On an airplane, first class might offer the best seats in the house, but scoring a row entirely to yourself has to be a very close second. The Champagne might not be free, but the ability to lay down is worth its weight in gold. While securing your own row might seem like luck of the draw, there are actually steps you can take to increase your odds. Here are nine ways to potentially nab three seats to yourself on your next flight.
- Book an off-peak time. Rob Harper, Namu Travel, advises travelers to book your ticket "on a day much less likely to have a plane full of passengers." Red-eye flights typically work well here, and what better time to have a row all to yourself?
- Move back. Check the seat map a couple hours before departure and move to an empty row far in the back of the plane. Dr. Edward Dramberger, "The Destination Doctor" and author of the upcoming book The Destination Diaries: How to Travel For Life, advises starting to check about three hours prior to departure.
- Check the seat maps. Dr. Dramberger is a fan of apps like ExpertFlyer and SeatGuru to research the flight's layout and availability, even setting "seat alerts" to let you know when seats become available.
- Pick the middle seat. "Most passengers prefer to have a little bit of space and don't mind occupying the window or aisle if no other guests are in the middle. Go ahead and snag that middle seat in an empty row and you may very well see no one next to you," adds Harper.
- Board smart. If you're on an airline that doesn't assign seats (like Southwest), be strategic when you board. If the flight isn't full, Mery Calderon, founder of Kuoda Travel, recommends nabbing a middle seat toward the back of the plane as there's a good chance the seats next to you will remain empty.
- Stay clear of the "better" seats. Harper reminds fliers to avoid exit and bulkhead rows, as those seats are popular and much more likely to fill up.
- Be the last to board. "Typically, you can't change seats until everyone has boarded, so if you're the last to board, you have the first/best chance to say to an attendant, 'Can I move and take that row?'" offers Laurel Perry, family travel consultant for Ciao Bambino.
- Be ready to move. Dr. Dramberger tells fliers to be ready to pounce on the empty row once all passengers have taken their assigned seats. "When the aircraft door closes and you hear 'Boarding is complete,' it's everyone for themselves and all is fair game to claim your row. Sprint to the row, sit in the middle seat, and throw pillows and magazines at the empty seats."
- Go old school. When in doubt, Harper recommends just chatting up the ticketing or gate agent. "I can't tell you how many times I've been upgraded by simply asking. It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask an agent to check and see which row is least likely to have another passenger and inquire about switching."
FAQs
It's a favorite booking hack by couples who hope luck will be on their side: Choose the aisle and the window and cross your fingers that other travelers will be discouraged from picking the remaining seat in the middle.
What is the middle seat trick on a plane? ›
It's a favorite booking hack by couples who hope luck will be on their side: Choose the aisle and the window and cross your fingers that other travelers will be discouraged from picking the remaining seat in the middle.
Can you lay down in an empty row on a plane? ›
If you're lucky enough to find yourself on an otherwise empty row, there's nothing stopping you from lying down across the seats.
How to get a full row on a plane? ›
When choosing your seats, select an empty row and instead of sitting together, opt for the window seat at the aisle seat.
What is the man's hilarious trick for keeping seats open on flights? ›
TikTok user @muscadinebloodline8 has shared a video showing the hilarious way he guarantees himself some extra space every time he flies. He put his arm upright inside a spare hoodie, placing a hat on top of his hand, to make it look like the seat was already occupied – preventing anyone else from taking that spot.
Where is the bumpiest place to sit on a plane? ›
Seats at the back of the plane tend to be bumpier, and sitting towards the back also means you're one of the last passengers to get off the plane after landing. Similarly, the bulkheads at the front of the cabin are where families with babies and young children sit.
Is it rude to not switch seats on a plane? ›
The passenger who refused to switch seats was not acting rudely, Randall said. “No one has the obligation to switch their seat, nor explain why they won't switch,” said Randall. “And the person making the request has no right to expect, or get angry, when they don't get their way” on the matter.
How do you check how full your flight is? ›
The first way is to call the airlines and ask them prior to check-in. The second is to wait until the check-in and find out from the seat map what seats are taken. Additionally, if the flight is departing at a busy time of day, it is likely to be full.
How do you have no one sit next to you on a plane? ›
- There are three ways to avoid having a stranger sit next to you on an airplane.
- Buy both seats,
- travel with a friend who agrees to fill your buffer zone, or.
- make quick friends with someone going to your same destination who agrees to be your buffer.
Being in the back also means you're one of the last ones off the plane—not ideal if you're trying to make a tight connection. OK, so the back row is the single worst place to sit on a plane and you should steer clear of it at all costs.
There are never empty seats in first class. Airlines upgrade their frequent flyers first, depending on the tier. If by some miracle there are still empty seats, there is usually an upgrade list to take people from.
What airline lets you lay down? ›
Domestic Delta One
You'll enjoy a 180-degree flat-bed seat, a dedicated flight attendant, and an assortment of special amenities to make your journey a comfortable one.
Does the middle seat trick work? ›
As many Redditors pointed out, if the flight is full, it is just impossible for the trick to work. The only times in which it can be successful are when the plane is not full, so the odds of someone being randomly assigned that seat are slimmer.
Why is there no row 33 on my flight? ›
"We used to skip 33 on certain maps to make the [final] row standardized, but the end row is no longer standardized," a United Airlines spokesperson told Travel + Leisure. In short, the reasoning behind having a unanimous seating map is a math equation of sorts.
What is the best row to sit on a plane? ›
Sitting at the front of the plane is usually a better option than the back for lots of reasons. The front is often quieter since airlines usually sit large groups at the back of the plane, plus since the engine is usually at the back or middle of the plane you'll probably hear it grumbling less by sitting at the front.
What are the rules for the middle seat on a plane? ›
If the seating configuration on an aircraft is 2-4-2, there are two middle-seat passengers in a four-seat section. Both middle passengers, Farley says, should get their outer armrest, and they should share the middle armrest.
How to make the best of the middle seat on a plane? ›
So today we're going to talk about 5 Ways to Make the Best of a Middle Seat.
- 5 Ways to Make the Best of a Middle Seat.
- 1 Switch Seats. ...
- 2 Make the Most of Your Small Space. ...
- 3 Use Both Arm Rests. ...
- 4 Opt for Middle Seat Activities. ...
- 5 Make a Friend or Contact. ...
- 10 Things You Do that Annoy Other Travelers.
HOW TO STAY SANE IF YOU'RE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. Etiquette says you get both armrests so claim them early on. The window passengers can lean up against the wall of the plane, while the aisle passenger can lean outwards into the aisle.
Why do people choose the middle seat on a plane? ›
Some say the middle seat offers a combination of the benefits of both the aisle and the window seat - easier aisle access while still being able to see out of the window without having to strain too much.
