Do you prefer the aisle, middle or window seat when flying? We would urge you, under normal circumstances, to always go for the window seat.
When you choose the window seat, you’ll have a harder time getting to the bathroom, but at least you won’t be the one being bothered every time by a seat mate who wants you to move so he can go to the bathroom. There is a wall on one side so, for the most part, you are insulated enough that you won’t be affected by other people’s behavior.
“You can create your own little space by the window,” says, psychologist and University of Washington professor Jonathan Bricker, Ph.D. The spot feels cozier, and you can rest a pillow against the wall for more comfy naps. “You can create a little bit of a home,” he says. But, the fact that the window seat allows you to watch breathtaking views outside of that window—that is what is most compelling.
Appreciating beauty in this world from the window seat.
As adults, we often miss the magical experience that is flying. You actually know you are an adult, someone jokingly said, when you no longer clamor for the window seat.
Without a doubt the world is a beautiful place, one that looks entirely different from up above. From stunning sunrises and sunsets, to awe-inspiring cityscapes and landscapes and mesmerizing cloud formations, the beauty from up there is boundless and magical. You’re invariably rewarded when you remember to look.
For instance, the views outside that window of the actual Rocky Mountains from 30,000-feet above sea level are infinitely better than watching an in-flight movie about the Rockies. What such majestic views bring to our lives, our perspectives and our outlooks is undeniably the stuff of dreams.
If you don’t quite believe us, here are some pictures that give you more reasons why you should always ask for a window seat. These pictures will help you think about how much of life and beauty you’ll be missing out on when you forego the window seat or let your fear of flying overcome you.
1. The sunrises are spectacular from the skies.
In this photo, the early morning light illuminates Dusseldorf in a breathtaking new way, as seen from a window seat. Beautiful sight. (Photo credit: Florian Seiffert/Flickr.)
2. And sunsets are pretty epic too.
As spectacular as sunrises are, sunsets are equally spectacular when viewed from the air. (Photo credit: Oblivious Dude/Flickr.)
3. You could even see a rainstorm like this off in the distance.
Wow, just take a look at that rainstorm, as seen from this airplane window. It’s simply amazing. It puts everything into perspective in a breathtaking way. (Photo credit: Haley Luna/Flickr.)
4. Or Chicago’s skyline reflected in Lake Michigan.
The Chicago skyline reflected in Lake Michigan, as seen from this airplane window, is rare and quite a spectacle to behold. (Photo credit: Mark Hersch | Twitter.)
5. What of waterfalls in all their glory? Riveting!
Seeing the Kaieteur Falls, Guyana from the ground is majestic in its own right, but it’s an entirely different prospect to view it from the air. The scene is priceless. (Photo credit: Cody H /Flickr.)
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6. And seeing the highest point in Africa will leave you breathless.
There are few things in this world quite as awe-inspiring as seeing the gorgeous, snow covered Mount Kilimanjaro rising out of the ground from your plane window. What a sight! (Photo credit: Kyle Mijlof.)
7. Enjoy front row views of an endless sea of clouds.
Seeing ordinary clouds up close in an entirely new way from the comfort of your window seat is such a pleasure. And just riding the clouds for miles on end, it’s spectacular. (Photo credit: Marj Stevens/Flickr.)
8. Maybe you’ll see your first frozen lake.
Occasionally, those by the window seat may see the whole expanse of Lake Mendota frozen from an airplane aerial view. How cool is that? That’s pretty cool. (Photo credit: Alan Wolf/Flickr.)
9. Or perhaps, you’ll see your first volcano.
This picture of Mount Taranaki as seen from the airplane window, is nothing short of stunning. Wouldn’t you agree? (Photo credit: Jon Sullivan/Flickr.)
10. And even views of a sprawling metropolis are pretty memorable.
When flying into one of New York City’s several airports, lucky travelers will get a gorgeous view of lower Manhattan. You won’t see views like these from the aisle. (Photo credit: Alamy stock photo.)
Featured photo credit: Linh Nguyen via flickr.com
