to the galleys and toilets. It is also good to know where to sit on wide-body and narrow-body aircraft.
For example, on wide-body aircraft, the noisy seats would be in the first few rows of first class, near the cockpit, the middle galley, and the aft galley. Similarly, on narrow-body aircraft, the noisiest seats would be near the cockpit and in the back, where the toilets and galleys are located. Moreover, usually the rear section of an airplane is the location with the most noise. Besides the people walking back and forth to the bathroom, there’s also the flight attendants’ activity. It can also feel louder there because of the distance from the wings and the flexing of the plane’s structure.
While these places are worth avoiding, there are also seats that are worth aiming for as they are quieter and more peaceful. Overall, all seats in front of the wing of any aircraft are quieter. The loudest spots are right behind the wing, where the engine is located, so sitting in the front or in the middle would make any journey a bit more relaxing. Additionally, when flying on a larger plane even choosing a seat on the right or the left could make a difference, with the side that faces away from the engines being ever so slightly quieter.
The difference between aisle and window seats is also not big. While aisle seaters experience less engine noise, they are likely to face more foot traffic and the other way around. However, prioritizing personal needs always comes first. While for sone reduced noise levels may be of utmost importance, for others leg room could be something that is a must.
To ensure more comfort during long flights, passengers may pack noise-cancelling headphones or bring earplugs. Even not listening to anything, the headphones will numb down the roaring of the engines and provide some noise reduction. Packing a sleep mask could also be essential as it will reduce distractions. It may come as a surprise, but the light of somebody else’s screen can have a significant impact on sleeping.
