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Gadling's guide to getting betters seats: restrictions and openings
If you still can't reach eden after checking your seat online and rifling through the seatmap, fear not, there is still time. Many airlines release bulkhead and exit row seats 24 hours before departure (that is, once the checkin window opens). Try checking in for your flight at the 24 hour window; regardless of whether or not you're checking luggage or have means to print your boarding pass at that time (you can still check in and pick your seat at that time). Once you get to the airport you can always reprint your boarding pass or check your luggage.The key is to get online, check early and be aggressive in finding your seat. Remember that half of the other people on the plane are playing with their seats as well, so availability will change frequently up to departure time. Be proactive in your quest for a better seat now and you'll thank yourself when the time comes to fly.
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave Porcella Jul 17th 2008 5:03PM
As a former basketball player who's ONLY 6'6" tall, I can tell you that I see red whenever I've tried and tried to acquire an exit or bulkhead seat online and/or at the airport, only to find rows of short folks smugly settling into those seats because they've successfully gamed the system, probably using tricks from this website. Some airlines now have such bad coach legroom that I've stood in back for most of a flight. Listen folks, I can't WALK to Europe! If you really don't need the friggin' legroom, don't be a greedy pig. Get yourself a nice aisle seat somewhere else.
jenny Aug 6th 2008 6:52PM
Couldn't agree more. My husband is the same height as you are, and I'm almost 6' myself. We can usually get bulkhead/exit row seats by pleading our case at the ticket counter (they only have to look at us to see we need those seats), but when we cannot, it angers me beyond belief to see people who do not NEED those seats taking them. On a recent flight to Portland, my husband was so uncomfortable and could not extend his legs or straighten out his knees that he had trouble getting up at the end of the flight (and he's only 33 years old!). At least people reclining into him isn't a problem, because his knees completely block them from being able to do so.
I hate flying. It causes so much anxiety. But I do it a lot anyway.
David May 16th 2009 1:37PM
I hope all of you describing your entitlement to the best seats and first class upgrades are paying for your tickets YOURSELVES! As someone who for the last decade in retirement pays for his own ticket, I am a tad tired sitting next to a barely post teenager whose company pays for them to fly weekly and who winds up in first class next to my $1200 seat, guzzles their free booze until they can't speak in sentences, and spends their three hours playing video games or watching a movie on their company-purchaseed laptop. Fairness just isn't part of the airline industry.
James K. Poole Nov 19th 2007 1:46PM
We travel with our adult son, who is totally disabled. Since we can't afford First Class, we would like to be near the front of economy. Any ideas for beating restrictions on the better forward seats, e.g. United's "Economy Plus"? It seems to me that the airline is discriminating against the disabled by restricting these seats to other categories of passengers.
pegger Nov 20th 2007 3:59PM
As a former UAL employee let me explain how you can do this
1st of all you can call the airline and explain that you are traveling with a special needs passenger. HOWEVER they restrict for the most part only allowing 1 other person to sit with the disabled passenger. If you are nice enough and insist AND get someone from AMERICA that is sympathetic, they can open an additional seat for you. Handicapped seating is limited and it is usually bulkhead seating in premier seating so try to do this as early as possible, If they will not do this for you, go to the gate area ahead of time and talk to the gate agent. The gate agent or flilght attendant should be able to accomodate you. Remember, no matter what anyone else tells you, the flight attendants and flight crew are TOTALLY in charge once you board the plane and they have no qualms about changing someones seat to aid in disabilities.
Cinny Nov 20th 2007 8:54PM
Exit row seats are restricted to those able to assist Flight Attendants during an emergency. I'm surprised they assign them without visuals from the gate agent.
joe Nov 23rd 2007 3:17PM
Re: the original comment on Economy Plus seating. United uses this as a perk to get people to fly their airline and, after enough trips, you get Economy Plus as part of your frequent flyer upgrade package.
