Which seat is best for motion sickness on a plane?

Choose a seat between the plane's wings or closer to the front of the airplane, where the ride tends to be more stable. Avoid sitting in the back of the plane.



For those prone to motion sickness, the best seat is located directly over the wings (the mid-section of the plane). Much like the center of a seesaw, this area is the aircraft's center of gravity and experiences the least amount of movement during turbulence. Passengers sitting at the very front or the very back of the plane will feel "pitch and yaw" (up-and-down and side-to-side movements) much more intensely. Additionally, choosing a window seat is helpful because it allows you to look at the horizon, which provides your brain with a stable visual reference to counteract the feeling of movement. In 2026, newer aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 also feature advanced gust-suppression technology and better cabin pressure, which significantly help reduce the physical symptoms of nausea and fatigue for sensitive travelers.

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Choose a Window Seat
Picking a window seat doesn't only provide you with an amazing view of the clouds and earth below. It also minimizes your contact with other travelers who might be sick. Research tells us that this is the least germy seat on the plane, followed by the middle seat and lastly, the aisle seat.

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Are you more likely to get motion sickness on a small craft? In short – yes. “Motion sickness is definitely more prevalent in general aviation because of how much more small craft feel pockets of air,” Bush explains.

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As an antidote for motion sickness, most flight instructors know to advise motion-sick students to focus on a non-moving landmark in the distance, drink water, take deep breaths in through the nose, and point the air nozzle towards them.

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Choose the Right Seat Firstly, choose a seat that's close to the window which will allow you to focus on the horizon. Additionally, choose a seat in the middle of an aircraft (over the wings of the airplane) where there is the least amount of turbulence.

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If you're travelling east, choose the right side of the plane. If you're travelling west, go for the left side of the plane. That rule should help you out if you're travelling in the Northern Hemisphere, especially during the winter months.

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The wings are the point of lift vs gravity so sitting above them ensures a smoother lift off, flight, and landing. Avoid the rear of the plane. Turbulence is much more pronounced at the back of the plane – the further back the worse it can be.

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Sit quietly when you feel nauseated. Sometimes moving around can make nausea worse. To make sure your body has enough fluids try to drink 8 to 10 cups (2 to 2.5 liters) of clear liquids every day. Water is best.

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According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this imbalance can cause a number of symptoms: cold sweats, pale skin, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased salivation, fatigue, and vomiting.

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The efficacy of wrist bands for motion sickness is still unclear. Some scientific research studies have investigated whether acupressure helps with nausea and vomiting. More research is needed to understand if using wrist bands for nausea is as effective as standard anti-nausea drugs.

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Treatment for motion sickness Medications either calm the nerves of the inner ear or soothe the brain's vomiting centre. However, nearly all motion sickness pills are most effective if they are taken before you feel sick. Some motion sickness pills may cause drowsiness as a side effect.

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