If you have econophobia like me, then you definitely dread getting stuck in a middle seat. I don’t know many people (except for my late father) who like getting stuck between two strangers. Here’s how to get the best coach seat possible. RELATED: 10 Things You Should Assume About Every Flight You Take
1. Get elite status
Acquiring elite status is the easiest way to secure the best possible coach seat(s). That’s because most airlines allow their frequent fliers to sit in the highly sought-after extra legroom rows for free. Attaining elite status is not that difficult, especially for business travelers. Usually, you just need to accumulate a certain number of miles or spend a certain dollar amount in a year on one particular airline or its partners. There are also a number of credit cards, which will help you attain this goal. For instance, several co-brand airline credit cards not only come with automatic elite status, but also offer perks like free bags, TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, and some of the best limited-time credit card bonuses that we’ve seen this summer.
2. Keep checking
If you book a ticket last-minute (like I usually do)—even if you’re a frequent flyer—chances are that the golden seats will already be gone. But don’t fret because the good seats will most likely still open up. The trick is to keep checking your reservation and seat chart every hour or so because the best seats are usually being reserved by frequent fliers. In most cases, one or some of them will either be upgraded to first class or they will cancel their trip.
I usually begin checking a few days before departure and continue until I get the seat I want. For example, I was able to get an exit row window seat a few days before my flight—but I prefer an aisle. I know beggars can’t be choosers, but I know how this works. So instead of checking-in 24 hours in advance, I waited until just a few hours before. On some airlines, once you check-in, you can’t change your seat until you get to the airport, and I had a feeling that on this flight, the aisle might open up. And you know what? It did. How do you like them apples?!
If you don’t have time to keep checking your reservation, then set a seat alert with ExpertFlyer.com. They don’t charge for a single seat alert, but if you want to set more at once, you can buy more seat alerts for only $0.99 each or sign up for a Basic or Premium account, which start at $4.99 per month. Here’s our guide on how to use Expert Flyer since it’s not the easiest website to maneuver.
4. Pay extra
Most airlines will sell you a better coach seat. But if you’re going to pay, just make sure you’re getting something for your money (like more legroom) because some airlines (ahem, American) charge for being toward the front of the cabin with no extra anything. Don’t be fooled.
5. Get the bulkhead/emergency row
Get an emergency row or bulkhead seat. Emergency row and bulkhead seats usually have a lot more legroom than the other seats do, and that’s why airlines charge more for them. Whenever I’m in one and have a long flight, after takeoff I bring down my rolling briefcase from the overhead bin and put a blanket, pillow or sweatshirt on it and turn it into a leg rest. Sometimes, I even have more legroom than first class passengers. Just be sure to stow it before landing.
6. Be friendly
One of the best ways to get a great coach seat for free is, simply enough, to be super-friendly to the gate agents (I usually bring them chocolates) and kindly request if they upgrade any of the frequent fliers, to give you their plush coach seat. These fliers are usually booked in an exit row or bulkhead seat.
7. Use SeatGuru/SeatExpert
To find out which seats are the best on a particular aircraft, consult SeatGuru.com (SG) and aeroLOPA. SG highlights the best seats in green and list exactly how much legroom and pitch each one has. They also inform you if there are power ports or personal TVs. Keep in mind that airlines can change aircraft types at the last minute so there are no guarantees. Still, more information will help!
8. Don’t buy terrible seats
Reader Rakesh Agrawal recently reminded me of another strategy. “I was talking to someone who paid for a middle seat in the back of the plane. Don’t buy it. Worst case scenario: you’ll get a middle seat in the back of the plane when you check in.” Good advice!
As you can see, it sometimes does take time to get the best seat on the plane but having extra space or legroom can make or break your trip.
Let me know in the comments below if these tips helped or if you have any tricks up your sleeve that I missed!
This post was updated on January 23, 2024. It was originally published in 2012.
KEEP READING:
–8 Ways To Make Sure An Airline Doesn’t Lose Your Bag … And That You Don’t Get Robbed or Stalked
–The Trick For Getting Airport Luggage Carts for Free
–Airline Lost Your Luggage? Do This If You Want to Get Compensated
–Why Frequent Fliers Use Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags When They Travel
–An Airline Executive’s Number One Tip for Avoiding Lost Luggage When You Fly
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These are all GREAT tips and I’ve used almost all of them and they do work!! Gate agents have alot of power when it comes to changing seats around.
