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:
–8 Ways To Make Sure An Airline Doesn’t Lose Your Bag … And That You Don’t Get Robbed or Stalked
–The Trick For Getting Airport Luggage Carts for Free
–Airline Lost Your Luggage? Do This If You Want to Get Compensated
–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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Do you really mean it with a box of chocolates to the gate agents? :)
Wow, I would have never thought of some of these. I don’t travel alone often, so we can usually ask someone to switch seats with one of us, not the most crafty way to go about it, but it works most times. But I’ll have to try some of these, thanks Johnny
Wow! Please help me get some of these deals. I travel international twice a year to feed children, but I have never received anything free.
The Six Ways are all great!
I’d like to add the importance of KEEPING your best coach seat. Many families go out of their way and book tickets months in advance to ensure they all have seats next to each other, only to be split apart a few weeks before departure due to an aircraft or schedule change.
If you receive ANY notification from the airline, that there has been any kind of change (even if the only change was the flight number or the time changed by five minutes), be sure to double check your seat assignment(s)!
Excellent point! We book our flights way in advance and have been split up on the last two. I watch seat assignments Ike a hawk now!
Hey, I’m a travel writer/frequent coach flier and all for trying any of these tricks. I have used most of them or variants thereof successfully. Another tip — when travelling with another person in coach, I always book us the aisle and the window seat in the same row. Unless the flight is packed, the middle seat usually remains open, since no one wants to sit between two strangers. If it does get filled, one of us might offer to swap with that person, but not always!
Meanwhile, Johnny, can you explain this term? “…kindly request if they upgrade any of the frequent fliers to give you their plush coach seat (they are usually booked in the exit row or bulkhead).” What’s “the plush coach seat” if not in the exit row or bulkhead, which are booked?
Cheers,
Gillian Kendall
http://www.gilliankendall.org
Read more: https://johnnyjet.com/2012/09/six-ways-to-get-the-best-coach-seat-on-an-airplane/#ixzz276ynKP5E
Plush would be an aisle or window near the front of the plane.
Johnny, all good ideas. I especially endorse the most-favored-airline status. Without my knowledge but because I am a second-tier (out of four) frequent flyer with Delta, the airline entered me into the TSA PRE (as in pre-screened) program. For the past few flights I have been whisked through security without taking off belt or shoes or even hauling the laptop out of the backpack.
J,
I finally read the best six ways to improve your coach seat and would like to add a seventh:
Dress up!
Dress up!
The agent has occasionally actually upgraded me only because I look good compared to passengers in flipflops, muscle shirts and short-
shorts
I agree with this one. Too many people look like they are walking out of bed when they fly.
I thought if you looked too smart they would take it wrong.
Dress for success…simple as that. I was moved up to business class from Munich once and another time from London – 2 different airlines
I like to go to trade shows and speak with airline reps, especially for some of the start-ups like XL Airways France. Get to know the chief of customer relations and you might score that great seat. It’s a lot of work, but worth it for long-haul flights.
Where can i find the chief of customer relations?
When you book a flight on AA, their website will usually show very little availability of seats. They open all seats within 24 hours of the flights.
This may sound stupid, but exactly how do you gift the chocolates to the gate agents without feeling like you are offering a bribe? Is it awkward?
It’s not stupid. Best is to say something like this: I’ve been reading Johnny Jet’s Travel Newsletter and he says the best way to get on the gate agents good side is to be genuinely nice and bring them a box of chocolates. So here you go…
Thanks — I’m going to try that!
In Hawaii, it’s common practice to bring “omiyage” and hand them to a flight attendant after you sit down. Omiyage are usually small gift of candy or snacks from the place you’re travelling to or from. They really do appreciate and will show even more aloha when the food/drinks carts comes around. After talking to a few of my flight attendants friends, I discovered it’s a general practice in most airlines too.
I think it’s an excellent idea to provide an “omiyage” for the gate agents. I’m definitely doing this next time.
BTW: Excellent site! Thank you for the great info. I’m glad I found you on:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2012/08/30/how-to-get-cheapest-price-on-airfare/
Aloha
Great stuff, Johnny. Going to see if I can make these work on my way to Toronto. ; ) — Spud
These are all GREAT tips and I’ve used almost all of them and they do work!! Gate agents have alot of power when it comes to changing seats around.
Who are the gate agents or where can i find them? I see so many people until I do not know who is who.