ARCHIVES BY The Travel Group

The Right Seat ~ Part II

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“Grande, extra hot, decaf, soy latte, please.” That’s the sort of thing you hear at your favourite coffee shop. If people are that particular about the coffee they drink, why shouldn’t they have strong preferences for where they will be sitting on an often crowded aircraft for hours? Aisle seat is the most requested. Statistically, twice as many people prefer an aisle seat to a window seat. Aisle seats allow you to get up without disturbing other passengers. They allow the quickest exit from the plane once you’ve landed. And, for some people who feel claustrophobic on planes, it gives a bit more sense of spaciousness and freedom. Unfortunately, there are only so many of these to go around.

If you fly a lot, you probably have “status” on one or two frequent-flyer programs, and therefore enjoy privileged access to the best seats on their affiliated airlines. Except, that is, when the flight is very full. Then, you’re in the same boat as everyone else. Airlines have been cutting capacity and refining their “inventory control systems” (ie. the science of over-selling flights as much as possible without getting caught), so more and more flights are going out full, leaving you limited seat choices unless you book six months in advance! In the U.S., flights ran a near-record 81% full in the month of March this year; so good seats have become harder to come by these days, regardless of your status.

Whether you are a frequent traveller or occasional one, here are some tips that might help you find that elusive “perfect” seat on your next flight.


Tips:

Ø Book further ahead. (Easier said than done, but your agent will offer to tentatively book a seat and hold it until you are ready to commit.)
Ø Check-in for your flight online. Many airlines, including Air Canada, British Airways, and even Southwest, now permit online check-in—in some cases up to 24 hours in advance. Take advantage of this, to get at the best seats.
Ø Even if you are not a high tier frequent-flyer, at check-in ask for a seat in the front rows. Often these seats have slightly better pitch.
Ø Pay a bit more for premium economy class—for example, Air Canada’s new “Club Class” on some international flights, British Airways’ “World Traveller Plus,” and United’s “Economy Plus.” Usually, these offer the same economy meal service, but give you the extra leg room that is more important. Some airlines, such as United, allow you to upgrade to this cabin for a very small charge at the airport.
Ø Reserve your seats at the time of booking. Your agent will never allow you to make the mistake of forgetting to pre-assign the best available seat at the time you book.
Ø Reconfirm the seats a day before the flight. Often airlines make last-minute changes to equipment; it can lead to a nasty surprise at the airport.
Ø Upgrade to business class. Either look for special business class fares or ask about using points to upgrade. (Air Canada does not offer points upgrades). If you are a high-tier member of a frequent-flyer program, make sure you let your agent know your status and wishes. He/she will automatically arrange for upgrades at the appropriate time and –equally important—make sure you pick airfares that permit upgrading. Many airlines, including Air Canada, restrict upgrades to certain higher airfares.
Ø Beware of online bookings. Most web sites, including Air Canada’s does not permit you to assign seats or even look at a seat map until you have paid for the ticket. You have no way of knowing if you will get a decent seat before you pay! Also, most online sites will not recognize your status with the airline, and therefore not offer you the preferred seats.
Ø Pass on your experiences to your agent, to better help him/her select the best seats for you on aircraft that you regularly fly. One of our clients, for instance, discovered that the “window seats” at row 13 on many types of Boeing 767s actually lack windows! We now know to avoid that row for this client.