The real reason why plane windows don't line up with the seats
If you've flown on an airplane a handful of times, you may have noticed that the seats don't often line up perfectly with the windows.
Sometimes, you'll have to crane your neck forward or back to awkwardly look out the window.
Or, if you're really unlucky, you might wind up in a 'window' seat with nothing but a blank wall next to you.
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Windows don't always line up with the seats. Getty
This is for one simple reason: the manufacturers who make the airplane's body are different from those who do the interiors.
Aircraft manufacturers, like Boeing, will space the windows out at set intervals - when the airline receives the plane, it's empty on the inside.
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Then airlines have the flexibility to fit in seats however they choose, in line with their business model.
Some airlines choose to squeeze more rows into their planes - resulting in more seats on the plane, but less leg room for passengers.
It's a good idea to check whether your seat actually has a window. Getty
This is why two airlines can have identical aircraft, but one has much roomier seats than the other.
For example, take the Boeing 787 plane.
On Jetstar, these planes have 21 seats in Business and 314 seats in Economy. On Qantas, they have 42 Business, 28 Premium Economy and 166 Economy seats.
Jetstar seats have a 76-centimetre pitch (the distance between seats) compared to Qantas' 81 centimetres.
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Airline seats are installed on rails. Getty
Airline seats are installed on metal tracks, which makes it relatively easy for seats to be pushed closer together or moved apart at the airline's discretion.
Next time you're on a plane, have a look down at the floor and you'll see the tracks for yourself.
The disconnect between window placement and row placement has also led to some "window" seats actually not having a window at all - leading to some very disgruntled passengers.
Earlier this year, a lawsuit was lodged against airlines that don't disclose that this 'window' seat doesn't have an actual window.
9Travel columnist Sami Lukis swears by the site SeatGuru to get an idea of what your plane seat will be like before you even board.
Some window seats have no windows. Reddit
Simply enter your flight number and date of travel, and it'll show you the seating configuration for your flight.
"It will tell you which are the best seats and which seats to avoid, particularly if you're going to spend a little extra money to get an exit row seat or to get a window seat," she said.
