Let’s be honest, being crammed like sardines into a relatively small tube for hours on end isn’t exactly ‘fun’. With airlines, location is everything. I’d love to simply suggest “Always fly first class”, but that is a luxury that most folks can’t afford on a regular basis.
Here are a few tips for making the decision on where to sit.
Window Seat
Window seats are good if you don’t plan to move much. It’s nice to have the wall of the plane to lean into for a little extra room.
Aisle Seat
Aisle seats are good if you have long legs, or know that you will need to be up and down a bit. It’s always awkward to ask the 2 people sitting next to you to wake up so you can go use the bathroom.
Front of Plane
There are a few reasons why the front of plane seats are more sought-after, and often cost more money. If you have a short connection, it’s great to get off the plane right away. Actually it’s always nice to get off the plane right away, I mean who wants to spend extra time on an airplane? Also you are closer to the bathrooms, and these seats are often slightly larger than the seats in the back. And for whatever reason, it’s always much louder in the back of the plane.
Emergency Row
As long as you are not a child, you can sit in the Emergency Row. Some airlines charge a premium to sit here. But if you can grab an emergency row seat, do it! You need to be able to answer the questions the flight attendant asks about being willing and able to help in an actual emergency. So don’t forget how important that is. If you can answer yes, you’ll be rewarded with a few extra inches of legroom and seats near the front of the plane.
Upgrade to Premium Economy
Premium Economy seats are available on the major airlines, such as Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines. These seats have more legroom, are towards the front of the plane, and offer added amenities such as free alcohol, entertainment and early boarding. They come at a premium cost, but they are much less than the price of a First Class ticket. And oftentimes, you can justify the cost for the experience. Consider this option if you have to fly across the country, or take an overnight flight and go right to work when you land. It’s totally worth it.
Contact your Must Love Travel Planner today!
Thank you. These are good tips.
Another set of tips to offer may be ‘getting through security ( without sending fellow passengers insane’. As a regular business traveller I have the drill down pat. Shoes,purse,jacket into a bin. Take out laptop, into a bin. Computer case, into a bin. Take out toothpaste. Roller bag into a bin. Done. No bottled water. No soup.
It’s a horror if you get behind a tour. Loose floppy backpack or purse onto the rollers. Reminded by security to put it in a bin. Didn’t take off belt and was reminded. 2 large bottles of water in a bag. Their stuff is coming back, less water, to go through scan. The most amazing I saw included 16 snack size containers of apple sauce. Slows everything down. Most of the time cruise travellers don’t get sent over to the priority line. When they do, it is interesting. And the number who have not left enough time to go through, sigh. Then some are crabby ( when they are the ones late and disorganized). I fly almost every week for business and I give the 2 hours before flight for domestic. When I zip through, I can have a coffee and catch up on reading. .