The best seat for turbulence
If you want to feel turbulence less, your choice of seat can make a small but real difference. First, the most important thing: this is a matter of comfort, not safety. Every seat on the aircraft is equally safe. Still, where you sit changes how much of a bump you feel.
Where the aircraft is calmest
In light bumps, a plane behaves a little like a long seesaw that pivots gently around its centre of gravity. The closer you sit to that centre, the less of the movement you feel.
Over the wing: felt the least
The middle section, where the wings are, is closest to the aircraft's centre of lift and centre of gravity. Think of the middle of a seesaw: while the ends move, the centre stays almost still. If you want to feel bumps the least, choose a seat level with the wing.
The front: moderate
The front of the aircraft is usually calmer than the back, and a little quieter because it sits away from the engines. It is not quite as steady as being over the wing, but you feel movement at a moderate level. For most passengers it is a comfortable choice.
The aft and tail: felt the most
The very back of the aircraft is the point farthest from the centre of gravity; like the end of a seesaw, that is where you feel movement the most. If you are sensitive to bumps, avoiding the rear rows can add to your comfort. Even so, remember: the back seats are perfectly safe too.
A comfort factor, not a safety factor
Seat choice is only about how much of a bump you feel, not about safety. Every seat on the aircraft is equally safe, and turbulence is not a structural threat to the plane. Choosing a spot over the wing can help you have a more comfortable flight, but sitting in the back does not make you any less safe for a moment. Pick the place where you feel at ease; the rest is already safe.
To make your flight even calmer: