How to Get Better Seats on an Airplane

Airplane seats
Photo by Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash

There’s nothing worse than having a terrible seat on an airplane. For some flights, you’re sitting on the plane for hours and cramped into a tight space, which can feel really claustrophobic. But there are ways to get better airplane seats and some of them don’t cost a penny. Here’s how to get a better airplane seat.

Frequent Flyer Program

Joining a frequent flyer program is the best way to get a better seat. Did you know frequent flyer miles can be used for seat upgrades? Use your frequent flyer number when you make your reservations.

Buy Tickets Early

More seats are available when you book your flight earlier. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are less busy days to fly, so the planes are emptier and there are more seats available and there is more room on the plane.

Buy a Seat Upgrade

For an additional fee, many airlines offer economy-class seats with extra legroom. For long flights, it’s definitely worth the upgrade.

Choose the Seat at Booking

The perfect time to choose your seat is when you book your ticket. If there isn’t a seat available that you like, you can return to your reservation at a later date to choose your seat.

Confirm the Seat at Check-In

Check-in up to 24 hours before the flight departs to confirm your seat or use the opportunity to select a better one. You may also find offers or discounted upgrades on premium economy or business-class sears when you check-in.