AirTran offers its best seats for a price

Ever spend many hours in a cramped middle seat and think to yourself, “I would pay anything for a more comfortable airline seat?” Well, with AirTran, you could pay as little as $7.50 to $140 for a better seat.

Beginning in June, the airline started charging passengers who wished to receive seat assignments in advance. For $7.50 each way, a flyer can lock in an aisle or window seat, and for $20, that flyer can reserve an even roomier exit-row seat. Sure, a free seat assignment would be nicer, but the option to pick your spot is better than duking it out for the best spot on the gangway.

But maybe you’re not satisfied with an aisle seat in coach class, and are looking for an affordable way to get to the front of the plane. Currently, AirTran is allowing any traveler to upgrade from coach to business for $40 to $80 per nonstop flight or $80 to $140 per connecting flight. Previously, only passengers who purchased pricey Y-class coach fares had the option to upgrade. If you’d like to take advantage of this offer before it disappears, you can request an upgrade from a gate agent or through a check-in kiosk. Consider it your incentive to get to the airport extra early.