Who are the gate agents or where can i find them? I see so many people until I do not know who is who.
Great stuff, Johnny. Going to see if I can make these work on my way to Toronto. ; ) — Spud
This may sound stupid, but exactly how do you gift the chocolates to the gate agents without feeling like you are offering a bribe? Is it awkward?
It’s not stupid. Best is to say something like this: I’ve been reading Johnny Jet’s Travel Newsletter and he says the best way to get on the gate agents good side is to be genuinely nice and bring them a box of chocolates. So here you go…
Thanks — I’m going to try that!
In Hawaii, it’s common practice to bring “omiyage” and hand them to a flight attendant after you sit down. Omiyage are usually small gift of candy or snacks from the place you’re travelling to or from. They really do appreciate and will show even more aloha when the food/drinks carts comes around. After talking to a few of my flight attendants friends, I discovered it’s a general practice in most airlines too.
I think it’s an excellent idea to provide an “omiyage” for the gate agents. I’m definitely doing this next time.
BTW: Excellent site! Thank you for the great info. I’m glad I found you on:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/08/30/how-to-get-cheapest-price-on-airfare/
Aloha
When you book a flight on AA, their website will usually show very little availability of seats. They open all seats within 24 hours of the flights.
I like to go to trade shows and speak with airline reps, especially for some of the start-ups like XL Airways France. Get to know the chief of customer relations and you might score that great seat. It’s a lot of work, but worth it for long-haul flights.
Where can i find the chief of customer relations?
J,
I finally read the best six ways to improve your coach seat and would like to add a seventh:
Dress up!
Dress up!
The agent has occasionally actually upgraded me only because I look good compared to passengers in flipflops, muscle shirts and short-
shorts
I agree with this one. Too many people look like they are walking out of bed when they fly.
I thought if you looked too smart they would take it wrong.
Dress for success…simple as that. I was moved up to business class from Munich once and another time from London – 2 different airlines
Johnny, all good ideas. I especially endorse the most-favored-airline status. Without my knowledge but because I am a second-tier (out of four) frequent flyer with Delta, the airline entered me into the TSA PRE (as in pre-screened) program. For the past few flights I have been whisked through security without taking off belt or shoes or even hauling the laptop out of the backpack.
Hey, I’m a travel writer/frequent coach flier and all for trying any of these tricks. I have used most of them or variants thereof successfully. Another tip — when travelling with another person in coach, I always book us the aisle and the window seat in the same row. Unless the flight is packed, the middle seat usually remains open, since no one wants to sit between two strangers. If it does get filled, one of us might offer to swap with that person, but not always!
Meanwhile, Johnny, can you explain this term? “…kindly request if they upgrade any of the frequent fliers to give you their plush coach seat (they are usually booked in the exit row or bulkhead).” What’s “the plush coach seat” if not in the exit row or bulkhead, which are booked?
Cheers,
Gillian Kendall
http://www.gilliankendall.org
Read more: https://johnnyjet.com/2012/09/six-ways-to-get-the-best-coach-seat-on-an-airplane/#ixzz276ynKP5E
Plush would be an aisle or window near the front of the plane.
The Six Ways are all great!
I’d like to add the importance of KEEPING your best coach seat. Many families go out of their way and book tickets months in advance to ensure they all have seats next to each other, only to be split apart a few weeks before departure due to an aircraft or schedule change.
If you receive ANY notification from the airline, that there has been any kind of change (even if the only change was the flight number or the time changed by five minutes), be sure to double check your seat assignment(s)!
Excellent point! We book our flights way in advance and have been split up on the last two. I watch seat assignments Ike a hawk now!
Wow! Please help me get some of these deals. I travel international twice a year to feed children, but I have never received anything free.
Wow, I would have never thought of some of these. I don’t travel alone often, so we can usually ask someone to switch seats with one of us, not the most crafty way to go about it, but it works most times. But I’ll have to try some of these, thanks Johnny
Do you really mean it with a box of chocolates to the gate agents? :)
I love these tips and will share them!
