You can argue all day long about window or aisle, but the real key to surviving on an economy class flight is choosing the seat that suits you best. Unfortunately, this is sometimes easier said than done. In some cases, you may have to pay extra to select your seat. In other cases, you may find that only the middle seat remains. To complicate matters further, some airlines don’t assign seats at all. So, if you’re booking an economy class ticket and want to get the best seat, here are the tips you need to know.
Find out About the Seat Selection Policy of the Airline You’re Flying With.
Nowadays, most airlines charge extra for seat selection. If you don’t pay for a seat, you’ll most likely be assigned a seat at check-in. But there are a few airlines that don’t charge for seat selection, including Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. So, if free seat selection is important to you, choose one of these airlines.
Book Early.
The earlier you book your flight, the more likely it is that the plane will be empty, so you have more seats to choose from. Sure, you may have to pay for these seats, but at least there are options. If you can’t book in advance, consider booking off-peak flights (i.e. off-peak times of the year, or even off-peak days of the week, such as Tuesdays or Wednesdays). There may be more empty seats on these flights than during peak periods.
Study the Layout of the Aircraft.
Different aircraft have different layouts and seating configurations, so it’s important to research the type of aircraft you’ll be flying on to determine the best seat option. Most airlines have online seating charts, or you can try using a third-party website like AeroLopa to look at the layout and see which rows are bulkheads or near toilets. You may want to avoid sitting too close to the restroom to avoid the noise and potential smells that come with queuing.
Continue to Check if There Is Any Availability.
If you don’t have an ideal seat at the time of booking, check back regularly. People cancel flights frequently, which means that better seats may become available at any time. If you don’t want to constantly check your seat map, you can consider paying for a third-party service such as ExpertFlyer, which can send you notifications about seat availability.
Early Check-In.
If your seat will be assigned at check-in, be sure to check in early. Usually, once you’ve been automatically assigned a seat, you can change it to any of the available seats in the cabin. If you check in as soon as the window opens, there may be other options elsewhere in the cabin.
Earn Frequent Flyer Status.
This may be easier said than done, but if you get airline frequent flyer status, you’ll likely be able to choose your seat for free. Elite members at the higher levels can even get a free upgrade or an Economy Class seat with extra legroom (subject to availability). Be sure to research the specific policies of the airlines, though, as each airline has its own membership benefits.
Pay.
Sometimes, the only option to secure the best seat in Economy Class is to pay extra. For long-haul red-eye flights, it may be worthwhile to avoid narrow middle seats close to the restrooms.
You Can Ask at the Check-In Counter – or Even at the Boarding Gate.
If you can’t secure the seat you want when you book, you can try to request a seat change at check-in. When you book your flight, there may be better seats available. If you’re unlucky at check-in, you’ll have one more chance – ask the gate agent if there are other seats available (e.g., if you’re stuck in the middle, ask for a window or aisle seat). You never know if someone changed their flight at the last minute or missed their connection.