If you have econophobia like me, then you definitely dread getting stuck in a middle seat or in the back of the plane. I don’t know many people, except for my late father (he loved to talk to strangers), who like getting stuck between two strangers. Here’s how to get the best coach seat possible.
1. Get elite status
Acquiring elite status is the easiest way to secure the best possible coach seat(s). That’s because most airlines allow their frequent fliers to sit in the highly sought-after extra legroom rows for free. Attaining elite status is not that difficult, especially for business travelers. Usually, you just need to accumulate a certain number of miles or spend a certain dollar amount in a year on one particular airline or its partners. There are also a number of credit cards, which will help you attain this goal. For instance, several co-brand airline credit cards not only come with automatic elite status, but also offer perks like free bags, TSA PreCheck, priority boarding, and some of the best limited-time credit card bonuses that we’ve seen this summer.
2. Keep checking
2. Keep checkingIf you book a ticket last-minute (like I usually do)—even if you’re a frequent flyer—chances are that the golden seats will already be gone. But don’t fret because the good seats will most likely still open up. The trick is to keep checking your reservation and seat chart every hour or so because the best seats are usually being reserved by frequent fliers. In most cases, one or some of them will either be upgraded to first class or they will cancel their trip.
I usually begin checking a month before and then really start looking a few days before departure and continue until I get the seat(s) I want. For example, the screenshot above is from our family trip to the East Coast. I booked the tickets just a days before and we were all in the back. But I had a feeling those in the good seats (extra legroom towards the front of the plane) would open up. And you know what? They did.
3. Set a seat alert
If you don’t have time to keep checking your reservation, then set a seat alert with ExpertFlyer.com. They don’t charge for a single seat alert, but if you want to set more at once, you can buy more seat alerts for only $0.99 each or sign up for a Basic or Premium account, which start at $4.99 per month. I successfully use it two weeks ago when flying New York to L.A. and I really wanted to get the exit row aisle. Sure enough, the seat opened up when a frequent flier got upgraded. I snagged the best seat in coach. Then a day later, I got upgraded to Business (woo-hoo!) Here’s our guide on how to use Expert Flyer since it’s not the easiest website to maneuver.
4. Pay extra
Most airlines will sell you a better coach seat. But if you’re going to pay, just make sure you’re getting something for your money (like more legroom) because some airlines (ahem, American) charge for being toward the front of the cabin with no extra anything. Don’t be fooled.
5. Get the bulkhead/emergency row
Get an emergency row or bulkhead seat. Emergency row and bulkhead seats usually have a lot more legroom than the other seats do, and that’s why airlines charge more for them. Whenever I’m in one and have a long flight, after takeoff I bring down my rolling briefcase from the overhead bin and put a blanket, pillow or sweatshirt on it and turn it into a leg rest. Sometimes, I even have more legroom than first class passengers. Just be sure to stow it before landing.
6. Be friendly
One of the best ways to get a great coach seat for free is, simply enough, to be super-friendly to the gate agents (I usually bring them chocolates) and kindly request if they upgrade any of the frequent fliers, to give you their plush coach seat. These fliers are usually booked in an exit row or bulkhead seat.
7. Use SeatGuru
To find out which seats are the best on a particular aircraft, consult SeatGuru.com (SG) and aeroLOPA. SG highlights the best seats in green and list exactly how much legroom and pitch each one has. They also inform you if there are power ports or personal TVs. Keep in mind that airlines can change aircraft types at the last minute so there are no guarantees. Still, more information will help!
8. Don’t buy terrible seats
Reader Rakesh Agrawal recently reminded me of another strategy. “I was talking to someone who paid for a middle seat in the back of the plane. Don’t buy it. Worst case scenario: you’ll get a middle seat in the back of the plane when you check in.” Good advice!
As you can see, it sometimes does take time to get the best seat on the plane but having extra space or legroom can make or break your trip.
Let me know in the comments below if these tips helped or if you have any tricks up your sleeve that I missed!
This post was updated on February 3, 2025. It was originally published in 2012.
KEEP READING:
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–Why Frequent Fliers Use Apple AirTags or Samsung SmartTags When They Travel
–An Airline Executive’s Number One Tip for Avoiding Lost Luggage When You Fly
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On my recent flights, there was a cost to pick ANY seat, so the only thing one can do is pay extra!
SEAT GURU is oudated and no longer supported
Hi. I always read all and appreciate all you write, so thanks.
Just a quick question- do they really respond to the chocolates? gate check? what types- like a bar, or Whitman’s sampler, or Hershey kisses, or more expensive?
Thanks a lot!
Each agent is different and the most important thing is to be sincere and to time it right. I usually just have bags of Hershey Kisses
OMG! Never EVER block an airplane’s emergency exits or even think about taking up an emergency row seat unless your ready, willing & able to perform the duties that go with it (knowing when to, opening the exit door then helping folks exit the airplane in an emergency)!
