Where Is Seat B On A Plane? (Everything You Need To Know)

If this is your first time flying, you may have either been given a seat in column B, or you have booked it and aren’t sure where this allocation is located, we understand your frustration and wish there were a way you could pick out your set from a simple diagram. 

But there are ways that you can generally work out where your seat is going to be from a seat map, so you can see how close you are to the bathroom, isle, or window, as we are aware that people like certain positions.

Can you get a better position with column B if you upgraded to a better class?

In this article, we take a look at a few maps to show you where it’s likely that your seat will be positioned and describe a scenario where this position might be of some benefit to you. If you want a good idea of your flight’s seating plan, read on to find out more.

Where Is Seat B In General?

We can answer this by looking at different airlines, and for this example, we have used United Airlines and Delta airlines for some variety and made a note of where position B was located on the seating map.

 Looking at both maps, we can see that column B is the same as both airline’s planes, and the seating arrangement looks like A-B then isle, then C-D, and there are only five rows in first-class. 

The next class, known as business class, has column B between A and C, so you have a system like A-B-C isle, then D-E-F, so this position might benefit you more if you like a middle seat, as we know there aren’t a lot of people that do.

 If you go to the more expensive economy class, which runs from rows 15-39, where you find that seat B is in the middle again, except for row 26, where seat A is removed in place of the exits, that needs a clear pathway if an emergency arises.

Depending on the model of aircraft used, you might see slight differences where they are placed, but you’ll consistently find seat B in this middle position. 

Is Seat B A Good Position To Sit In?

If you’re in economy class, there’s a good chance of being in the middle column, so if you’re sitting between two strangers, asking when you need them to move to use the bathroom or stretch your legs can be difficult. 

This changes in first-class, where you’re sat down right next to the isle, so you have an easier time getting out of your seat and might be able to stretch a little bit as long as there aren’t any attendants walking around.

You also get more leg room, so you don’t feel too squashed together, but of course, this won’t be possible as some people won’t be able to afford the cost of the higher-tier seating. 

This might be an issue for those who are taller as you can’t stretch out, and you may not even get access to the armrests during your flight, and this depends on how generous your fellow passengers are.

You don’t want to rely on sitting next to people who may or may not be as accommodating as you’d like.

If you don’t like this idea, it may be worth spending extra to get your B column seat near the aisle, but this could potentially add hundreds to your ticket price. 

Tips For sitting In Seat B

With an overview of what this seat is like, you might still be conflicted over how to make the most of this position if this seat was booked on your behalf or if your seat is one of the select few available.

It’s not all bad news, as we give you some pointers on how to make your flight more comfortable for you and other passengers. 

Find Your Position When Boarding The Plane 

If you happen to be on the plane early, it is a good idea to establish your seat by checking the positions, which are usually marked on the overhead compartments and are normally bold so you can’t miss them.

Once the passenger from A column has to get past you, you don’t have to worry about getting by the passenger on the C marked seat.

There’s no guarantee that your seating position is going to be ideal, but if you’ve already set your posture to a comfortable level, you don’t need to worry too much about rearranging yourself during the flight.

Traveling As A Group

This is probably the ideal way to travel if you’re sitting in column B, as the other two seats on either side of you are people you at least know so that you could switch seats at points during the flight which is going to come in handy during those 10 hour plus flights.

This way, you can experience various positions and perhaps get a view from out of the window if you can snag that seat, and we don’t blame you for not wanting to give the seat up.

This can also make it easier to settle in for the evening if you’re on a long flight, and we can’t say it’s too pleasant trying to relax while there are strangers next to you. 

Sitting Near The Wings Of The Plane 

This is where sitting in economy class may be to your advantage, so if you’re traveling from New York to London, for instance, which is known for having quite a turbulent path, you could ease yourself from the discomfort by sitting near the wings of the plane. 

As larger planes tend to have their economy seats near the wings, you can have a balanced and smooth ride compared to the tail of the plane, which is more likely to move up and down on this route.

You may also find that some airlines have a configuration where their B seats are by the windows, and you can find this on the Boeing 747- 400 types of plane, so perhaps you could contact the airline to see what seat options are available. 

Conclusion 

If you’ve made a flight in this position, then the next time you book a flight, there shouldn’t be any seating position that will bother you, except maybe if you arranged a flight near the end of the plane where turbulence could make for an uncomfortable experience.

You should also be careful when going on a connecting flight, as you might be faced with a different plane layout, and your allocation may be different, so be sure to see the details of your ticket before you check out and pay.

Here you can also get a breakdown of the price of a ticket to see what you’re paying for amenities and if any taxes are applied to your ticket.