Getting stuck with that middle seat on
a long-haul flight is just one of the perils of flying economy. But
even if first-class or business seating is out of budget reach,
there still are ways to snag a good seat on a plane without paying
extra for it. Insiders recommend the following strategies.
1. Ask by number. Seating varies by type of
aircraft and model. Instead of asking the check-in agent for a
window or aisle, ask to see a seating chart of the plane and then
request a specific seat, say the online travel experts at
www.upgradebuddy.com.
2. Arrive early. According to Consumer Reports
(
www.consumerreports.org), airlines typically hold 15
percent of economy-class inventory for day-of-departure
assignments. Get to the ticket counter early and you can swap that
middle seat the company’s corporate travel agent assigned for a
more comfortable location, like a bulkhead.
3. When quiet is essential. Seats near or over
the airplane’s engines will be noisier, as will those near the
galley. At
www.seatguru.com, flyers can click on the aircraft
they are flying, select the model and take a virtual tour of the
seating map. This shows which rows have the most leg room, the
location of the plane’s engines and emergency door rows, among
other features.
4. Sit here. Seats near the lavatories are
typically nonreclining, as are those in the last row of the
airplane. Only have a carry-on and want to make a quick exit? Ask
for a seat near the front of the plane.