How To Score The Best Seats On A Plane

[shygirl724]

Fox News recently had a report on how to snag the best seats on your next flight. It had some interesting tips. The article can be found at: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/...core-best-ones

The following is the article -

Seats on a Plane, How to Score The Best Ones

Strategies for stretching out.

February 25th, 2010

NEW YORK - You wanted that spacious seat in the exit row but someone beat you to it. Or you reserved a seat online, but checked in for the flight and found your seat was given to another passenger. There's a trick to getting a coveted seat and preventing it from being given away.

Here are some suggestions on how to get the best seat and hold onto it.

SPACE TO STRETCH

You're booking a flight online, and you want to get the best seat possible. But it looks like the coveted emergency exit row is full. Not necessarily, says Matt Daimler of SeatGuru.com.

Seats in the exit rows generally open up only 24 hours before a flight. So you can't get them when you book, but you can snatch them when you check in online. But you'll want to check in as soon as possible: there are cases in which frequent fliers can get preferred access.

And remember, emergency exit rows are not ideal for families. Passengers have to be at least 15 years old to sit in these rows. If you are lucky enough to grab an emergency exit row seat, select a seat in the second row, Daimler says. In planes with two rows for emergency door access, the front seats generally don't fully recline.

Another option for extra space? The bulkhead seats. These are the seats at the front of each section of the plane - so you won't have to deal with anyone reclining in front of you. But not all bulkhead seats are created equal.

Because the bulkhead seats face a wall, some often offer space for the knees but not enough space to stretch your legs. Some planes - generally those with a first-class section -have a cut out in the wall that allows for your legs to extend.

Bulkhead seats in first-class often are not desirable seats because they don't offer enough legroom. This is why sometimes, Daimler says, you might find a better seat in coach.

BY THE NUMBERS

When booking a seat, pay attention to a little number the airlines call seat pitch, especially if you're tall. The legroom factor, which generally hovers around 31 inches for domestic flights, is listed on SeatGuru.com for numerous aircraft types at every major airline. You can also check other small, but important details, such as whether the seat you're about to book is too close to a restroom.

Some seats within a single plane cabin have different seat pitch. By way of comparison, United's economy plus section has more legroom than its regular seats, but about the same as JetBlue's standard seats.

"So many people shop by price (when choosing a flight)," Daimler says. "This is when a little homework really goes a long way."

UPGRADES

You're preparing for a long flight, and you're hoping to move up to business or first class? There aren't any magic bullets here. The keys: Fly a lot and be nice.

The most effective way to raise your chance of an upgrade without paying through the nose is to join frequent flier programs and rack up points, says Jami Counter, senior director of TripAdvisor Flights.

Aside from that, a potential upgrade will require a little charm. Many people underestimate how much power that overworked gate agent actually has, says Counter. An agent has the power to choose whom to upgrade, and in some cases, whom to bump. So make airline workers your allies: When you reach the gate, ask the agent if any seats have opened up in the front of the plane.

For a fee that ranges between $50 and several hundred dollars - much cheaper than the difference in price when you book - you'll be able to move on up.

ODDBALL SEAT ISSUES

Sometimes you book on a travel site like Expedia or Orbitz, but you check in the day before your flight and you don't have a seat. Why does this happen?

According to an Orbitz spokeswoman, most airlines only allow about 75 to 80 percent of their seats to be booked before flight time. If you're booking too close to your flight, you might be out of luck.

The remaining seats are issued at the airport on the day of departure. Airlines will then move people around to accommodate families who aren't seated together or people with disabilities and special needs.

Another reason you might not end up with the seat you booked? Sometimes an airline will change an aircraft at the last minute due to weather or an operational issue. If the aircraft changes, seat assignments may need to be adjusted.

Some airlines also keep more seats or rows for premium travelers. You won't always know which seats these are when you book. This is especially common on seats on a codeshare flight - where one airline sells tickets but the flight is operated by another. (Example: you booked a US Airways ticket but the flight is actually operated by United.)

