Get a Good Airplane Seat

Where you sit on a plane can affect your comfort and even set the tone for your vacation.  I hear lots of travellers complain about economy-class air travel…especially the small seats. Here are some ways you can increase your chances of flying with a bit more comfort…

First, get an idea of the layout and aircraft. You can see seat maps for almost all airlines and aircraft types on SeatGuru.com.

The fact of the matter is that all seats are not created equal, and SeatGuru will tell you which, airlines, planes and seats may have more legroom or are more desirable. Even though you won't necessarily give you more legroom, you will be more likely to have better in-flight entertainment.

Next, you can try flying on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Those are the least busy days for flying which means there is a better chance that middle seats will be open.

Upgrading to economy plus or business class will definitely increase your chances of a more comfortable flight…if you have frequent flyer miles stocked up, find out if cashing some in for a better class of service is an option.

And to ensure that you do get the seat you want…your best bet is to pay for seat selection.

Some airlines offer free seat selection at the time of check in within 24 hours of scheduled departure…but the chances of you getting a desirable seat like exit row or bulkhead seating this late in the game is pretty slim…you’re better off paying the extra $25-$50 depending on the airline to pre-assign your seats when you book your ticket.

Finally I recommend checking in online as soon as it opens – that’s typically 24 hours before your scheduled flight – often there are better seats available and occasionally the airline will allow you to upgrade for a reasonable fee if there are seats available.

So there you have it…some things to consider the next time you are planning to fly…now let’s take a look at some deals…