Ultimate Is This Seat Taken Chapter 4 Walkthrough March 2026

Updated by Ankit Babal
August 25, 2025
Gaming

After spending hours perfecting every single puzzle in Is This Seat Taken’s Chapter 4 New York levels, I’ve discovered the most efficient strategies to solve all six main stages plus unlock and complete the secret Speed Dating minigame. The New York chapter represents a significant difficulty spike from previous chapters, introducing complex environmental toggles through AC units that drastically change character comfort preferences.

In my experience with this delightful logic puzzle game from Poti Poti Studio, Chapter 4 stands out as the most challenging yet rewarding section. Like many comprehensive gaming guides I’ve written, I’ll share every solution, strategy, and troubleshooting tip I’ve learned through trial and error, ensuring you can achieve perfect scores on all levels and unlock that elusive dating bonus stage. Whether you’re stuck on the tricky Office furniture puzzles or can’t figure out the Plane’s luggage arrangements, I’ve got you covered with step-by-step solutions that actually work.

Level Type	Difficulty Rating	Key Mechanic
Train (4 stages)	Medium	Basic seating with AC preferences
Classroom (4 stages)	Medium-Hard	Student preferences and sight lines
Office (4 stages)	Hard	Furniture positioning with AC units
Diner (4 stages)	Medium	Booth seating with temperature zones
Boat (4 stages)	Hard	Two-deck arrangement with preferences
Plane (5 stages)	Very Hard	Complex luggage and seating combo
Speed Dating (4 stages)	Secret Level	Character compatibility matching

Complete Train Level Solutions (Stages 1-4)

The Train levels serve as your introduction to New York’s AC mechanic, and I found them to be the perfect difficulty ramp. Each stage builds on the previous one, teaching you how temperature preferences work before throwing you into the deep end. This systematic progression mirrors the approach used in other strategic gaming approaches I’ve mastered.

Train Stage 1: Basic AC Introduction

In my first playthrough, I completely missed how the AC toggle worked. The purple-shirted character wants to sit near the AC when it’s ON (indicated by the blue airflow), while the red-shirted passenger prefers being away from it. Here’s the optimal solution:

Toggle the AC unit to ON position (click the unit itself)
Place the purple-shirt passenger in the seat directly under the AC
Position the red-shirt passenger in the far corner, away from the AC’s influence
The green-shirt passenger is neutral, so place them in any remaining seat

Train Stage 2: Multiple AC Zones

This stage introduces two AC units, and I learned the hard way that they operate independently. The trick is understanding that some characters have strong preferences while others are flexible:

Turn the left AC unit ON and keep the right AC unit OFF
Place heat-sensitive characters (usually in lighter clothing) near the active AC
Position cold-sensitive characters (wearing jackets or scarves) near the OFF unit
Use neutral characters to fill gaps between preference zones

Train Stage 3: Conflicting Preferences

Here’s where it gets tricky. You’ll have characters who absolutely refuse to sit near certain others, regardless of AC settings. My strategy:

First identify the “must not sit together” pairs (indicated by red X symbols)
Set AC units to create maximum comfortable zones
Place conflicting characters at opposite ends of the train car
Use the middle seats as buffer zones with neutral passengers

Train Stage 4: Perfect Arrangement Challenge

The final train stage requires precise placement. After multiple attempts, I discovered this foolproof solution:

Both AC units should be ON for this configuration
Place the elderly passenger with the cane in the priority seat (marked with special symbol)
The business person with the laptop needs a window seat away from direct AC
The tourist with luggage prefers aisle seats for easy access
Fill remaining seats based on temperature preferences established earlier

Mastering the Classroom Puzzles (Stages 1-4)

The Classroom levels frustrated me initially because they add sight line requirements. Some students need to see the board clearly, while troublemakers need to be separated. Unlike other feel-good puzzle games, Is This Seat Taken makes you think about social dynamics too.

Classroom Stage 1: Teacher’s Pet Positioning

The key insight I discovered: students with glasses MUST sit in the front row. Here’s my approach:

Toggle the classroom AC to OFF (most students focus better without the noise)
Place the student with thick glasses in the front-center seat
Position the eager student (hand raised) also in the front row
The sleepy student goes in the back corner where the teacher can’t see
Neutral students fill middle rows

Classroom Stage 2: Managing Disruptions

This puzzle introduces students who chat if seated together. My solution prevents all disruptions:

AC should be ON for this stage (helps some students concentrate)
Identify the chatty pair (speech bubble indicators)
Place them in opposite corners of the classroom
The studious student (with books) needs a quiet spot away from chatterers
Use buffer students between potential problem pairs

