Once you get through airport security and TSA lines, the last thing you want on a long flight is to be disturbed by a bunch of noise.
Especially if you’re hoping to sleep on a long flight, distressing interruptions — such as the humming of the engine, bathroom doors slamming and flight attendants chatting in the galley — can start your trip off on the wrong foot.
But some seats on a plane are actually quieter than others, according to Dollar Flight Club.
Not shockingly, the noisiest seats on the plane are those closest to the bathrooms and galleys.
On wide-body aircrafts, this means the seats in the first couple rows in first class, near the cockpit, the middle galley (located in the middle of the plane between cabins or near where the classes separate), and the aft galley (located at the back of the plane, used for food preparation, beverage service and other in-flight operations).
On narrow-body aircrafts that are usually smaller with a single aisle, the noisy seats are near the cockpit and the aft, where the bathrooms and galleys are located.
Being in the rear section of any aircraft is going to be noisy in general due to the location of the bathroom and flight attendants — but also because the distance from the plane’s wings and the flexing of the plane’s structure will make that area bumpier and louder throughout the flight.
If you want to be in the least noisy part of a plane, choose any seat in front of the wing. Right behind the wing is where it will be the loudest because that’s where the engine is. The noise of the engine is pushed backward, so if you’re sitting in front of the wing, it will automatically be less noisy than in the back of the plane.
Sometimes on larger planes, whether you sit on the right or left side can make a difference. It all depends on which side is facing away from the jet engines, though it’s not a big difference.
If you’re debating whether a window or aisle seat would give you a quieter plane experience, it more-so hinges on what you would prefer to hear. The window could be slightly louder due to the hum of the engine, but aisles also have a lot of foot traffic.
However, there are ways to reduce noise on your own as well. For example, Dollar Flight Club recommends packing noise-canceling headphones or asking a flight attendant for earplugs. Even if nothing is playing through the headphones, it will reduce the engine reverberation. If you do want to listen to something, choose calming music or a podcast or audiobook designed for relaxation.
Packing a sleep mask can also help reduce light and other distractions to help you get in a better zone for sleep and get rest. Additionally, putting your name on an upgrade list can give you a chance of getting a seat toward the front of the plane.
