In-Flight Experience

10 Ways to Get the Best Airplane Seat


The Editors
The Editors

10 Ways to Get the Best Seat on the Plane

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    We’ve all been there—the small child kicking the back of your seat, the lack of legroom, the war over the armrest. While there’s no fail-safe way to guarantee an aisle seat in the exit row near the front of the plane with no one sitting next to you, some tactics can help. Check out the following tips for nabbing one of the best seats on a plane.

  • The Best Place to Sit on a Plane

  • Woman reading on plane
    tonefotografia | Adobe Stock

    Not all coach seats are created equal. The best seat depends on your personal travel style. However, exit rows, aisle or window seats, and seats close to the front are typically considered the best seats on a plane.

    Want to get off the plane quickly? Choose an aisle seat near the fron

    Have an overnight flight? A window seat you can lean against and not be disturbed is the best spot for a long haul flight. (The drawback to this, of course is that you’ll need to disturb your seatmates each time you need to go to the bathroom.)

    Nervous flyer? Sit toward the middle of the plane over the wing, where there is less turbulence.

    Want extra legroom? Exit row seats usually offer a bit more legroom. Also, look for “bulkhead seats,” which are directly behind the physical barriers (such as walls, curtains, or screens) that separate different parts of the plane. But be careful: Not all “bulkhead” rows are created equal. On some planes, the first bulkhead row may be cramped and uncomfortable, or it may be close to restrooms and noisy galleys. Some exit rows don’t allow you to recline, either.

    Want the safest spot? Opt for a seat near the rear.

    Each airline presents a unique set of challenges to flyers, say the experts at SeatGuru: “Not all legroom is equal since there is no industry standard. Before booking your flight, take a look to see which airlines fly that route and then check to see how they stack up against each other." For more information, go to SeatGuru.com, where you can check out seat maps for nearly every type of plane on every major airline

    We can all agree that the middle seat in any row is generally undesirable. (Don’t miss SmarterTravel’s tips for surviving the middle seat if you get stuck there.) Rows near flight attendant areas and restrooms tend to be noisier and have more traffic, and seats very close to overhead movie screens can be uncomfortable or too bright if you are trying to sleep. SeatGuru also identifies other potential problems on its seat maps, such as limited recline or reduced seat width.

    Related:The Worst Seats on a Plane (and How to Avoid Them)

  • 10 Ways to Get a Better Seat

  • Aisle between rows of full airplane seats
    Pavel Losevsky | Adobe Stock

    So how can you avoid the pitfalls above and land one of the best seats on a plane? Follow these tips.

    1. Join a frequent flyer program.

    This is the most reliable tactic you can use. Providing your frequent flyer number at the time of reservation goes a long way toward netting you a good seat, especially if you are a loyal, high-ranking member. Elite flyers tend to be first in line for upgrades.

    To achieve status, you’ll have to fly at least 25,000 actual air miles in a calendar year on one particular airline or its partners. Hang onto your boarding passes until you check your online account to ensure your miles have been credited. Once you've racked up some frequent flyer miles, you may use them for seat upgrades. Boost your earning power by signing up for an airline-affiliated credit card with signing bonuses of 40,000 miles or more.

    2. Book Early for the Best Seat Selection

    The earlier you book your flight, the more seats are available and the bigger your pool is to pick from. Try for a flight on a Tuesday or Wednesday when it’s less busy, leaving more middle seats open so you have more wiggle room beside you while sitting on the aisle or by the window.

    If you can’t buy your tickets at least several weeks in advance, check in online as soon as possible before your flight to select a seat, or arrive at the airport early if online check-in isn’t available. When you're seat shopping, don’t assume business class costs much more than coach. Sometimes, you can get a nonrefundable deal for a first or business class seat for just a bit more.

    3. Pay for extra legroom.

    Many airlines now offer economy-class seats with extra legroom for an additional fee. For example, JetBlue’s Even More Space seats, many of which are in exit rows, have up to seven extra inches of seat pitch. United offers Economy Plus access to high-ranking frequent flyers and to any travelers who pay the annual fee. This entitles you to a few extra inches of seat pitch toward the front of the coach cabin. (If any Economy Plus seats are still available at flight time, they can be purchased on a one-time basis.) Other airlines offer similar programs.

    Make sure you understand what you’re getting for the money. You may be closer to the front of the cabin, but that might be all you’re buying since no perks (like meals) come with your “upgraded” coach seat.

    Best Economy Seats on Popular Airlines

    • JetBlue: Even More Space seats (exit rows and front rows)
    • Delta: Comfort+ seats with extra pitch and recline
    • United: Economy Plus, available to elites or for purchase
    • Southwest: Check in exactly 24 hours ahead—no assigned seats (changing in 2026)
    • Alaska: Premium Class for more legroom and early boarding

    4. Select your seat at booking.

    Most airline websites and booking engines allow you to choose a seat when you purchase your ticket or to return to your reservation after your initial purchase and select a seat later. This process is often free, but some airlines have added fees for advanced seat selection. If you don’t see a seat you like, return to your reservation as your trip date approaches to see if anything has opened up.

    Related:The Ultimate Guide to Online Check-In for Flights

    If you try to select your seat once you’ve booked your flight, you might see that only the more expensive premium economy seats are available. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a seat eventually. You may get the premium economy seat when you check in online—without paying extra.

    5. Check in early.

    Most airlines allow passengers to check in online 24 hours before their flight departs. At that point, you can confirm your chosen seat or select a better one. Watch for last-minute offers for discounted upgrades on premium economy and business-class seats. Failing that, many airlines hold back the exit rows and bulkheads—the most coveted seats in economy class—until the day of flight so they can be assigned at the airport. You still have a good shot of getting into those more popular rows.

    6. Call The Airline Directly

    If online seat assignment is not available, consider calling the airline directly. An airline representative might reveal blocked or recently released seats. It never hurts to ask, especially if you have specific needs.

    7. Get to the airport early.

    If you check in too late or arrive too late at your gate, the airline might give away your seat. Follow the airline’s guidelines about how far in advance you should arrive for domestic and international flights.

    8. Use Seat Alert Tools

    Short on time or don't want to keep looking? You can set up a seat alert through ExpertFlyer.com. A single alert is free, but subsequent alerts are charged at $0.99 each.

    9. Ask Politely at the Gate

    Long gone are the days when asking sweetly could get you a first-class upgrade on a flight, but it’s worth a try if you're not satisfied with your current seat assignment. Once you reach your gate, ask whether any new seats have opened up. If other passengers upgrade to business class or don’t show up for the flight, you might get lucky and grab a better seat assignment. Be courteous, specific ("Is there an aisle seat closer to the front?"), and ask if anything has opened up.

    10. Be Flexible (and Kind)

    Approach airline agents with courtesy. They hear complaints and demands all day. Speak to them kindly, and you may be surprised. Says SeatGuru, "Keeping the phrase ‘treat others the same way you want to be treated’ in mind and following that can unlock a lot of doors for you."

  • Bonus Tips: Seat Selection Etiquette and Special Cases

    • Traveling with kids or a medical condition? Inform the airline early so they can assist with seating.
    • Switching seats onboard? Always ask a flight attendant first.
    • Kindness counts. Treating airline staff respectfully can go a long way in scoring a better seat.