Preferred seat

It's possible that the left windows give a better view than the right. That might justify, in their minds, the higher cost.

Given a choice and the fact that the price difference between aisle and window is less than $10 I would probably pick a window on the left side which may give a better view, especially if flying over Iceland. I'd never willingly pick a middle seat no matter how much cheaper. Even if there's no window I'd probably pick a 'window' seat for the wall to lean against when trying to sleep (if it's an overnight flight).

I read a while ago (Sorry, I can't remember where.) that the left side aisle deplanes faster than the right. I assume because it is closer to the exit door. I have noticed that when we exit via the right aisle, we tend to have to wait for people who are exiting from the left aisle to stop for us and let us exit. So it's plausible. Maybe that's why the left side is more expensive than the right side?

On an overnight flight the left side window offers a better chance of seeing the northern lights. Still slim but better.

On a short flight, we'll book a window and aisle (dont care which side), and gamble that the middle seat stays empty. Sometimes it does happen.

Medium length flight (less than 5 hours) we go PE, on either side, so the middle seat is either blocked or absent.

Long haul flights, we go BC, with me at a window and DH across the aisle.

United does not charge for seat selection, so that's has never been part of the consideration and I've never paid for seat selection. Since my accident and the resulting non-working knee, space is a very important premium. I seek out regional flights on a CRJ-550 and snag seat 7A, a bulkhead with the most room on the on the left side of the cabin. For international I seek out flights on a 777 in premium plus at seat 20L. I do have an upcoming flight on a 767-400, and that'll be seat 22L. There's enough seat pitch, that I don't expect an issue on a non-bulkhead seat.

I generally prefer being at the window seat on the right side of the cabin. I'm most comfortable leaning to the right, and curling up with the pillow and using the blanket as a 2nd pillow.

Always an aisle seat no matter what the configuration is.

For me also I always pick the overnight flight from SFO so that I arrive some time between 9: 30 and 11 AM .

Good to know. Frankly, I’m surprised, both, that the window seats are priced higher, and that you expected them to be, Allan. All the more reason for someone to be angry for not getting what they paid for, as phred’s thread described. If a “wall” seat was truly desirable, what would airlines charge for those? Imagine windowless cargo planes being used as passenger planes, with pricey seats along the walls!

Always an aisle seat no matter what the configuration is.

Same

Edit: come to think of it, sometimes for a short flight within Europe, I will take a window seat.

Short haul, up to about 4 hrs, window seat. Long haul I’m usually in BA premium economy which is 2-4-2, so I choose an aisle seat in the middle because if it’s not a full flight, there’s the chance that the middle seat next to it will be empty.

Always an aisle seat for me.

Never liked the window seats...I get up often, especially on long flights...

Jojo Rabbit, that's smart according to science. Sitting for long periods is not healthy, and on flights it can be dangerous. Getting up every hour or two is far better for your body. The risk is not minimal for aging people who aren't as fit as they used to be.

I’m tall, so I always look for the aisle seats on overseas flights. Half the time I have my legs stretched out into the aisle once food service is finished on the overnights.

My fave? The regional jets that have the single seat configurations on the left side. Love that option.

We flew United recently. It had been several years since we used them. I was surprised to find they assigned window seats an earlier boarding group (main cabin), then middle, and finally aisle. Is that common now? Another advantage for window seats.

Frankly, I’m surprised, both, that the window seats are priced higher,
and that you expected them to be,

Interesting. I'm the opposite and always thought the window was the preferred choice. I do like the window for 2-3 hour flights so I can look out. But it never occurred to me to be angry if it didn't have a window as per the lawsuit in the other post.

My last overnight flight was in PE on Condor, left side window, first row, which is right inside the door. When the door is closed, there's a little ledge that I was able to put my feet up on. And we saw the Northern Lights! On the way home, I was in the aisle seat of that row. Not as nice without the ledge, but still loads of legroom.

We flew United recently. It had been several years since we used them. I was surprised to find they assigned window seats an earlier boarding group (main cabin), then middle, and finally aisle. Is that common now? Another advantage for window seats.