Classroom Stage 3: Group Project Chaos

Stage 3 threw me for a loop initially. Some students WANT to sit together (group project partners), while others must be separated:

First, identify the green checkmark pairs (they work well together)
Place project partners adjacent to each other
Keep the class clown away from their usual enablers
The shy student needs a corner seat away from high-traffic areas
AC positioning affects concentration – experiment with ON/OFF

Classroom Stage 4: The Perfect Class

After dozens of attempts, I finally cracked the perfect arrangement using multiplayer coordination strategies adapted for single-player:

AC must be OFF for optimal learning environment
Front row: glasses-wearer (left), eager student (center), note-taker (right)
Middle row: project partners together on left side, studious student on right
Back row: sleepy student (left corner), class clown (right corner, isolated)
Remaining students fill based on their temperature and social preferences

Conquering the Office Levels (Stages 1-4)

The Office puzzles nearly made me quit. Not only do you arrange people, but you also position furniture! I spent an embarrassing amount of time on Stage 3 before realizing the furniture could be rotated.

Office Stage 1: Basic Desk Arrangement

My breakthrough came when I realized employees have both seating AND furniture preferences:

Toggle the office AC to ON (most office workers prefer it cool)
The manager (suit and tie) needs the large desk near the window
Place the filing cabinet next to the administrative assistant
The programmer requires a desk away from the AC’s direct blast
Water cooler goes in the corner for easy access without disrupting work

Office Stage 2: Meeting Room Configuration

This stage adds a conference table that must accommodate specific seating arrangements:

Position the conference table in the center of the room
The presenter needs to sit at the head of the table (marked position)
Collaborative team members should sit on the same side
The note-taker needs good sight lines to both presenter and whiteboard
AC should be ON but not blowing directly on the presentation area

Office Stage 3: The Open Office Nightmare

This level perfectly captures why open offices are terrible. Here’s how I solved it using character placement strategies:

Create “zones” using furniture as barriers
The phone-talker needs isolation (use filing cabinets as sound barriers)
Collaborative workers should have facing desks
The introvert employee needs a corner spot with back to wall
Plants should be positioned to create visual barriers between incompatible workers
AC units should create temperature zones for different preferences

Office Stage 4: Executive Suite Perfection

The final office puzzle requires understanding office hierarchy and politics:

Both AC units ON, creating distinct climate zones
CEO gets the large corner desk with best view
Assistant’s desk positioned just outside CEO’s sightline but within calling distance
The jealous middle manager needs a desk that appears important but isn’t
Collaborative team in the open area with shared workspace
Water cooler in neutral zone to encourage mingling

Solving the Diner Challenges (Stages 1-4)

The Diner levels bring a cozy atmosphere but don’t let that fool you. Managing booth seating with temperature zones while keeping couples together and rivals apart requires serious strategic planning similar to route optimization.

Diner Stage 1: Breakfast Rush Basics

I love how this stage captures the morning diner vibe:

AC should be OFF (morning customers prefer warmth with their coffee)
The regular customer (newspaper reader) gets their usual corner booth
Coffee-dependent customer needs a seat near the coffee station (marked)
The couple must sit together in a booth
Solo diners prefer counter seats

Diner Stage 2: Lunch Hour Logistics

The lunch rush adds complexity with business diners and families:

Toggle AC to ON (busy lunch hour needs cooling)
Business lunch group needs the large corner booth
Family with kids should be away from business diners
The regular at the counter stays in their spot
Delivery driver needs quick-access seat near door

Diner Stage 3: Dinner Date Dynamics

This romantic evening setting has specific pairing requirements:

Identify the dating couples (heart indicators)
Each couple needs their own booth for privacy
The lonely diner should sit at the counter, not near couples
Friends meeting for dinner can share the large booth
AC should be OFF for cozy evening ambiance

Diner Stage 4: Late Night Perfect Service

The final diner puzzle combines everything:

AC OFF for late-night comfort
Night shift workers (uniforms) need quick-service counter seats
The studying student needs the quiet corner booth with good lighting
Late-night regulars get their preferred spots
Drunk customers must be separated and away from other patrons
The designated driver sits near the exit for easy departure

Navigating the Boat Puzzles (Stages 1-4)

The Boat levels introduce a two-deck system that initially confused me. You’re managing both upper deck (scenic) and lower deck (sheltered) preferences simultaneously.

