Best airline seats for a view?

[flowergurl]

I'm still working on pricing airline tickets for my daughter's wedding in Kauai in June. As I've said in another post, I haven't bought an airline ticket for over 30 years.

I want to have all of my 'ducks in a row' and be ready to jump when/if I see a good price on the tickets.

The three ladies on the trip (daughter, her future mother-in-law and myself) all want a window seat.

I started looking at some seating charts for the possible jets we'll be on which brought up the question:

Which economy window seats are the best for a view out? Front of plane, back? If a seat is over the wing, do you still have a view?

Thanks,
Diane

 

[DaveNV]

Generally, forward of the wings is quieter, a smoother ride, and a faster exit. The view (obviously) is depending on which side of the plane the view is on. If the plane banks to approach landing, all the other side sees is sky. So it depends on where you're flying, and what the usual approach is. That may be determined by the wind direction and such. If your destination is Hawaii, you'll be seeing a lot of ocean (or clouds) for a long time, then a bit of island view on final approach. Not that much to see.

If you're all three traveling together, I'd say sit in the same row together. Your conversation during the trip will be more enjoyable than the little bit of last-minute view you may have.

Dave

 

[gsd]

Best Airline Seats

You can also check on http://seatexpert.com and www.seatguru.com to find out if the seat you're interested in selecting has limited recline, reduced legroom, misaligned windows, too much air blowing on you, etc.

Gail

 

[flowergurl]

Thank you, Dave and Gail, for the great help!

 

[javabean]

The flight to Kaui is a very long one. Sitting three in a row certainly has advantages but if any in the group has difficulty sitting for long periods of time you might want to consider aisle seats such as two sitting together and the third across the aisle which would give two of you aisle seats. The person who can fall asleep easily should sit closest to a window so others can get up and wander without disturbing the sleeper. Enjoy your adventure. Kauai is beautiful.

 

[winger]

I believe the Kauai Revealed book mentions which side generally has a bettye chance of a view when flying in from the mainland. It's packed but maybe worth looking into if the arrival view is still important to you. The book is really well written.

 

[amyhwang]

I agree with the PP - you're not going to see anything worthwhile out of the window until approaching Hawaii! I know - lived on Oahu and go back over other year.

I personally use credit cards that give us miles - so we never pay for a ticket and almost always get first class now (if you can spring for first, or what they call business class, the main benefit is that with some planes on Delta and American they have lie flat seats). The comfort is much better, and the flight home is almost always overnight. I'd check out seatguru as well before booking.

Hawaiian is adding service to the East Coast too - and they are supposed to be a very nice airline!

Are you starting in Detroit? I think that's a Delta hub if I'm not mistaken, so you can try to find the 767 300 plane - but if you get business it's 2 to a row. Still I'd see if you can swing that! Otherwise, I agree, I'd all sit in one row - you'll have a much better time sitting all together.