When booking a flight, there’s one particular seat you might want to avoid – seat 11A. Although it might seem like just another number, choosing this seat means you’ll be situated in the middle of the aircraft without the enjoyment of a full view outside.

This unfortunate spot is not aligned with a typical window. Instead, there’s a small, circular window that offers barely anything to see.

What’s the Reason Behind This?

An expert from Flight Radar 24 explains, “In Ryanair’s Boeing 737-800, seat 11A lacks a window due to the plane’s cabin air conditioning system.

“Modern commercial jets, like the Boeing 737, supply air conditioning through two main ‘packs’. These regulate the airflow and temperature throughout the cabin. The air travels through ducts installed along the aircraft’s sidewall.

“One of these ducts runs parallel to seat 11A, which is why there’s no window there.”

To add to the frustration, on the opposite side of the aisle, passengers in seat 11F enjoy a perfectly positioned window. If you’re in 11A, the best view you might hope for is a glimpse through the aisle to their spot.

Those seated in 12A and 12F don’t fare much better in terms of a view, but it’s not the plain wall that 11A provides.

If you’re curious about the view from your plane seat before you book, you can check out sites like AeroLOPA. These sites provide the floor plans for many different airlines, helping you assess not just legroom but window views as well.

Interestingly, choosing seats on the right side of the plane – seats D, E, or F – can offer slightly more legroom on a Boeing 737. The aircraft is designed with a slight asymmetry in mind.