September 2, 2024, 4:03 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
To be honest, almost every traveler secretly hopes to sit next to an empty seat. After all, this eliminates several annoying situations: silly small talk, an argument about the armrest, and possible physical contact due to seats that are too narrow or passengers with wider hips. TRAVELBOOK reveals 8 tr how to increase the chances of sitting alone on an airplane.
Having an empty seat next to you on short-haul flights might seem like a luxury concern. On long-haul flights, however, extra space in economy class can make the difference between a good or bad mood, healthy or sore joints, relaxation or exhaustion. But no matter the flight’s duration, snagging a free row on the plane feels like an upgrade to business class for those in economy.
In fact, there are a few tricks for getting a seat on the plane without a seatmate and sitting alone – provided, of course, that the flight is not fully booked and that it is not the principle of free seat selection, as is usual with some airlines, but flights where the seat can be reserved or is fixed.
Tips for a free row of seats on the plane
- 1. Reserve as early as possible!
- 2. Book aisle and window seats as a couple!
- 3. As a solo traveler, book where an outside seat is already taken
- 4. It’s better to book the aisle seat
- 5. Book seats in the rear section
- 6. Reserve seats that cannot be reclined or can only be reclined a little
- 7. Check review sites for seats on the plane
- 8. Complain a little to the flight attendants
1. Reserve as early as possible!
Tip number 1 to be able to sit alone on the plane: Don’t wait too long. Otherwise, you run the risk of strategically important seats already being occupied. The earlier you book, the more choice you have.
2. Book aisle and window seats as a couple!
It’s normal to want to travel next to each other as a couple. But it’s even better if you have a whole row of three to yourselves. But this also means reserving the aisle and window seats and leaving the one in the middle free. If there is still a choice, other passengers on the plane will avoid the remaining middle seat, and you can sit alone in peace. If the plane is so full that someone sits in the middle, you can always offer the person a seat swap. The reason is simple: no one enjoys the middle seat, especially not sandwiched between a couple.
Incidentally, this also applies to groups of three and rows of four or five on the plane. With three people and a row of five, you should, therefore, choose the outermost and middle seats.
3. As a solo traveler, book where an outside seat is already taken
The principle is the same as for couples: Middle seats are always the last to be occupied on the plane. So, if you find a row in which the aisle or window seat is already taken, grab the outer seat that is still free so that the empty seat in the middle seat becomes unattractive and remains free. You are simulating a couple situation with an unknown fellow traveler, so to speak.
4. It’s better to book the aisle seat
There is a specific reason for this tip for a free row of seats on the plane. As soon as boarding is complete, you have the opportunity to get up quickly and sit in a better seat – one without a seat neighbor. This is especially true for flights where passengers are seated quite densely in some rows and other rows are almost empty. If you are sitting by the window, you hardly stand a chance in the spontaneous flash allocation of the better seats.
5. Book seats in the rear section
Many travelers prefer to fly in the front section, either because they assume the most privileged seats are there due to the proximity to Business or First Class or simply because they can leave the plane more quickly after the flight. These two factors and the fact that seats are often allocated according to the “front to back” principle ultimately lead to somewhat thinner rows of seats at the back. Therefore, The probability of sitting alone at the back of the plane is significantly higher.
6. Reserve seats that cannot be reclined or can only be reclined a little
These are usually the rows in front of an emergency exit or a wall. Due to the limited function of the backrests, these are less popular. This is why the chances of not having a seat neighbor are higher.
7. Check review sites for seats on the plane
Preferably reserve the less attractive, i.e. poorly rated seats. If someone is reluctant to sit next to you on the plane, there is the best chance of having an empty seat next to you and being able to sit alone. In case of doubt, two (or more) unattractive seats are still better than one attractive one. Seatguru, for example, provides an overview of the seats in many airplanes.
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8. Complain a little to the flight attendants
If you have any health problems – a damaged knee, headache, feeling unwell – then don’t hesitate to mention this to the flight attendants when boarding the plane. If you politely ask if there might be a free row of seats on the plane so that you can stretch out and get some rest, the staff on board will do their best to fulfill your request.