How can you prevent it? There isn't a lot you can do to avoid being moved around by an elite frequent flier. But to ensure you have the seat you booked on a travel site, visit the airline's Web site after you book. If the site doesn't reflect your seat request, call the airline and see if you can make a reservation over the phone.

THE FUTURE

It wouldn't be the airline industry without extra fees. Counter of TripAdvisor says passengers should be prepared for a new charge on the horizon: a seat selection fee. Allegiant and Spirit already do this. United and JetBlue charge for roomier seats.

The one time a seat fee didn't work? In the summer of 2001, when American removed some seating from the cabin and announced it would charge extra for "more room throughout coach." It didn't fly. The airline reinstalled extra rows of seats in 2005.

[bonniejoy03]

Great update. I really love to use seat guru to check my seats. Found it is quite helpful. Hate to be near the bathrooms on ANY flight!! Also, I am not too excited with the bulkhead seats because you can't store anything in front of you and some times the overheads have become too full. Also, if it is near the galley or bathroom, you tend to have people congregate in the area.....seems like a big "yapper" section!!!

[lippincottfarm]

One of the best ways to get good seats is to pick one airline and fly that airline as much as you can. If you pick an airline that belongs to STAR alliance, then any flights with the partner airlines counts toward your main airline. For example, I have been gold on US Air for many years. What that means is I board as a Zone 1; I have never had problems putting my luggage on unless my connecting flight is late. I am upgraded almost all the time on domestic flights. On transatlantic flights, I can upgrade for a couple of hundred dollars and miles. I get in the short line to check in and to go through security. I get the best seats when I buy my tickets. My friends say I am crazy to not get the cheapest flight that I can; I say they are crazy. When my flight is cancelled or late; I go to the front of the line to get on another flight. I am furnishing a home in Mexico; I can check for free, three boxes or suitcases per person. I carried down all the fans, lights, kitchen appliances, 1000 count sheets and towels for free. I even carried down the kitchen sinks and faucets on the airline. I never worry about getting bumped; they don't bump their best customers. For a couple of hundred dollars per year in extra money for not going with the cheapest flights, I get perks that are worth their weight in gold. Most people don't realize the benefits for picking and staying with one airline. I recommend it.

[Mountie]

lippincottfarm, I agree with and observe the same type of allegiance to two major US carriers. The benefits of accumulating the miles quickly result in free travel and the ability to upgrade classes of service. I also notice gate agent often check the frequency of my travel and appear to accommodate my upgrades more often.



By the way, unlike yourself, I think USAir is probably one of the worst carriers presently operating. I avoid using them at all costs.

[lippincottfarm]

Hi Mountie, US Air has its moments, but they have made great strides in making Philly more pleasant. You no longer get met with the surly look and attempts to ignore you every time; only about 50% of the time now. Charlotte is a great airport with very nice workers; easy to navigate; nice stores. At one time, Pittsburgh was a hub so you had direct flights. Pittsburgh is another great airport. That no longer is the case, but I started with them, and I will probably finish with them. By the way, they are at the top in avoiding lost luggage. A major perk with me since I have become the person I always made fun of in the past - the box and bag lady.



You are correct in your comments about the miles, when you are a member of the elite groups, there are no blackout dates for use of your miles. I refused to pay the outrageous prices to fly at Thanksgiving and Christmas; I already was safely in the gold group so I booked using miles. No problem.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi L. I totally agree with you about Charlotte. Great airport and great people. If you get caught with problem flights, Charlotte staff is quite helpful. However........Philly is different and I don't think it has improved. It is so difficult to use that airport or hub for USAir. I am from Philly and book my family through Philly often and I fly direct from Philly or connect. My family always has problems with asking for assistance (senior citizens) and/or flights leaving/arriving on time. About two years ago, I received a note from USAir that they were working on improving the airline in Philly. Haven't seen it yet! Have you ever tried to make a connection from the regional terminals to the regular terminals? It is next to impossible and there is never anyone to help.