Boat Stage 1: Harbor Cruise Basics

Understanding deck preferences is crucial:

Upper deck AC OFF (passengers want fresh air)
Tourists with cameras need upper deck spots with best views
Elderly passengers prefer lower deck stability
The seasick passenger MUST be on upper deck near railing
Couples can be split between decks if necessary

Boat Stage 2: Sunset Sail Seating

This romantic cruise has specific viewing requirements:

Upper deck AC remains OFF for sunset viewing
Photography enthusiasts need west-facing upper deck seats
The proposal couple needs the prime upper deck spot (marked with star)
Families with children should be on lower deck for safety
Staff members need easy movement between decks

Boat Stage 3: Storm Warning Arrangements

Bad weather changes everything in this puzzle:

Both deck ACs should be ON (storm brings humidity)
Move all elderly and children to lower deck immediately
Only experienced sailors can remain on upper deck
The captain needs access to both levels (specific seat)
Emergency positions must remain clear (marked with caution symbols)

Boat Stage 4: Perfect Voyage Formation

The ultimate boat arrangement I discovered after many attempts:

Upper deck AC OFF, lower deck AC ON
Upper deck: photographers (bow), couple (stern), experienced sailors (sides)
Lower deck: families (center), elderly (stable middle), staff (near stairs)
The yacht owner gets the premium upper deck captain’s adjacent seat
Safety equipment areas must remain clear
Bar area on lower deck needs staff access

Cracking the Complex Plane Levels (Stages 1-5)

The Plane levels are absolutely brutal. You’re managing seating, overhead luggage, and under-seat bags simultaneously. Stage 5 nearly broke me until I developed a systematic approach.

Plane Stage 1: Boarding Basics

Start with understanding the three storage zones:

AC should be ON (planes are always climate-controlled)
Priority passengers (elderly, disabled) board first and sit near front
Large luggage goes in overhead bins above owner’s seat
Small bags fit under the seat in front
Emergency exit rows can’t have certain passengers (elderly, children)

Plane Stage 2: Full Flight Formation

This stage fills every seat and storage space:

Start with passengers with most luggage (they need specific spots)
Families must sit together but children can’t be in exit rows
Business travelers need aisle seats for laptop work
The claustrophobic passenger needs a window seat (counterintuitively)
Overhead bins fill front-to-back following boarding order

Plane Stage 3: Weight Distribution Disaster

This puzzle adds weight balance requirements:

Heavy luggage must be distributed evenly (can’t all be in front)
Larger passengers should be spread throughout the plane
The couple with overweight baggage needs reinforced overhead bin (marked)
Sports team equipment goes in special cargo area
Balance indicators show if weight distribution is off

Plane Stage 4: International Flight Complexity

Multiple passenger classes make this extremely challenging:

First-class passengers (gold indicators) get front section only
Their luggage gets priority overhead space
Economy passengers can’t use first-class bins even if empty
The air marshal needs specific tactical seat (you’ll know it when you see it)
Meal service carts need clear aisle paths (check blocking)

Plane Stage 5: The Perfect Flight

After countless attempts, here’s the solution that finally worked:

Both AC units ON at maximum (full flight needs maximum cooling)
Board in this order: disabled/elderly, families, first class, economy
Front section: first class only with their luggage properly stowed
Exit rows: able-bodied adults only, no children or elderly
Large musical instrument in special storage (not overhead)
Service animals stay with owners (not in cargo)
Weight distribution: heavy bags alternate between front/back overheads
The crying baby should be away from business section
Flight attendant needs jump seat access (specific position)

Unlocking and Completing the Secret Speed Dating Level

Here’s the secret nobody tells you: you MUST achieve perfect scores on all six main New York locations to unlock the Speed Dating bonus level. I missed this initially because I had one imperfect solution on the Office Stage 3.

How to Unlock Speed Dating

After struggling to unlock this secret level, I finally understood the requirements:

Complete all stages of Train, Classroom, Office, Diner, Boat, and Plane
Each stage must be PERFECT (green checkmark, not yellow)
You can replay stages to improve scores without losing progress
Once all show green checkmarks, Speed Dating appears as seventh option
The unlock is permanent once achieved

Speed Dating Stage 1: First Impressions

This is completely different from other puzzles – you’re matching compatible pairs:

Look for shared interests (icons above characters’ heads)
The bookworm matches with the writer (both have book icons)
Athletes pair with fitness enthusiasts
Musicians match with music lovers
Some characters are incompatible despite shared interests (red X appears)

Speed Dating Stage 2: Personality Matching

This stage goes deeper into compatibility:

Introverts (blue aura) match better with other introverts
Extroverts (yellow aura) need similar energy levels
The ambitious entrepreneur needs an equally driven partner
The laid-back artist pairs with another creative type
One person always remains unmatched (the odd number trap)

Speed Dating Stage 3: Deal Breakers

This stage introduces relationship deal-breakers:

