Comments on: Getting A Good Seat on a Plane

By: Dr. Jim Anderson

Dr. Jim Anderson — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:28:56 +0000

Great post! The one thing that I would add is that you can always improve your odds of getting a good seat or even an upgrade if you treat the airport staff with respect. It's a lousy job and rarely do they ever encounter somebody who is in a good mood. Be nice and show interest in them and magical things can happen... - Dr. Jim Anderson The Accidental Communicator Blog "Learn How To intimately connect with your audience in order to make an lasting impact in their lives."

By: Funkstop

Funkstop — Sat, 23 May 2009 19:15:12 +0000

Great article!
One drawback of checking in on line (for Air Canada at least), is that if for some reason you need to change your flight, you can only do so at the airport.

This was the case for me last year.

if you want to know which seats are the best on a particular airline’s plane. Try http://www.seatguru.com

By: Robert Sansom

Robert Sansom — Sat, 23 May 2009 18:58:07 +0000

Now if there was only a strategy for guaranteeing that you can get a seat far-enough away from someone who wears too much cologne. I was coming back from Paris last week, and the passenger in the seat in front of me must have been bathed in cheap cologne before boarding. I now know I can hold my breath for 7 hours!

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:37:31 +0000

Boris, you may be right. If there are no economy seats available, they do sometimes upgrade you IF you are a frequent flyer. Sounds like you are a Virgin Airlines fan…just guessing given your “Upper Class” comment. Me too.

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:33:33 +0000

Gareth…I totally agree with your bulkhead comment. I love them…if I can get them. When I used to have an allegiance to United, the bulkhead seat was always an option (typically 3F was my seat of choice, as first class was rows 1 and 2). But now that I fly whichever airline gives me the best/shortest route, I don’t have that option anymore (unless I want to pay for the Economy Plus upgrade). But if you can get them, take them. But try to board early as possible since you have to stow ALL of your luggage up top since there isn’t any (or limited) space in front of you.

Mark…another excellent reason to go for the window seat. Also, when flying British Airways Business Class, I love the fact that the seats face backwards. There is something surreal it.

By: Gareth Garvey

Gareth Garvey — Mon, 18 May 2009 08:40:01 +0000

Its good to know your airlines and their predominant seat configuration. eg I have 2c marked as my favourite seat in SASs system. Many of their flights are configured without 1a to 1c and 2c gives unlimited legroom as the bulkhead does not come out as far as C. This gives a quick exit and access to the first taxi or an earlier train when travelling in Scandinavia.

If I have checked in luggage I prefer something towards the back, much like you. I then sit and wait and read until the plane is nearly empty. This makes use of the time and reduces waiting in the baggage hall.

Another key question for me is….

HOW do you increase the chances of your baggage coming first onto the baggage carrosel. See you in CPH

By: Boris Pluskowski

Boris Pluskowski — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:12:36 +0000

I’ve noticed that, on international flights at least, I seem to be exponentially more likely to get a free upgrade the later I check in…it’s a bit of a gamble admittedly, as you’ll either be stuck in middle seat hell, or Upper Class bliss…

Boris
http://www.completeinnovator.com

By: Mark Turrell

Mark Turrell — Sat, 16 May 2009 15:47:29 +0000

For transatlantic flights I highly recommend window seats. If you get an aisle seat, you get whacked by the flight attendents’ cart and you have to keep getting up for someone else to go to the toilet.

By: Stephen Shapiro

Stephen Shapiro — Sat, 16 May 2009 01:19:13 +0000

Thanks for your comment Gary. I flew 8 legs over the last 2 weeks, and each boarded from the back first. Sometimes they used zones (like United and American) which still correlate to rows. Frequent flyers may get a zone 1 which allows them to board first. Jet Blue and Midwest boarded by row number with no special treatment for frequent travelers. As far as I can tell, this practice is still widely used.

By: Gary Petersen

Gary Petersen — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:21:18 +0000

Are there airlines that still board from the back of the aircraft forward? I fly a fair amount and it has been years since I’ve seen that done. Which airlines still board that way?