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Gadling's guide to getting better seats
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Face it. Riding in airplanes sucks. Even if you've got the best seat in the fleet you're still trapped in a stuffy aluminum tube at 30,000 feet among a herd of diseased, seat-crowding, distraught, unruly passengers and you're still going to be uncomfortable. And if you're really unlucky, you'll be in the back of the plane next to the bathroom with one guy sleeping on your shoulder and one another talking your ear off.Fear not, Gadlingers, there are ways to prevent pure misery in the skies, and I'm not talking about a bottle of Tylenol PM and 750mL of wine with dinner.
A little homework and research beforehand and you'll well-reduce your chances of airborne distress. At the very least you can have a little control over your seat on the plane and won't get the death sentence "see gate agent" message when you reach the airport and try to check in.We've broken down the process into a few basic steps. Since you're online reading this article right now we'll assume you know how to use the internet, so we'll show you a great web tool that you can use to help in your research. We'll also assume that you're flying on a legacy carrier and not from jankyair.ru; most seat booking tips go straight out the window when you start dealing with budget airlines.
NEXT:
Seat maps explained
Web tools and seat selection
Restrictions and openings
10 tips for smarter flying
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joli Jul 18th 2008 12:45PM
I usually travel alone so always pick the window seat. Not only do I wind up with only one fellow passenger to deal with, 50% of the time I have two seats to myself because a lot other people are traveling with someone and want to sit together.
I disagree with Tayla, though. I took a 9pm overnight flight to London and there were three grouchy toddlers in the next row who didn't go to sleep for five of the the seven hours we were flying and were very vocal about it. Would it be so wrong to drug the children a little with some Benedryl? They were obviously up past their bedtime and uncomfortable and so was everyone else.
Thanks for the seat advice! I will definitely be trying it out on my next overseas flight.
celia Jul 21st 2008 3:36AM
The first time I travelled to Hawaii, my seats were changed on the return trip. For the first 5 hours of the overnight flight, the 4-year old girl behind me screamed and carried on kicking my seat the entire time. Her mother did nothing to quiet her. This was in 1985 when the flight crew was not allowed to do anything. My second trip 11 years later wasn't much better. Again we were moved on the return trip. This time to the rear of the plane where there were more disruptions due to a group of physically/mentally challenged passengers. I walked the aisle carrying my 5-year old most of the night trying to get her to sleep. I swore if I ever went back to Hawaii, it would be in first class. Well, finally (I hope) I won't have to worry that I will be moved again. I will be travelling to Hawaii soon - in first class. The 4 tickets were purchased 330 days in advance for a $10 fee using miles I had been accumulating for years using a reward credit card. I direct-booked with the hotels and kept calling back to check on the rates. Last month I received a discount of $800 for my accomodations on Maui. Last week I asked again and got a free night saving me another $800.
Now, does anyone know how to get "free" access to the Admiral's Club? Aloha!
irocker350 Sep 16th 2008 1:33AM
The ONLY redeeming quality of air travel is speed cause everything else about it sucks.
BUT, 3 zanax and 3 beers before getting on zonked me right out on a flight from vegas to orlando, vagely remember the push back from the gate and next thing I hear is the catptain announcing or final approach into the orlando area, best flight ever, hope the people near me enjoyed my snoring, as I have been known to be a rather loud sleeper.
By the way I love flying and I love airplanes, just hate the commercial flights
Ann Sullivan Nov 23rd 2007 10:40AM
Kev:
Thought you might find this interesting.
Ann
Jo Nov 23rd 2007 3:41PM
Take your ear phones and i-pod or recorded book to avoid talkative seat mates.
Take gum & breath mints offer to share in case you get a seat mate that ate God knows what with garlic.
To avoid that rancid air and colds put just a touch of vasaline or vicks at the edge of your nostils.
To avoid pesky kids ask for the hatch door seat.
Arrive early, put those little thingies in the plastic bag and think about how much metal you have on you. Wear easy slip off shoes and please do not take the kitchen sink in your carry-on. RELAX, getting aggitated won't get you there any sooner.
evilmoocow1022 Nov 23rd 2007 7:26PM
Jo, that is great advise! so very true about getting angry won't get you to your destination any faster;-)
mel Nov 23rd 2007 4:28PM
Remember, you COULD be driving in a car for 2-3 times longer with YOUR kids arguing and kicking you from behind, and having to STOP somewhere to use a nasty gas station bathroom with unflushed poo in the toilet, no toilet paper, and a broken seat lid....
TB Nov 23rd 2007 4:48PM
#2
Wow you got it all figured out, the only thing I have to say your Vicks on the nostrils does NOT work. its an old myth that dies hard.
You sound a touch anti social but listen if that works for you its fine with me.
I have listen to many lovely and interestings peoples lifes on a flight and would NOT trade it for your advise.
Talya Nov 23rd 2007 5:51PM
I love talking to people - so if someone wants to talk to me on a flight that is fine with me it keeps my mind off of the fact that I am flying.
i will be flying to Disney next Saturday morning- I found that if you fly later at night the children are sleeping- but since I have a 6 year old who can be wigglely we fly early morning with the rest of the kids. I bring things to keep him busy-
The one thing is I always get sick when I fly- a head cold which is terrible because I have Lupus- any suggestions would be appreciated,