Everyone has a preference about seating while flying coach. Some pick the aisle; some, the window seat; some would prefer to sit at the back of the plane; others, the front.
One TikTok couple revealed their choice when flying with their partner, and it's sparked debate online. In the video, viewed more than 436,000 times since it was posted on June 2, couple Jessica Pink, aged 26, and Gavin Greenberg, 27 (@gavinandjess) are travelling on a United flight from Denver to Austin, and said that they will always book aisle seats next to each other.
Pink and Greenberg are full time travelers and own travel company Travel World Culture. "We have been traveling for five years," Pink told Newsweek. "We began in 2018 by taking a one-way flight to Medellin, Colombia. We travel full-time researching, planning, and leading group trips around the world, and that is how we afford to do it."
On the subject of their unusual seat choices, Pink said: "In all our five years of full-time travel, I often got stuck with a middle seat because I would offer Gavin the aisle since he is taller and could use the option to stretch his legs out (only when no one is walking by, of course). I was so tired of being squished in a middle seat, so Gavin suggested that we each start taking an aisle seat. We can usually choose aisle seats for free, so it really works out."
Jessica Pink and Gavin Greenberg are full time traveler's, and have revealed some of their best travel hacks to NewsweekJessica Pink and Gavin Greenberg are full time traveler's, and have revealed some of their best travel hacks to NewsweekCourtesy of Jessica Pink and Gavin GreenbergThere are advantages and disadvantages to every seat on a plane, and you have to find what works best for you.
"There are pros and cons to choosing between a window or an aisle seat," says flight comparison site Skyscanner on its website. "In a window seat, you won't have to worry about anyone bumping into you or asking you to get up so they can leave. You also have a little more real estate to lean against when you sleep. In an aisle seat, you can get up whenever you want to stretch or take a bathroom break.
"Avoid choosing a seat near the bathrooms or family sections of a plane if you can," Skyscanner adds. "Extra legroom might be worth the splurge if it means a more comfortable flight. Once you are seated, avoid placing anything under the seat in front of you for full use of leg space."
While travelling the world with your partner full time might sound like the dream, it's not all beach bars and sunsets.
"Oh, no doubt there are disadvantages to traveling with a partner full-time, especially when you also work together," said Pink. "Full-time traveling means that you are constantly planning, navigating, and problem-solving as you go. Every meal can be a challenge. Daily life is stressful even before considering the stress that running our business adds day to day, so we have to be conscious of not taking frustrations out on each other. We also try to set boundaries to keep work and personal time as separate as possible. Luckily we're also best friends, so we are grateful to get to spend our days together pursuing hobbies we love."
Pink and Greenberg's top three travel tips:
"Get a travel credit card. There are specific ones with annual fees that easily pay for themselves. Look for ones that give you Priority Pass (access to over 1400 lounges worldwide, which is how we eat for free in airports), TSA precheck and Global Entry, travel insurance, extra points when you're spending on travel, and sign-up bonuses that can be worth a lot.
"Post-pandemic, we've seen a lot more canceled flights, delayed flights, and lost baggage. This is why we only travel with carry-ons and then just do laundry wherever we go if we're traveling for longer than a week. This way we don't have to wait around at the baggage claim, never lose anything, and never have to worry if our baggage is going to make it amidst delays and cancelations. We wear our bulkiest items onto the plane in terms of shoes, jackets, etc., so that those don't take up too much room in the suitcase. Pro tip: roll your clothes instead of folding them and use packing cubes.
"We love to travel during a destination's shoulder season or sometimes even low season for big discounts, less crowded travel, and a more immersive experience. Iceland's peak season is summer, but we love October because there's plenty of daylight to explore, the chance to see the Northern Lights, fewer crowds, lower prices, and still decent weather."
Users differed in their opinions in the comments. "Then get bumped by people going toilet every 2 minutes, or people in your row getting up, the trolly," commented one user. "Better than being in a middle seat and the person on the aisle is sleep when you need to wake them to get up and [move]," replied the original poster.
"The aisle seat is the worst seat. No, I don't get it," wrote one user. "My husband and I ALWAYS do this!!!" posted another. One user commented: "My husband and I both get window seats and he sits in the row in front or behind me."
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on "WSID" at Newsweek.
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Update 6/29/23, 5:18 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from the original poster.
