MOST COMFORTABLE SEATS
Dom Perignon, a la carte menus, caviar, comfortable beds, and your own set of pyjamas. Airlines don't spare the expense in international first class, but the privileged few pay for their luxury and privacy with return ticket prices sometimes topping $13,000. Emirates is leading the pack with private cubicles boasting sliding doors and their own mini bar. Cathay Pacific will soon introduce its own first class suite and word has it the front-runners won't be alone. Be warned that the term 'first class' on US domestic flights bears no relation to any of the above.

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BEST BUSINESS SEATS
Most of the better airlines now have international business seats that convert into beds, and a new generation is already on its way. But there are significant differences among airlines. Some seats lie flat, while others are on a slight angle; some are longer – 202cm on Virgin Atlantic, 198cm on Singapore Airlines and 199cm on Qantas but only 183cm on British Airways – and some are wider. Some even face backwards or towards the centre of the cabin. And there are pitfalls: the bulkhead seat can have less leg room and the upper deck of a Boeing 747 has smaller overhead lockers. Nonetheless, business class gets you real crockery, drinks in glasses, better food and wine, bigger personal screens and extras such as laptop power points.

SAFEST SEATS
Some experts say that seats over the wing, where an aircraft is reinforced, are the safest. Others say the tail section is safer. However, US aircraft manufacturer Boeing says no seat is safer than another. How a plane crashes and whether it catches fire will be the biggest determinants of whether people survive.

BEST COMPROMISE SEAT
A relative newcomer, premium economy is half-way between economy and business class. Airlines to offer this include British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand. A wider seat with up to 25 per cent more leg room and extra recline makes flying more bearable. Add better grub and plonk and this becomes a viable alternative for those who dread 'cattle class'. Fares are about 25 per cent higher than full economy, but can be up to double the cheapest fares.

BEST ECONOMY SEATS
It is up to the airline how they configure their seats and some are a better proposition than others. Air New Zealand, for example, has an 86cm seat pitch compared to a tighter 79-81cm on Qantas. And Cathay Pacific has just announced a new seat with a firm shell that guarantees your knees won't get crunched when the person in front reclines their seat. For now, however, the best bet for relief is the exit row as some have no seats in front of them.

LEAST BORING SEATS
Seat-back videos are good, video on demand is better. Few airlines worth flying are without personal video screens in their long-haul premium classes, but it can still be pot luck in economy. Systems vary, even on airlines with personal screens in all classes. The older tape systems offer fewer channels, and viewers must wait for all programs to finish and recycle before they watch the start of the next film. Video on demand also lets you watch what you want, when you want. Some systems also allow internet access. Video on demand is available on airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Emirates as well as on some Qantas flights.

WORST SEATS
The undisputed worst seats are those in the middle and at the back of the plane. Being in the middle is a pain in itself, but those at the back also suffer the worst effects from turbulence and can lose as much as 2.5cm in leg room. Sitting in an economy-class aisle seat might get you bumped by the food trolley, but at least you don't have to climb over anybody to go to the toilet or stretch your legs. Check in early to get the best seats and use internet seat allocation where available.

QUIETEST SEATS
Anything ahead of the engines will be quieter than behind them. Upper deck seats are also quieter. The only problem with this equation is that these areas are usually allocated to premium classes on international flights and unavailable to the great unwashed. Seats near toilets have more traffic and noise, and the galleys are noisy during meal times. Be wary of economy bulkhead seats that have alcoves for baby carry cots.

The Weekend Australian Magazine