Best Seat on a Plane by Aircraft Type (A320, B737, B787) for Legroom and Quiet

TL;DR

• For the quietest seat on most A320s and 737s, start forward of the wing and away from lavatories/galleys. (simpleflying.com)
• For the best legroom, seek out exit rows and bulkheads—but do check restrictions and tradeoffs (storage, recline, fixed armrests). (law.cornell.edu)
• On the 787, look for front of economy bulkhead or an extra-legroom/exit-adjacent seat that isn’t next to a galley/lav cluster for your best shot at “quiet + legroom.” (boeing.com)
• Don’t rely too heavily on aircraft-type generalizations—airlines frequently have several configurations of the same model. Check your specific configuration with the airline seat map and a LOPA-based map (like AeroLOPA). (nerdwallet.com)

There’s no one best seat on a plane, not even within the same aircraft type (A320 vs. A320neo, 737-800 vs 737 MAX 8, 787-8 vs 787-9). Instead, apply a reliable set of seat-zone rules (tracking noise and foot traffic) and check your real row before you lock in your seat selection.

Why Cabin “Noise” is Cabin “Noise” (and Why Aircraft Type Matters Less Than You Think)

On most A320s and 737s, the two biggest contributors to perceived noise are (1) proximity to the engines (so near or just behind the wing), and (2) “human noise” from passengers, lavatories, and galleys. Generally, seats forward of the wing are quieter on aircraft with wing-mounted engines. (simpleflying.com)

On widebodies like the 787, there are more door zones, lavatories, and mid-cabin service areas, so the quietest spot is usually not near a high-traffic node (doors + galleys + lavs), even if it’s not the very front row.

Legroom 101: Seat Types That Win (and Hidden Losses)

Legroom is one of the most notable differences a good seat choice can make. Here’s a list of common legroom “upgrade” seats and what to watch out for:

• Exit row: Extra space to the seat in front. You must meet exit-row requirements; no under-seat storage at many airlines; fixed armrests; sometimes limited recline in adjacent rows. Best for tall travelers who can follow instructions and don’t need under-seat storage.
• Bulkhead (front of a cabin section): No seat directly in front. Often near galley/crew area; bassinets may be mounted here; all carry-ons must go overhead for takeoff/landing. Best for legroom-focused travelers who can tolerate some activity.
• Airline branded “Extra Legroom” rows: Airline sells these as a product. Not always the best value, may be near lavs/doors, may have fixed armrests. Convenient purchase but not always a perfect seat.
• Front-of-economy (not bulkhead): Sometimes better pitch, faster deplaning, less “head-of-cattle” in aisle. Can be near forward lav/galley on some layouts. A quieter, simpler choice for those not wanting exit-row rules.

How to Verify the Best Seat on Your Exact Flight

1. Confirm the aircraft variant, not just the family name (e.g., “737 MAX 8” vs “737-800;”) as this affects where doors and cabin breaks are.
2. Pull up the airline’s seat selection screen and examine the locations of doors, lavatories, galleys, and “Extra Legroom” rows.
3. Compare with a LOPA-style map (Layout of Passenger Accommodations). AeroLOPA digitizes these and can reveal hidden issues like a missing window or odd lavatory positions. (nerdwallet.com)
4. Zoom in on your candidate seat and check for possible deal-breakers: lav/galley nearby, special seat shapes, or restrictions (no under-seat storage, etc.).
5. Re-check your map 24–48 hours prior to departure: aircraft swaps are common and your “perfect” seat could become only passable in a different configuration.

Airbus A320: Best Seats for Legroom + Quiet

Airbus A320 family—single aisle, typically 3–3 layout. Airlines often customize interiors, so always check specifics.

• Best for legroom:
  – Overwing exit rows are usually best for pure legroom. Always check for fixed armrests and rules about storage/recline.
  – Cabin-divider bulkhead: Decent legroom; double-check for bassinet icons and galley proximity.
  – Airline extra-legroom rows not at exits: Good choice if you don’t want exit-row responsibility, but value will vary.
• Best for quiet:
  • Forward-of-wing economy seats away from front galley/lav (often the “quiet enough” section). (simpleflying.com)
  • In highly noise-sensitive cases, avoid rows near or just behind engines/wing area.
• Best compromise seat (“legroom + quiet”): Extra-legroom seat in the forward half of economy, not adjacent to a lavatory.
• Seats to avoid for quiet:
  • Next to lavatories (foot traffic, noise)
  • Last row in back (can’t recline, much traffic)
  • Seats just over or behind the wing (engine noise)

Boeing 737: Best Seats for Legroom + Quiet

Boeing 737s: single-aisle, 3–3 layout, many airline-specific versions—always verify your plane’s configuration.

• Best for legroom:
  • Overwing exit-row seats usually offer the most legroom; check rules on storage and seat structure.
  • Front-of-economy bulkhead can be a great pick if not near galley, lavatory, or bassinet spots.
  • “Extra Legroom” branded rows are simpler to book and often a solid choice.
• Best for quiet:
  • Forward of the wing, not adjacent to lavatories/galleys.
  • Avoid seats right around or just behind the engine/wing area.
• Best compromise seat:
  • Extra-legroom aisle seat forward of the wing but not the first row of that section—often gets you more legroom with less foot traffic.
• Seats to avoid for quiet:
  • Rear-most rows (lots of crew activity, galley, lav)
  • Rows adjacent to lavatories/galleys (even with extra legroom!)
  • Seats corresponding to the engines if low-frequency hum bothers you (simpleflying.com)

Boeing 787 Dreamliner: Best Seats for Legroom + Quiet

787 is a widebody designed for long-haul comfort, with significant efforts put into reducing cabin noise and fatigue. (boeing.com)

• Best for legroom:
  • Premium Economy (budget allowing): substantial legroom.
  • Front-of-economy bulkhead: offering some extra space (if not adjacent to galley/lav).
  • Exit-adjacent/door seats: great for leg space, but note they can have lots of foot traffic.
• Best for quiet:
  • Front portion of economy, removing any seat adjacent to lavs/galleys.
  • Not right at a door cross-aisle in the long-haul cabin (foot traffic is heavy).
  • If steady sound is easy to sleep through but interruptions are not, prefer seats away from aisle/door zones.
• Best “legroom + quiet” compromise:
  • Front-of-economy seat one “mini-zone” away from the main galley/lav cluster—use airline seat map and AeroLOPA to locate the sweet spot for your configuration. (nerdwallet.com)

Quick Cheat Sheet: Where to Sit (and What to Avoid) by Aircraft Type

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

• Buying an exit row without reading the rules: In the U.S., you must be eligible and able to perform exit-row functions; airlines can reseat you. (law.cornell.edu)
• Paying for “extra legroom” next to a lavatory: Those extra inches aren’t worth being bumped by people lining up.
• Assuming the best seat has a window: Some rows have missing/misaligned windows—use a verified seat map. (nerdwallet.com)
• Not re-checking after an aircraft swap: A seat can go from perfect to just average when a different variant is substituted.

If Quiet is Non-Negotiable: 6 Practical Upgrades That Work on Any Plane

1. Bring ANC headphones or high-NRR earplugs.
2. Choose a seat away from lavatories/galleys, even if not the absolute best for legroom.
3. Pick window seats for fewer shoulder bumps, aisle for less engine vibration—choose based on your triggers.
4. Avoid door cross-aisle seats on widebodies (continuous foot traffic).
5. If in an exit-row seat, be ready to accept responsibility (or ask to be reseated early). (faa.gov)
6. Once aboard, ask a flight attendant about open, quieter seats after boarding is done (surprisingly effective).

FAQ