Don’t Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Know Your Airplane
When it comes to booking an airplane ticket, most travelers focus solely on things like price, departure times, and non-stop options. But seasoned jet-setters know that choosing the right airplane can be just as critical for a comfortable flight. After all, not all aircraft are created equal when it comes to seat size, legroom, and amenities. That's why it pays to do your homework on the specific plane you'll be flying before you book.
The first thing to research is the airline's different configurations for that aircraft type. For example, Delta flies multiple versions of the Airbus A320. Some A320s have first class while others are configured as all-economy. The versions with first class tend to have slightly more legroom in coach. Additionally, a United 777-300ER may have Polaris business class while an older 777-200 only offers standard recliner seats up front. Knowing the amenities you want will help narrow your options.
It's also crucial to pin down the exact cabin layout for your potential flight. While Boeing 737s generally have six-abreast seating in coach, the specific incarnation operating your route could have a less cramped configuration. Check seat maps to see if your plane has desirable bulkhead or exit row seats, which typically provide extra legroom. Use tools like SeatGuru and Routehappy to compare measurements and amenities across different cabins on a given aircraft.
Keep operating airline in mind as well. Certain carriers are notorious for installing slimline seats to squeeze more passengers onboard. Compare an American Airlines 737 MAX to a Ryanair 737 MAX, for example. The AA version likely has wider seats and more pitch. Whenever possible, aim to fly on carriers known for providing a better economy experience.
Of course, the aircraft type itself also makes a difference. Opting for a widebody plane (A350, 787, A380) over a narrowbody jet (737, A320) will typically get you more room, though not always. Still, understanding which planes are older or newer in an airline's fleet can give you an advantage.
What else is in this post?
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Know Your Airplane
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Focus on the Right Details
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Beware of Deceptive Marketing
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Red Flags to Watch For
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Strategize For Your Needs
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Confirm Your Selection
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Be Ready to Negotiate
- Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Double Check At the Gate
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Focus on the Right Details
Once you’ve identified the right aircraft for your upcoming journey, it’s time to drill down on the specifics. Generic seat maps only reveal so much – you need granular data to truly optimize your seat selection. This is where SeatGuru shines. Its comprehensive database provides the nitty gritty details on seating for nearly every commercial plane worldwide.
SeatGuru goes beyond standard pitch measurements to call out unique dimensions for each individual seat on a given aircraft. You can instantly see if 27A has an inch or two extra legroom over 27F, for example. It also flags seats that may feel cramped due to proximity to lavatories, galley areas, or bulkheads. No more picking a seat that looks spacious on the map only to end up next to a high-traffic restroom.
The color-coded seat maps also showcase expert recommendations for the best and worst seats. Green dots indicate seats with extra legroom or those strategically located near exits. Meanwhile, red dots warn of limited recline or missing windows. Thisrating system gives you an instant visual overview of the most desirable seatsas well as ones to avoid.
SeatGuru further provides inside scoop on additional factors that impact comfort. You can check if your potential seat has a misaligned window, missing or inoperable entertainment screens, and even noise complaints from the engine. It notes whether seats have actual hardshell recline or just limited tilt. No detail is too small when it comes to optimizing your in-flight experience.
Real passenger reviews let you tap into the wisdom of crowds for recent feedback. You can filter reviews by flight date, seat location, and traveler height. This helps you gauge if that “extra” legroom is sufficient for your personal space needs. If multiple people report an annoying rattle in 23G, you’ll know to pick a different seat.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Beware of Deceptive Marketing
Airlines often use clever marketing to make their seats seem more spacious and comfortable than the reality you'll experience once onboard. Don't let the smoke and mirrors fool you - always verify details from objective third-party sources.
One common ploy is showcasing misleading mockup cabins in promotions. Knee clearance can appear extremely generous in these idealized renderings that exaggerate actual dimensions. Airlines also photograph cabins without passengers to give an illusion of openness. Yet once every seat is filled, that roominess disappears. Mock cabins with perfectly positioned smiles can't replicate your experience wedged between unhappy strangers for 14 hours.
Look out for buzzwords that aim to dazzle but lack substance. "Ergonomic design" sounds sophisticated yet could simply mean a slight contour in the backrest. Don't assume "advanced technology" translates to a cutting-edge entertainment system versus minor software tweaks. And just because seats come from a prestigious manufacturer like Recaro or Zodiac doesn't guarantee comfort - it's all about specific measurements and materials.
Airlines hype promotional amenities that only a tiny fraction of flyers utilize. For instance, highlighting onboard bars and lounges for first class creates a halo effect that makes economy seem better than it is. In reality, 99% of coach passengers never step foot in those spaces. Similarly, touting fancy lie-flat seats upfront doesn't justify miserable 17" wide seats with 28" pitch in the back.
Even favorable press reviews could be influenced by special treatment. Journalists may experience seats for a few hours with extra legroom and in preproduction cabins. You'll be stuck for endless hours with crowded rows. Preview experiences rarely match real operations.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Red Flags to Watch For
Bulkhead Bogeymen
Bulkhead seats seem attractive with their ample legroom. But seasoned travelers know to approach them with extreme caution. These front row seats often come with serious drawbacks that cramp your overall comfort.
