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.