I was inspired by seeing a United DC-8 stuck in the Chicago snowstorm of 1979 pictured here, so this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps showcases a United Airlines DC-8-70. I had the privilege of flying on several of these birds in the late 1980s before they were retired, and I’m glad I did. They were noisy, but comfortable, and I recall they had a steep nose pitch on descent… more so than any other airliner I’ve flown. They also had frequent weight & balance issues (look at the disparity of seats forward and aft of the wing). On two occasions flying them, they asked for volunteers to move up to first class after taxiing out and I was always quick enough to get up there! Even though the wing was in the way, I generally sat in the first few rows of coach on this plane, and usually in the window seats. In first class, you’d find me mid-cabin, and also likely in a window seat if it were a daytime flight under 4 hours.

Where would you sit?