The best seat on the plane to avoid turbulence is either over the wings or towards the front of the aircraft. The wings of the plane keep it balanced and smooth, whereas the tail of the aircraft can bounce up and down more. The closer a passenger is to the front of the plane the less turbulence they would usually feel.

Yes, you generally feel less turbulence and noise in the front of a plane compared to the back. Physically, an airplane is like a giant seesaw; the center of gravity is usually near the wings, which is the most stable part of the aircraft. When the plane hits rough air, the tail section (the back) tends to bounce and "fishtail" more dramatically because it is furthest from the center of gravity. Furthermore, on most modern commercial jets, the engines are located under the wings. If you sit in front of the engines (First or Business Class), the noise is significantly reduced because the sound is projected backward. Conversely, sitting behind the engines in the back of the plane exposes you to more exhaust roar and vibration. If you are prone to motion sickness, travel experts in 2026 consistently recommend booking a seat over the wing or as far forward as possible to ensure the smoothest and quietest flight experience available on the aircraft.