Yes, its been like that for some time. Basically 7 boarding groups from pre-boarding to Group 6 - Group 6 being basic economy.
https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/airport/boarding-process.html#

And I always thought that Group 5 was the lowest in Basic Economy. I always end up in Group 4 or 5. I don't choose my seat anymore taking my chances at check-in if an aisle seat is still to be had, ideally in the rear, the further back the better. Sometimes I do luck out in getting that aisle seat in Group 4 or 5.

Not always, the last two times flying trans-Atlantic at check-in Basic Economy I was a given a seat in the middle.

Westjet or Air Canada that has an extra fee for seats 2/3 of the way back?

Is there an SRO section if you do not want to pay the seat fee?

I can't speak for Air Canada but WestJet has a basic economy fare that doesn't include seat selection, a personal item only, last to board and you're at the back of the plane.

Yeah, air Canada is similar. Some fare classes include seat selection, some offer it as an option at the time of purchase or check-in if you prefer, and at the bottom of the scale you get whatever they assign you (and no carry-on, enforced easily because no one in zone 6 is allowed one).

Surprising how one side of the plane can make the difference in cost. I had always chosen window seats over everything else, never paid attention to price, or at least until I became a travel agent. It always amazed how many peoples points of view changed drastically when discovering they could not get a window seat. Quoting just a few thereby stating their whole trip was ruined because they planned poorly, booked late and could not get a window seat. The aisle seats are really the best, especially on a long flight. I have an up coming Sicily vacation in November and it will take two airlines (Delta/Turkish airlines) and a total of six airplanes to get there and back. I am traveling with my adult daughter and we chose aisle seats across from one another just semi behind the wings for a smoother flights. We booked these flights the beginning of February. Some of most important things about flying most people forget about is memorizing the busy airports flown into and out of and watching their items while on the airplane. Just because you are on a long flight doesn't mean your suitcases and backpacks are safe. If you are shoving a travel case under the seat in front of you, check the contents before everyone exits the plane. Landing at the arrival gate can be considerable amount time and effort away from your departure gate. Picking a seat on an aircraft isn't going to crush your vacation, however knowing your seat mates just might help foil a would be pick pocket, because it means more eyes on your items. Or just maybe they had flown into the airport more often enough to help you get to your gate on time or can recommend a great place to eat while at the airport in-between flights. Think about it, sitting in the window seat means you are going to be either distracted or a sleep when a pick pocket goes through the bins above where you cannot see from the window seat. At least from an aisle seat prospective, you will be able to have a better view and save a few dollars in the process.

Just because you are on a long flight doesn't mean your suitcases and
backpacks are safe.

When I first read your post my immediate reaction was that inflight theft couldn't possibly be a thing, but apparently it's a crime that's on the rise. So much so that government websites are warning about it. Here's a link to the Canadian government's warning page. https://travel.gc.ca/air/theft-from-carry-on

A couple of things they suggest is putting your carry-on in the overhead bin across from you so you have a better view, and turn it upside down to make it more difficult to access.

I look for an asile seat in the front third of the cheap seats in the center section with the opposite center section asile seat already booked. The odds of the center seat selling are low so there is some room to move. Then when checking in I check seats again. If there is an aisle seat on an otherwise empty row, I move my seat selection, then sleep across three seats.

A couple of things they suggest is putting your carry-on in the overhead bin across from you so you have a better view, and turn it upside down to make it more difficult to access.

I started using the across-the-aisle bin a couple of flights ago, if available. Will add the upside down trick. Combined with my inability to sleep on a plane, I should be theft-proof.

Recently landed in Switzerland and got on a nearly-full train that had barely any room for luggage. Wound up having to leave a suitcase out of view, piled up with other people's luggage. As usual in Switzerland, nothing happened but we weren't happy to have to do that.

Aisle seat. Always book the same seat on my overnight flights LAX to LHR on Virgin Airlines.

My preference for an aisle seat is because I’m left handed.

A couple of things they suggest is putting your carry-on in the
overhead bin across from you so you have a better view, and turn it
upside down to make it more difficult to access.

And place it wheels out or bottom out if you don't have wheels. Seems like the crew used to announce to everyone to place them wheels out, but I haven't heard that lately.

As far as why the seats on the left side are more expensive, I am sure slbdaisy is right:

I have noticed that when we exit via the right aisle, we tend to have to wait for people who are exiting from the left aisle to stop for us and let us exit. So it's plausible. Maybe that's why the left side is more expensive than the right side?