Meet the Flyers Who Love the Middle Seat on Airplanes

A surprising 28% of US travelers, including some New Yorkers, prefer the often-maligned middle seat for its coziness and community.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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While many travelers dread the middle seat on airplanes, a growing number of flyers, including Shanna Meit-Sciara and Kelly Davis, actually prefer it. Shanna, a New Yorker, says the middle seat allows her to claim the armrests and get comfortable, even on long-haul flights. Kelly, a comedian from Atlanta, embraces the middle seat and uses it as a platform to entertain and connect with her seatmates. Experts say the middle seat can provide a sense of safety and grounding for some passengers.

Why it matters

The middle seat is often seen as the least desirable spot on an airplane, but this story highlights how some travelers are bucking that trend and finding comfort and community in the middle. It provides insight into the psychology behind seat preferences and how the middle seat can actually be a positive experience for certain flyers.

The details

Shanna Meit-Sciara, a 34-year-old New Yorker, says she loves the middle seat because it allows her to claim the armrests and get cozy, even on long flights. Her wife, Gabi, suffers from motion sickness, so Shanna's middle seat preference is helpful. Meanwhile, comedian Kelly Davis, who lives in Atlanta, calls herself the "middle seat queen" and uses the close quarters to entertain and connect with her seatmates. Experts say the middle seat can provide a sense of safety and grounding for some passengers who prefer the feeling of being "bookended" on both sides.

  • The February 2026 report found that 28% of US travelers prefer the middle seat.

The players

Shanna Meit-Sciara

A 34-year-old New Yorker who loves sitting in the middle seat on airplanes for its coziness and ability to claim the armrests.

Gabi Meit-Sciara

Shanna's wife, who suffers from motion sickness during long flights, making Shanna's middle seat preference helpful for their travels.

Kelly Davis

A professional comedian and mother of four from Atlanta who calls herself the "middle seat queen" and uses the close quarters to entertain and connect with her seatmates.

Staci Sycoff

A tri-state clinical social worker and certified professional life coach who explains the psychological reasons why some people prefer the middle seat.

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What they’re saying

“As a born and raised New Yorker, I'm very direct. So, in the middle seat, I'm able to claim my territory over the armrests or I'm able to fold my two feet up and onto the seat and get in a really comfortable position.”

— Shanna Meit-Sciara (The Post)

“It's super helpful to me that she's so chill about sitting in the middle. For me, being in the aisle or window seat isn't for comfort; it's more about my motion sickness. My partner being right next to me in the middle seat is the comfort.”

— Gabi Meit-Sciara (The Post)

“I'm the middle seat queen. I know how to make uncomfortable things comfortable for myself and everyone around me. I take that middle seat and I make people feel good during a flight, and I take pride in that.”

— Kelly Davis, Professional Comedian (The Post)

The takeaway

This story highlights how some travelers are finding unexpected comfort and community in the often-maligned middle seat on airplanes. It provides a fresh perspective on seat preferences and shows how an open mindset and positive attitude can transform even the tightest of airplane quarters into a cozy and enjoyable experience.