We work so hard to try to secure the best seats for our clients. Because we’re usually booking vacations with two or more people, it can be a gamble to wait until the last minute to get seats together, so we suggest that groups and families, even couples, try to book a few months in advance to get optimal seating.
And gifts for desk clerks and flight attendants? BRILLIANT?we travel with a bag of individually wrapped high end chocolates so we can distribute them as needed!
What is the Android Seat app, you spoke of Saturday on your Leo Laporte Tech guy segment?
Expert flyer https://johnnyjet.com/2012/09/six-ways-to-get-the-best-coach-seat-on-an-airplane/
Many thanks for your tips. I found you on http://travelswithcarole.blogspot.fr/2013/04/misc-carole-terwilliger-meyers-is.html.
Have a nice day.
Great travel tips – well worth reading even for the 100,000 mile a year traveler. Getting elite status is my #1 recommendation if at all possible. It’s not that hard if you acquire certain airlines’ affinity cards. When flying on an airline with no status: (1) Some airlines sell premium extra-space coach seats at check-in. If you have to open your laptop it may be worth the $20-50. (2) Get the airline’s mobile app and (as Johnny says) check for seats very frequently in the few days prior to the flight (any maybe twice a day for the weeks before that). You can usually change your seat inside the mobile app. (3) Some airlines (I fly United) allow seat changes from computer or mobile app even after checking in. (4) Learn how to use SeatGuru – even when aircraft changes it’s very often to the same model/same seat config. If you fly enough you will come to know all sorts of things SeatGuru may not tell you. Even first class has better and worse seats. Trade stories with frequent travelers.
Getting thru the airport: (5) If you fly more than a couple times a year it may be worth it to get TSA precheck even if you have to pay for it – or FlyClear if you frequently use airports they serve). Since I fly out of SFO, it’s well worth it to me to have both Clear and TSA Precheck because the TSA line is getting congested as they enroll more of the flying public.
Thanks again Johnny! Found you on Leo Laporte’s Tech Guy podcast.
I just did it, I got 11F window seat! When I originally booked 3 weeks ago, the few available seats are all aisle seats so I just decided I’ll just be at the mercy of the gate attendant when I get to the airport. SO happy I opened your email during a break at the office. Thank you!!!!!
If your reservation is more than a month in advance, check your seat assignment on the first of each month. Airlines sometimes change the equipment (aircraft type) on the first of the month. Often your seat will change without notice and if someone else now has your assigned seat, there’s nothing that the airline can do. Set-up a calendar alert to check your seats on the first of every month. A changed seat assignment may not be your fault but it is your problem.
Great tip! We will make it a reader travel tip. Thanks!
Thanks Johnny, but I was recently on icelandair, from iceland to Chicago. I booked this flight in August for a March flight. The DAY before the flight, icelandair changed my seat! I was in Munich and did not find out about this until I checked in, and it was too late as they had given my seat to someone else. It was the worst flight I have ever taken because of the seat they assigned me to. I will NEVER fly this airline again, and I want to warn as many people as I can about their practices.
Thanks for those amazing tips !
I will surely try some of these for my next flight :)
Oh great, I’ll keep that in mind for the next time I fly. Couldn’t hurt to be bumped up a notch.
Great tips for a first time flier like me. Will come in really handy. Thanks.
Why do you keep repeating this bad information? Surely you must know that United at least has a strong pecking order for premium seats (primarily elite status and how much you paid for your ticket). Gate agents can be fired if they give away economy plus seats when there are elites on the waiting list who don’t get these seats. And suggesting that flyers gain elite status is correct. On heavily trafficked routes, an elite (silver) with 25K has only a tiny chance of getting a bulkhead seat. Dressing up sounds like a good strategy but a regular passenger in a 3 piece suit will easily be bumped by an elite in shorts and flip flops.
Great tips! Just wanted to add that if you are sitting in the emergency row, you must be physically capable and willing to perform emergency actions when seated in emergency or exit rows and you must be 15 years of age or older. They will ask if you agree to these conditions and we almost lost our seats when my wife said “No”. I had to do some fast talking to reassure the airline that my wife would act in emergency.