I also have a disabled son, so I understand the need for the seat. And the other writer is correct that usually the airline will accommodate if you ask. But ultimately, it is a 'better' seat, and anyone can get one by paying an upgrade charge, so you can assure yourself of the seat if any are available for something like an extra $25-$50.
I do feel for the airlines-- you need a seat to help with your son, but you don't sound like a frequent flyer, so you may not also be aware of the needs of someone who flies continuously for work on tight schedules, working on the plane between cities and meetings, or trying to catch some much-needed sleep because of what all that travel does to people, etc. I'm not minimizing your need, but I do have some sympathy for airlines that are asked to give everybody the 'best' seats (for one reason or another), with no one ever wanting to pay for that seat (including myself). Personally, I've seen them do a pretty good job of it, considering the competing issues they face. PS -- I hope everything does work out just the way you want it for your flight.
Holly Nov 23rd 2007 3:39PM
Hate to tell you this but the whole checking in early and picking your seats online does not guarantee that you'll get those seats. In fact, out of the 20 or so times I've tried that, I've only gotten the seats I picked twice. Usually I end up with a horrible back and middle seat or see the gate agent pass. Booking a seat online will not guarantee you that seat.
Marj Nov 23rd 2007 4:32PM
I have regularly used the seat selection when making online reservations for US Air/America West. I have always gotten the seats I selected. I am surprised that Holly has had such a bad experience with this.
Neal Nov 23rd 2007 3:50PM
Does anyone actually believe that any of these airlines really give a rat's derriere about customer service? Between outsourcing a significant portion of their front line customer service to Bangalore and Manila, reducing the pitch between seats, and failing to provide any of the creature comforts we are used to (except, of course, those for which they are able to levy a surcharge), the airlines are no better than the D.M.V.!!!
Rich Nov 23rd 2007 4:30PM
Delta is great to it's medallion level passengers, I get to pick any seat I want (and have never been asked to change it) and best of all, I get a free upgrade to First if there is a seat available 24 hours before I fly--no charge. I don't wait in line to go on the plane but use a priority access (Called Breezeway) to go right on and I skip the long security line as well.
Takng better care of your best customers is simply good business.
It only takes 25K Base miles a year to get it, IT gets even better at 50K and 100K base miles.
I fly a lo, I concentrate on one airline so I keep my elite status, not just go for the cheapest. I don't want to 'hear about your grandkids', sit next to howling kids or the person who lugs on bags and boxes of crap.
I need peace, I am willing to pay for it. Sitting with the more frequent flyers insures it.
I even have it written in my employment contract that ALL flights to Orlando must be in First Class..they laughed and said they completely understood.
You may say I sound elitist or try to say I hate children. You are wrong, I just travel so much that I need to relax in peace, not need to recouperate after landing. I have a meeting to make.
leila Nov 24th 2007 6:26PM
well said....whay should we "listen to" when we want our piece and quiet..and paid for it.
take care!
tony Nov 23rd 2007 5:47PM
Well Rich, the tiers are 25K, 50K and 75K on Delta currently. Last year they started additional perks for those of us that fly considerably more than the 75K level. 125K base miles landed a free Crown Room membership, though you need 150K base miles to get next year free (not to worry, I'm already there). Infrequent fliers need to remember that the upgrades provided to elite fliers open up the more coveted coach seats that they are moved from. On Delta, the platinums are upgraded 5 days prior, Gold 3 days prior and Silver 24 hours prior (those become good times to change seats). But, don't harbor a big grudge against those of us that get the upgrades and chooice seats, we earn it many times over, generally purchase higher fares, and would find travel hard to survive without some perks.
Deb Johnson Nov 24th 2007 8:30PM
EVERYONE want the best seat at the Concert, Theatre, Baseball Game. Football Game, Restuarant, and ON THE AIRPLANE. But the truth of the matter is the BEST, MOST LOYAL and THE Biggest Spenders get the BEST SEATS. My advice would be to pick one AIRLINE and try to reach ELITE status or pay for first class. You do not get GREAT customer SERVICE or PERKS if you are not a VIP or VIC ( Very important Customer)