How to Get an Empty Seat Next to You on a Flight

How to Get an Empty Seat Next to You on a Flight

Flying can be a stressful experience, particularly if you end up in a cramped space for several hours. One of the best ways to make your flight more comfortable is to have an empty seat next to you. This article will reveal some effective strategies to increase your chances of securing that extra space.

Choose the Right Flight

Timing is critical. Avoid peak travel times such as holidays, weekends, and Monday mornings or Friday evenings. Midweek flights often have more empty seats. The same goes for red-eye flights and very early or late departures. These tend to be less popular, increasing your odds of finding some empty space.

Pick Your Seat Wisely

When selecting your seat, try to opt for rows that are less likely to be filled. The back of the plane usually boards last and sometimes stays emptier. Avoid sitting near high-traffic areas like bathrooms and galleys. Middle seats tend to be the last to get picked, so sit in a window or aisle seat and hope the middle stays vacant.

Look for Flights with Multiple Open Seats

Before booking, check the seating chart. Many airline websites let you see which seats are already taken. If a flight looks nearly full, your chances are slimmer. Opt for flights showing many available seats. Airlines also sometimes show how many tickets remain at a particular fare class, so use this insight.

Set Seat Preferences

Most airlines allow you to set default seating preferences in your frequent flyer profile. Set these preferences to window or aisle seating to avoid middle seats. This won’t guarantee an empty seat next to you, but it helps avoid the least desirable seat placement.

Book an Alternate Seat Later

Book your flight and choose your seat initially. When your departure date approaches, check the seating chart again. If better options or entire empty rows appear, change your seat. This tactic often works best within 48 hours of the flight when last-minute bookings or cancellations happen.

Consider Paying for an Extra Seat

Some airlines allow passengers to purchase an extra seat for comfort. This costs more but guarantees the empty space. Purchase the extra seat during booking or add it later through the airline’s customer service.

Check in Early or Late

Each strategy has its own merits. Checking in early gives you more options if the flight is lightly booked. Airlines sometimes adjust seating to accommodate maximum capacity closer to departure. Checking in late might let you see which seats will likely remain empty. Use online check-in features for more control over your seat selection.

Watch for Cabin Changes

Aircraft changes can lead to different seating configurations. Monitor your booking for changes. If your flight changes aircraft, reselect your seat for possible better options or more private rows. Flexibility and fast action increase your chances.

Use Airline Status Perks

If you have frequent flyer status, leverage it. Preferred seating and upgrades often come with higher status levels. These perks increase your chances of scoring a seat with an empty adjacent seat. If possible, accumulate miles or book through an airline where you hold status.

Fly During Off-Peak Seasons

Avoid extremely busy travel seasons. Summer vacation, Christmas, and Thanksgiving see high passenger numbers. If your travel dates are flexible, choose less busy seasons, such as late winter or early spring. This naturally increases the chance of flying with fewer passengers.

Utilize Flight Alerts

Set up flight alerts for multiple options if your schedule allows. Websites and apps can notify you of price drops or seat availability. This gives you flexibility to choose a flight that might offer better seating arrangements.

Be Kind to Airline Staff

Politeness can go a long way. Gate agents and flight attendants have control over seating arrangements. Treat them with respect and kindness. While it’s not guaranteed, a friendly attitude might earn you an empty seat next to you, especially if they’re handling last-minute seating issues.

Check Seat Maps Frequently

Frequent checks on the seat map can reveal changes in seating availability. Log into your booking every few days, especially as the flight date approaches. This vigilance can help you move to a more desirable seat.

Ask at the Gate

Approach the gate agent before boarding. If the flight is not full, they may allow you to change seats. Even if you’ve checked in online, last-minute seat adjustments are possible through the gate staff.

Monitor Seats during Online Check-in

When checking in online, scan the available seats one last time. You’ll have a more updated view of the seating chart, reflecting recent bookings and cancellations. Switch your seat if a better option is open.

Understand Airline Seating Algorithms

Airlines often use algorithms to optimize seating. Understanding common practices, like filling the front and popular areas first, can inform your choices. Avoid such areas if possible and choose less popular spots.

Consider Flight Class

Upgrading to a higher class can increase your chances of more space. Business and Premium Economy often have fewer seats and more spacing. These classes are also less likely to be fully booked compared to Economy.

How Travel Companions Affect Seating

If traveling with a companion, book an aisle and window seat in the same row, leaving the middle seat empty. Others are less likely to choose this middle seat. If it ends up occupied, you can swap seats to sit together.

The Benefit of Split Bookings

Book separate tickets if traveling with another person. This strategy can scatter your seating options, offering better flexibility and the possibility of empty adjacent seats. Reconcile seating at the gate if needed.

Use a Mobile App for Seat Selection

Many airlines have mobile apps with more intuitive and real-time seat options. Use these apps to monitor seating and quickly change if better options appear.

Consider Seat Characteristics

Seats with specific characteristics, like those near emergency exits or with limited recline, can be less desirable. Choosing these might increase the chance of having an empty seat next to you because others avoid them. Ensure you comply with any restrictions, like being able-bodied for emergency exit seats.

Check & Recheck

Last-minute cancellations and upgrades frequently happen. Keep checking right up until boarding. Sometimes the best seats open up just before departure, giving you a shot at extra space.

Observe Flight Patterns

If you’re a frequent flyer, observe specific routes and times of the year when flights are less crowded. Building a knowledge base of these patterns can guide future bookings towards flights with more empty seats.

Leverage Social Media

Sometimes airlines announce low-occupancy flights or special deals on their social media channels. Follow airlines on platforms like Twitter and Facebook to catch these updates. Booking during such announcements could result in a less crowded flight.

With these strategies, you can greatly improve your chances of having an empty seat next to you on your next flight.