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Most frequent flyers have come to accept that the days of 99-cent flights are gone for good, but what’s even more painful than forking over our hard-earned cash for more expensive airfare is those annoying little extras.

 

To avoid the dreaded middle seat or to secure a comfortable spot with extra leg room, many of us give in and reserve our chosen place on the plane, but these days this luxury comes at a premium.

 

But you can avoid breaking the bank this summer and still nab the best seat in the house by following a few simple tips.

 

 

Standard, free check-in is usually available several days in advance of your flight and so many people download their boarding passes at the earliest possible opportunity just to be on the safe side.

 

This is a big mistake and almost guaranteed to land you right at the back of the plane, and in a middle seat to boot. This is because airlines usually assign the ‘random’ seats from back to front, and offload the less-desirable spots first, so that passengers are more likely to pay to put at the front. Plus, the front of the plane tends to be roomier and more comfortable.

 

To avoid paying extra, wait until the last minute to check in, as this will give you a better chance of being assigned a place at the front or even the holy grail that is the emergency exit seat, complete with added leg room.

 

 

Some airlines still allow passengers to check in at the airport rather than in advance online for no extra charge. This is a good bet if you have the option, since you can simply ask the staff member if the seat you want is available.

 

When it comes to the emergency exit seats, pregnant women and children aren’t allowed to book these places as, in case of emergency, they would have to open the doors. Another little-known fact is that airlines like people sitting here to speak their language so they can communicate clearly if things go wrong.

 

So if you fit the description, always ask if these seats are available, since the crew generally prefer to have them full rather than empty.

 

 

If you’re absolutely adamant that you want to reserve a seat and pay the extra charge, by all means go for it, but in this case you need to check in as early as possible to ensure your preferred spot is available.

 

One risky manoeuvre if you’re travelling alone is to book the middle seat, as there’s a good chance one spot on either side of you will remain empty, giving you more space. This is a roll of the dice though, as you’ll be squished between two other passengers if the flight is full.

 

If, on the other hand, you are travelling as a couple, reserve the window and aisle seats in the same row, since most other passengers will choose not to sit between two strangers if they have the choice.

 

 

If you’re still unhappy with your allocated spot once you board the plane, your last resort is to ask a flight attendant to move you to another empty spot (if there’s one available). Most of the time, airline staff are happy to oblige.

 

 

Image: Freepik