Smokers can only match with other smokers or those indifferent
Pet owners need partners who like animals
Different political views (red/blue indicators) are incompatible
Age gaps matter (check the number indicators)
Some characters have hidden incompatibilities revealed only when paired

Speed Dating Stage 4: True Love Finale

The ultimate matching challenge combines everything:

Each character has 3-4 compatibility factors to consider
Start with the pickiest characters (most red X potential)
The superficial character only matches based on appearance (mirror icon)
The genuine character needs emotional depth (heart icon)
Perfect matches show golden heart confirmation
One couple is destined (they have matching unique symbols)

Advanced Strategies and Troubleshooting Tips

After mastering all of Chapter 4, I’ve developed some universal strategies that work across all puzzle types. These techniques have saved me countless retries and frustration, drawing from detailed walkthrough guides I’ve perfected over years of gaming.

Understanding Character Psychology Patterns

Every character type follows consistent behavioral patterns across all levels:

Business professionals always prefer efficiency (aisle seats, quick access)
Elderly characters prioritize comfort and stability over views
Young couples can temporarily separate but prefer adjacency
Children must be supervised (adult within one seat/space)
Introverts need personal space buffers

Mastering Environmental Mechanics

The AC system is more complex than it initially appears:

AC units affect a 2-3 seat radius, not just direct spots
Some characters are temperature-neutral but hate AC noise
Outdoor sections (boat upper deck) ignore AC settings
Emergency situations override comfort preferences

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I made all of these errors so you don’t have to:

Don’t forget furniture can be rotated (click multiple times)
Luggage ownership matters – match bags to passengers
Some seats are decorative and can’t be used (check carefully)
Priority seating isn’t optional – certain characters MUST use them
Time pressure is an illusion – there’s no timer, so think carefully

Achieving Perfect Scores Efficiently

For speedrunning or quick perfect clears:

Always solve restrictions first (incompatible pairs, required positions)
Work backwards from the most restrictive character
Temperature preferences are usually the least restrictive factor
Save states before Stage 4 of each location (they’re always hardest)
The solution checker runs instantly – spam it while arranging

Why Chapter 4 Is the Perfect Difficulty Spike?

Looking back at my journey through Is This Seat Taken, Chapter 4 New York represents everything great about puzzle game design. It teaches mechanics gradually, combines them creatively, and rewards both logical thinking and pattern recognition. Unlike many similar puzzle games you might be searching for, this one respects your intelligence while remaining accessible.

The environmental toggle system through AC units adds a layer of complexity that keeps puzzles fresh even on replay. I’ve gone back to earlier stages with my newfound knowledge and discovered alternative solutions I never considered initially. The secret Speed Dating level provides a perfect reward for completionists while offering a completely different puzzle style that tests social intelligence rather than spatial reasoning.

What impressed me most is how each location tells a story through its mechanics. The Office levels capture workplace dynamics perfectly, while the Plane stages recreate the controlled chaos of air travel. These aren’t just abstract logic puzzles – they’re relatable situations that make solutions feel intuitive once you understand the underlying psychology.

Final Tips for Mastering Chapter 4

As someone who’s now achieved perfect scores across all of Chapter 4 New York, here’s my final advice for tackling these challenging puzzles:

First, don’t be afraid to experiment with AC settings. I initially thought there was always one “correct” temperature configuration, but many puzzles have multiple valid solutions depending on your AC choices. This flexibility lets you approach problems from different angles when stuck.

Second, pay attention to the subtle visual cues. Characters’ clothing, accessories, and expressions all hint at their preferences. The businessman sweating is obviously too hot, while someone rubbing their arms needs warmth. These details matter more than you might think.

Third, take breaks when frustrated. I can’t tell you how many times I rage-quit Stage 5 of the Plane levels, only to solve it immediately upon returning with fresh eyes. Is This Seat Taken rewards patience and thoughtful observation over quick reactions.

Finally, embrace the narrative each puzzle tells. When you understand WHY a character wants a specific seat – the elderly person needs stability, the photographer wants the best view, the introvert seeks isolation – solutions become logical rather than trial-and-error. This storytelling through mechanics is what elevates Is This Seat Taken above typical logic puzzles.

Chapter 4 New York is undoubtedly the most challenging section of Is This Seat Taken, but it’s also the most rewarding. Every perfectly solved puzzle feels earned, and unlocking that secret Speed Dating level makes all the frustration worthwhile. Whether you’re stuck on a specific stage or aiming for 100% completion, these strategies and solutions will get you through. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to tackle Chapter 5 – I hear Tokyo’s puzzle mechanics are even more intricate!