How To Switch To A Better Plane Seat
The last time the kids and I flew to Europe our seats were no great shakes, but they suited our particular needs just fine. I was even able to get a little work done on my laptop!
by Wendy Perrin
A great question came in from loyal reader Lori B. re: the SeatGuru vs. SeatExpert debate:
"Isn't the real question this: Is it even possible to get a good seat on an aircraft these days? The airlines are 'saving' so many of their best seats for their preferred flyers, that for the infrequent flyer your choice is often the best of the worst. I have found that often you can change to those saved seats on the day of departure, but this works best if you have just one or two people to rearrange."
I too have found that you can often switch to a better seat on the day of departure. Two strategies I use:
(1) Ask the gate agent if an exit-row seat is available. These are typically assigned at the gate rather than in advance.
When I flew to Boston on Continental last week, I ended up in what I consider to be the best seat on the plane: an aisle seat in the emergency-exit row -- which meant I had extra legroom. It's definitely not frequent-flier status that got me there, though, since I have zero status with Continental. I got there because when I arrived at the gate I asked the gate agent if an exit-row seat was available.
(2) Ask the gate agent if he/she can please move you to a seat next to an empty seat.
I find it helps when I point to my laptop and say that I'm desperate to get work done on the flight and having the extra elbow room would help a lot. (Everyone knows how tough it is to type on a laptop in coach when the passenger in front of you has reclined his seat right into your computer. With an empty seat next to me I can position my laptop on the traytable next door).
You're right, Lori, it's tough to switch seats when you've got more than one or two people. Tomorrow night, when Tim and the boys and I fly to Spain, there's no way we'll be able to move: Children aren't allowed in exit rows, and the plane is packed.
Note to anyone who thinks flying to Spain sounds like a cool way to spend Valentine's Day: Both my 4- and 5-year-old have an ear infection and head cold (for which they are on antibiotics). One of my fave hotel blogs, Kitty Bean Yancey's Hotel Hotsheet, reports that, according to a survey of 1,000 U.S. women, the Valentine's gift they'd like most is a trip. Clearly they didn't survey me.
Before I stock up on Children's Sudafed and bubble gum, anyone got any tried-and-true tips for lessening congested children's ear pain on flights?
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A couple home remedies I have heard of (I don't know how effective they are though)
ear plugs - they help equalize the exterior and interior ear pressure?
warm compresses - heat cloth with pretty warm water and hold over the ears - it may help open up the passages.
hard candy or lollipops - anything they have to suck on usually helps.
Good Luck ! Lori B
Posted by: lorib | February 13, 2008 at 06:14 PM
There are some other ways for an infrequent flyer to get better seats.
On some airlines you can pay a small amount to get a better seat. The payment could be per flight, or per year. For example United allows purchase of Economy Plus for a modest amount - join the elites in the forward economy rows. Some other airlines (typically low cost carriers) will allow the front (bulkhead) row or exit row to be pre-booked for a small payment.
It is always worth asking politely at check in if you can get a better seat. If the airline has processed some upgrades within the last 24 hours of departure there may be some good seats vacated (the elites got their upgrades and you can get their good seats).
As you mentioned Wendy, an empty seat in the same row can be a big help. On flights that typically are not totally full you can select seats to increase your odds of a spare seat. Eg if 2 people choose the 2 aisle seats in the middle set of 3 seats or window and aisle. Middle seats are the last ones to get picked (voluntarily) so you could get lucky. If not, then most passengers in the middle will happily swap with one of your aisle or window seats so you can still sit together.
Posted by: TheGlobalTraveller | February 14, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Saline nose drops help a lot with the conjestion. You can buy them at any drugstore (or make your own). For little guys, try to avoid the spray bottles & get the drops instead. You can usually get them to tilt their heads back and squeeze a few drops in.
Once you're in Spain, you can buy the nose drops in individual "serving sizes" at a Pharmacy. The small containers are great for travel & also for squirmy little kids who tend to get the container all gunky while you're trying to get the drops in.
Have a great time in Spain. My toddler is still talking about the Gondola ride in Barcelona and the delights of churros & chocolate.
Debbie
http://www.deliciousbaby.com
Posted by: debbied | February 14, 2008 at 02:05 AM
It would be nice if the airlines would cooperate in the search for a good seat. I returned on Tuesday from a Tel Aviv-Newark flight on Continental. The flight was more than half empty and the Continental Elite passengers had reserved for the front of the Economy section which is earmarked for them until Continental's computer takes over. Many other seats were assigned within the last 24 hours prior to the flight and, as always, Continental placed everyone (!) in that same section leaving the rear empty. This doesn't make sense. Why not let your Elite passengers get a little more elbow room with an empty seat next to them? Instead Elite and non-Elite scrambled for the best configurations when the airline could have done it for them with far less confusion. Why don't they load from the rear when their computers do the final seating? Any explanations? I've suggested this to Continental twice but I always get the boilerplate answers. Strange.
Posted by: savtaro | February 14, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Hehe...I just got back from a business trip to San Francisco, so I'm just now catching up on your blog, Wendy :)
I managed to wrangle an upgrade to First class on American, despite no status, by offering to give up my seat on a flight that was overbooked, and take a later flight. In addition I also got a travel voucher. It really helps to sweet talk the gate agent :D
I wound up sitting around the airport for four and a half hours, but well worth it to sit in first class! So if you're not in a hurry to be where you're going, you could manage to get a lot out of them when they've oversold the flight.
Posted by: tracker1312 | February 22, 2008 at 09:22 PM
I have written a similar post on my blog; www.reemg.com , with vast experience of traveling for business, traveling with kids, and most of all being a corporate travel agent for over 17 years I truly agree with all written above; Reem Greiver: www.reemg.com
Posted by: Reemg | May 12, 2008 at 04:13 AM