Classification Notice for Window Seat Strategy

CLASSIFICATION NOTICE RE: Window seat passengers EFFECTIVE: Upon check-in

Type 1: The View Passenger

Primary motivation: the view. The view consists of clouds, the ocean, cities from altitude, and the wing of the aircraft. These are available from 32,000 feet and are finite in variety.

The view passenger chose the window seat at check-in. By the third hour, the window shade is closed because the light is disruptive to the film they are watching.

Type 2: The Wall Passenger

Primary motivation: the wall. The wall provides a surface to lean against during sleep. The window seat is the only seat with a wall. The aisle passenger has an armrest. The middle passenger has nothing.

The wall passenger knows the bathroom trade-off and has accepted it. They have assessed their bathroom frequency and concluded that the risk is manageable for the flight's duration. They are usually correct.

Type 3: The Strategic Passenger

Primary motivation: control. The window seat defines the row. The window passenger cannot be asked to move by anyone except the airline's boarding procedures. The middle and aisle passengers are subject to requests from both directions.

The strategic passenger values the defined boundary. They have thought about this more than other passengers.

The Bathroom Calculation

The window seat requires: waiting for an appropriate moment (both adjacent passengers not asleep, not during a meal service, not during turbulence); signaling intention; waiting for the adjacent passengers to stand; exiting into the aisle; returning and performing the process in reverse.

This takes approximately four minutes per bathroom visit. For a four-hour flight, this is manageable. For an eight-hour flight, it becomes a relevant constraint.

The calculation was completed at check-in. The window seat was chosen. The wall was worth it.