Yes, I am very familiar with the middle seat – I usually end up there and when I do I wonder why airlines just don’t get it that one of the worst aspects of flying is being wedged in between two complete strangers. That’s why I love those smaller Air Canada planes – the two/two configuration. One stranger I can handle – two is just one too many! Then when you get to international travelling – well it’s just a crap shoot. Some planes have a 2/5/2 configuration. Now imagine being in the middle seat in the middle row. You have two strangers each side of you …. on a 10 hour flight, puhleez.
So my favourite website – seatguru.com. That will tell you where is a good seat, which one doesn’t recline and which of those have limited storage or leg room. Here’s a good example. If you look at the seat map on a reservation system you will see a long rectangle with the seat map laid out inside this. Well most planes are not rectangular in shape – some narrow further back and if you happen to be in one of those seats you are really going to be compromised with leg room. So check out exactly what you are going to sit.
Remember lastly that being in the middle seat is better than not having any pre-assigned seat because that’s when you find yourself bumped – not fun if you have connections to make.
On a personal point and being a middle seat person (due to the fact that my husband loves the aisle) I am lucky that I have short legs and never ever travel long haul without my sleeping pills.
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