NEVER even consider that asinine suggestion to use a suitcase as a footstool – thus block the emergency exit! How stupid, selfish & inconsiderate can you get? Anyone that does that should be booted from flying commercially – for life! That potentially puts everyone in your area – possibly the entire plane’s (in certain conditions) worth of passengers in danger of being unable to exit in an emergency- or. minimally, slow the egress down, causing injuries if not deaths. (All airplanes are REQUIRED to be able to clear within 90 SECONDS to provide proper egress security). Far less how any Flight Attendants allowed that to happen is unfathomable… I’m sure the FAA would have a field day if they found out!
Shease people! How selfish & ignorant can you get? Leave the exit rows to those that are tall, need the extra room & are willing & capable of helping if an emergency does occur!
Yes, flying is very safe these days – but stuff can & still does happen…. When it does, it’s usually in a huge hurry & provides little if any warning – far less time & the ability to restore your suitcase in an overhead bin (where it should stay throughout the flight). Consider all aboard vs just your own comfort! If you “need” more “comfort” than is normally offered, hire a personal jet…. I’m sure the rest of us less selfish folks will be grateful & not miss your company.
Ana Harper – I couldn’t agree with you more. I feel physically ill when I smell a smoker that is just covered in cigarette smell its in their hair and skin and their breath smells like death which isn’t too far away in my opinion for people who smoke. It is a disgusting habit
I was surprised at Roberta’s response until I looked at the dates on the various comments. Especially since the pandemic, regulations have changed drastically and some people are showing their ugly side. Numerous stories of people refusing to change seats, airline personnel getting attacked verbally and physically and of people behaving so badly that the airline will escort them off the plane and, in some cases, turn the plane around. I thought the candy was a great idea but realize that it could be awkward for the recipient. Around the winter holiday when the miniature candy canes come out, I fill my coat pockets and give one or two to random people, friends, store clerks, bank tellers, etc. Even as they utter a surprised “oh”, I’m walking away. PS. I fly Southwest, no assigned seats, generous baggage and, as I experienced when my wallet was lost and stolen in the terminal, able to get onboard without ID. Just a more thorough luggage and body check.
Totally agreed with your comments. Tried all with no luck.
When I was in the military and traveled by air, I wore my dress uniform. The airlines would usually move me to a first-class seat. I was all ways very polite and respectful of the staff. Never got drunk or caused the stewards any grief. For twenty years this seemed to work very well for me. I don’t travel by air anymore, most of my travel is by auto or train so that I can see America first and last as I have traveled the Orient and Europe extensively.
I’d rather drive my car and ignore all of the above, frankly.
I think people who smoke should still (even though thank God they can’t smoke on a plane now) be seated in a secluded section. Was feeling very sick sitting next to a woman who reeked secondhand smoke, had to make a plea to be moved. Luckily, I was moved.
I have tried all of the above without luck – always well dressed, courteous. Have had gate agents tell me theyare not allowed to accept gifts (candy, etc.). The airlines want our money time and again. Don’t hold your breath with any of these suggestions to get upgraded or improved seat assignments. My motto is always “what you see is what you get”. Seat Guru help initially with seat selection but again, there are not guarantees. My group has been split time and again for somebody like a single parent with a kid. How about me and my husband each wanting to sit next to one of our own kids. Nervy of gate attendants in my book
Amazing tips! Will have to make use of Seat Guru, Seat Expert and Expert Flyer for my next flight!
Wow! This looks incredible post and information. These are really very best things you shared and beautiful pictures you capture. I would love to go there.
At least on United, you don’t have to wait to check in. The normal seat selection function when you view your reservation is not available to change your seat but all you have to do is go through the check in process again and you can change your seat.
Their web site (on the normal seat selector) actually points you to the check in process to update your seat.
If you hope to get a real upgrade, checking in early helps since final determination of where you are on the upgrade list is time of check-in (behind FF status, cost of ticket/fare class, <>).
Great tips! Just wanted to add that if you are sitting in the emergency row, you must be physically capable and willing to perform emergency actions when seated in emergency or exit rows and you must be 15 years of age or older. They will ask if you agree to these conditions and we almost lost our seats when my wife said “No”. I had to do some fast talking to reassure the airline that my wife would act in emergency.
Why do you keep repeating this bad information? Surely you must know that United at least has a strong pecking order for premium seats (primarily elite status and how much you paid for your ticket). Gate agents can be fired if they give away economy plus seats when there are elites on the waiting list who don’t get these seats. And suggesting that flyers gain elite status is correct. On heavily trafficked routes, an elite (silver) with 25K has only a tiny chance of getting a bulkhead seat. Dressing up sounds like a good strategy but a regular passenger in a 3 piece suit will easily be bumped by an elite in shorts and flip flops.
Great tips for a first time flier like me. Will come in really handy. Thanks.
Oh great, I’ll keep that in mind for the next time I fly. Couldn’t hurt to be bumped up a notch.