How to book the best airplane seat

Booking the best airplane seat can be golden – and elusive. Don’t make the unfortunate (and uncomfortable) mistake of booking a bad seat whenever you can help it. Avoid getting stuck by the lavatory, in a seat that doesn’t recline or, gasp, the dreaded middle seat. Whether travelling to New York for business or embarking on a beach holiday to Sardinia, you can select your seat like a pro with these tips.

Determine what you want

So what makes a great seat? That all depends on personal preference and the type of flight you are taking.

Seat features to consider:

• Some seats have limited legroom, while others may have more than a standard seat
• Some seats have reduced seat width, while other economy seats have extra width
• Some seats have limited recline or do not recline at all. For example, the seats in the row directly in front of the exit row often do not recline.
• Some seats lack a seat-back pocket and/or seat in front to stow items
• Some seats have outlets and USB ports, which can be a great perk on a long-haul flight

Passenger types and seat feature combinations to consider:

• Business travellers or those with connections: Choosing an aisle seat toward the front of the plane can afford you the opportunity to be first off the plane.
• Travellers with large cabin bag gear: Choose a seat toward the back of the plane as most airlines board from back to front, assuring better odds of finding space in the overhead bins.
• Nervous flyers: Consider a seat over the wing, which is less effected by turbulence.
• Travellers on long-haul or overnight flights: If you’re hoping to sleep, consider a window seat, which offers a convenient spot to rest your head between the seat and the wall, eliminating the awkwardness of accidentally resting your head on the shoulder of the stranger next to you, or consider an exit row, which offers space to stretch out.
• Tall passengers: Consider an exit row or some bulkhead seats, which provide extra pitch, the distance from one seat to the seat in front or behind it – what travellers often refer to as “legroom.” The pitch varies from seat to seat, row to row, type of aircraft and airline. Bottom line: the higher the seat pitch number, the better.
• Passengers flying with infants: Choose the bassinet positions offered in bulkhead seats. Those with children should consider the non-exit row bulkhead seats, as they tend to be closer to lavatories and provide extra space for kids to spread out.

Map it out

While many airlines have the same airplane models in their fleets, most configure the interiors differently, so it is important to look at the seating map not only for the airplane type but also the airline you are flying. Using another airline’s map may not be accurate. If your airline doesn’t provide airplane seating charts, call and speak with an agent, who should be able to provide guidance.

Book wisely

Buy airline tickets early. The earlier you purchase your airline ticket, the more options you will have for choosing the best seat. However, some airlines, like Ryanair and EasyJet charge to select seats. Airlines often hold or reserve a number of seat assignments for airport check-in, so the number of pre-assigned seats passengers can select at booking is often limited.

Most airlines allow you to check-in online within 24 hours of departure. If you couldn’t select a seat when you booked your ticket or you want to change seats, checking in online often allows the chance for selecting seats that weren’t available before, like frequent flyer seats — seats previously assigned to flyers who have been upgraded to premium classes like business or first class.

Location, location, location

Having an entire row to yourself (often found in the last row, but seldom seen these days) is the holy grail of airline seats. Be alert during the boarding process and, once the cabin door is closed, quickly look around for any empty rows. If you spot one, ask the flight attendant if you can make a switch.

If you are travelling as a duo and hope to score an empty seat in your row, book the window and aisle seats at the back of the plane. Chances are, the middle seat will remain empty. If someone does book the middle seat, it’s likely they will be more than happy to swap for the window or aisle seat.

Sleepy? Study the flight plan to see which side of the plane the sun will be shining on and book the opposite side. Some frequent flyers swear the window seats on the left side of the plane are better as they are often “off center,” making it easier to rest your head.

If you want to avoid noise, don’t sit at the back of the plane where the lavatories are and where passengers often queue up for them. The flight attendants often prep inflight refreshments and congregate in the galley at the back of the plane. On flights where bassinets are offered at bulkhead seats, avoid reserving a seat in those rows and surrounding rows as families often occupy them with infants.

While the back can be desirable in certain scenarios, sitting up front also has its advantages: you often get first dibs on drinks and food, and you get to deplane first.

Get with the program

Join a frequent flyer program. Even if you don’t fly that often, joining a frequent flyer program can help when choosing a seat. Many airlines offer their best seats to loyal customers, particularly those who are frequent flyers.

Signing up for a membership is usually free and there are typically no annual fees or requirements to being a frequent flyer. When you purchase your airline ticket, use your frequent flyer number at the time of reservation.

Splurge on a seat

Many airlines offer the best seats to passengers who are willing to pay for them. Prices vary by airline, seat location and amenities like extra legroom and proximity to the front of the plane.

Last minute tips

If you don’t want to splurge for a prime seat (or one isn’t available), there are a few things you can try last minute to increase your odds of getting the seat you desire.

• Check-in online before the flight to select your seat
• Get to the airport early and ask the ticket agent to help you select a seat, arriving early also ensures you aren’t bumped from the flight
• Be polite and persistent, if the ticket agent isn’t able to help, speak to the gate agent in charge of your flight. Last minute cancelations, no-shows and seat upgrades can cause prime seats to be released last minute
• Ask other passengers if they are willing to trade seats, some travellers don’t care where they sit. Some passengers assigned to window seats might prefer your aisle seat and vice versa, while a person seated in a middle seat might jump at the chance to trade so you can sit next to your travel buddy