At least on United, you don’t have to wait to check in. The normal seat selection function when you view your reservation is not available to change your seat but all you have to do is go through the check in process again and you can change your seat.
Their web site (on the normal seat selector) actually points you to the check in process to update your seat.
If you hope to get a real upgrade, checking in early helps since final determination of where you are on the upgrade list is time of check-in (behind FF status, cost of ticket/fare class, <>).
Wow! This looks incredible post and information. These are really very best things you shared and beautiful pictures you capture. I would love to go there.
Amazing tips! Will have to make use of Seat Guru, Seat Expert and Expert Flyer for my next flight!
I have tried all of the above without luck – always well dressed, courteous. Have had gate agents tell me theyare not allowed to accept gifts (candy, etc.). The airlines want our money time and again. Don’t hold your breath with any of these suggestions to get upgraded or improved seat assignments. My motto is always “what you see is what you get”. Seat Guru help initially with seat selection but again, there are not guarantees. My group has been split time and again for somebody like a single parent with a kid. How about me and my husband each wanting to sit next to one of our own kids. Nervy of gate attendants in my book
I think people who smoke should still (even though thank God they can’t smoke on a plane now) be seated in a secluded section. Was feeling very sick sitting next to a woman who reeked secondhand smoke, had to make a plea to be moved. Luckily, I was moved.
I’d rather drive my car and ignore all of the above, frankly.
When I was in the military and traveled by air, I wore my dress uniform. The airlines would usually move me to a first-class seat. I was all ways very polite and respectful of the staff. Never got drunk or caused the stewards any grief. For twenty years this seemed to work very well for me. I don’t travel by air anymore, most of my travel is by auto or train so that I can see America first and last as I have traveled the Orient and Europe extensively.
Totally agreed with your comments. Tried all with no luck.
I was surprised at Roberta’s response until I looked at the dates on the various comments. Especially since the pandemic, regulations have changed drastically and some people are showing their ugly side. Numerous stories of people refusing to change seats, airline personnel getting attacked verbally and physically and of people behaving so badly that the airline will escort them off the plane and, in some cases, turn the plane around. I thought the candy was a great idea but realize that it could be awkward for the recipient. Around the winter holiday when the miniature candy canes come out, I fill my coat pockets and give one or two to random people, friends, store clerks, bank tellers, etc. Even as they utter a surprised “oh”, I’m walking away. PS. I fly Southwest, no assigned seats, generous baggage and, as I experienced when my wallet was lost and stolen in the terminal, able to get onboard without ID. Just a more thorough luggage and body check.
Ana Harper – I couldn’t agree with you more. I feel physically ill when I smell a smoker that is just covered in cigarette smell its in their hair and skin and their breath smells like death which isn’t too far away in my opinion for people who smoke. It is a disgusting habit
OMG! Never EVER block an airplane’s emergency exits or even think about taking up an emergency row seat unless your ready, willing & able to perform the duties that go with it (knowing when to, opening the exit door then helping folks exit the airplane in an emergency)!
NEVER even consider that asinine suggestion to use a suitcase as a footstool – thus block the emergency exit! How stupid, selfish & inconsiderate can you get? Anyone that does that should be booted from flying commercially – for life! That potentially puts everyone in your area – possibly the entire plane’s (in certain conditions) worth of passengers in danger of being unable to exit in an emergency- or. minimally, slow the egress down, causing injuries if not deaths. (All airplanes are REQUIRED to be able to clear within 90 SECONDS to provide proper egress security). Far less how any Flight Attendants allowed that to happen is unfathomable… I’m sure the FAA would have a field day if they found out!
Shease people! How selfish & ignorant can you get? Leave the exit rows to those that are tall, need the extra room & are willing & capable of helping if an emergency does occur!
Yes, flying is very safe these days – but stuff can & still does happen…. When it does, it’s usually in a huge hurry & provides little if any warning – far less time & the ability to restore your suitcase in an overhead bin (where it should stay throughout the flight). Consider all aboard vs just your own comfort! If you “need” more “comfort” than is normally offered, hire a personal jet…. I’m sure the rest of us less selfish folks will be grateful & not miss your company.