First, most bulkheads have significantly reduced if not zero recline compared to regular seats. Some carriers even lock them upright in the name of safety. Nothing ruins a long haul flight faster than getting stuck bolt upright the whole way. And even on shorter flights, the inability to recline makes it harder to nap or relax.
Bulkhead walls also limit your foot room, creating a “trapped” feeling and preventing you from straightening your legs. Because of the curvature of the cabin, walls may angle inward and severely constrict movement. Trying to sleep or stretching will prove difficult.
Don’t be fooled by the expansive floor space in bulkhead rows. Airlines want you to covet that legroom without realizing the tradeoffs. But once seated, you may regret the decision as the immovable wall presses against your knees for endless hours.
Deceptive Delights
Avoid seats that seem spacious at first glance but hide sneaky discomforts. The classic trap that ensnares many flyers are exit rows. You’ll swoon at the acres of legroom only to realize there’s a massive metal box housing the exit door protruding right where your feet go. Cue contorted legs and restless irritation.
Beware rows in front of lavatories which often have reduced seat recline. Sitting upright the whole flight is no fun, especially on red-eyes. Watch out for the last row by the restrooms too, as you'll deal with noise, odors and traffic. Seats lacking windows or missing entertainment screens are other letdowns.
Don't let airlines trick you into premium economy either, as the improvement over standard seats is marginal despite the higher cost. Often it's just an extra inch or two of width and pitch - not close to worth double the price. Read reviews to get the real scoop from disgruntled travelers who felt duped.
Critique Crowd Wisdom
While passenger reviews provide helpful insight, don't blindly trust them as gospel. Some factors that influenced another traveler may not apply to you. Shorter flyers rave about legroom that taller folks find unusable. Noise like crying babies that annoyed previous passengers might not bother you with headphones on.
Consider the broader trends rather than basing decisions on just one or two reviews. Maybe Seat 24F gets consistently rated as uncomfortable by multiple flyers of different heights. That's more telling than an lone complaint from someone extremely tall. Look for patterns in the critiques that are relevant to your needs.
Also factor in potential changes since past reviews. If the seat mositly gets praised but a recent negative review mentions a broken entertainment screen, there's a good chance the airline has fixed the issue since then. Weigh recency appropriately when judging feedback.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Strategize For Your Needs
You’ve armed yourself with aircraft intel and granular seat details. But simply picking the “best” seat on paper doesn’t guarantee comfort. Only by carefully evaluating your personal needs and travel style can you develop a winning strategy.
Start by reflecting on your typical in-flight habits. Are you a restless sleeper who constantly tosses and turns? Then avoid rows where your movements could disturb other passengers. Do you strictly adhere to an intense hydration regimen? Sit near a galley with easy bathroom access. Are you taller or shorter than the average flyer? Scale legroom and recline accordingly.
Consider when you’ll fly as well. On red-eyes, an exit row bulkhead could allow you to fully extend without waking seatmates. But for daytime flights, that limited recline could hinder your ability to nap. If traveling with family, score seats together rather than let kids get separated. Solo leisure travelers can likely tolerate a middle seat better than a harried business commuter.
Gauge the aircraft’s amenities to match your needs. Entertainment-focused flyers should steer towards seats with onboard screens and large windows for viewing. Or seek a spot near power outlets to juice devices binging movies. For epic eaters, pick seats away from pungent galleys but still close to meal service carts.
Think about your tolerance factors too. Are you fiercely territorial about your elbow room? Be willing to pay more for a guaranteed empty seat next to you. Do you despise even the hint of a crying baby? Pack noise cancelling headphones and request a seat far from families. Or if you must work, avoid chatty areas.
Consider medical factors as well. Those with back pain do better near exits with more legroom. Tall travelers should angle for the front cabin’s extra space. Flyers with sensitive stomachs should read up on aircraft vibration tendencies. Seat location can literally make the difference between agony and peaceful flying.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Confirm Your Selection
You’ve done your homework, weighed all options, and finally picked the perfect seat for your upcoming flight. But don’t let your guard down just yet - there are still critical steps to guarantee you actually get the seat you want. Nothing ruins a trip faster than showing up excited for your ideal seat only to discover you’ve been bumped to a cramped middle slot in the back. Avoid this fate by being vigilant through the entire booking and check-in process.
First, carefully examine your reservation after booking to ensure the correct seat is listed. Don’t assume it automatically saved your preferences, as glitches happen. Triple check the confirmation email as well as your airline account details and call immediately if anything looks amiss. The earlier you can fix errors, the better odds of securing your intended seat.
Beware seat changes too, as airlines frequently shuffle assignments right up until departure. Periodically check back on your reservation as travel approaches, especially after any aircraft swaps. Be ready to hound the airline to get reinstated in your originally selected seat if they bounced you around. Don’t settle for alternatives if the new seat has deal-breaking defects.
Watch for bait-and-switch tactics when selecting seats as well. Sneaky upsells pressure you to “upgrade” to a better seat which is really just the one you already picked. Dig into the fine print to decipher if you’re actually getting something superior or defending what you booked. Refuse to be hoodwinked into paying extra for your hand-selected seat.
Time your check-in wisely based on your airline’s policies. Logging in precisely 24 hours before departure can give you the widest open seat selection if no assignments were made yet. However, checking in too early on some carriers locks your current seat in place, limiting options to change later. Know the best strategy for your airline.
Don’t overlook the airport agent’s power when you arrive at the gate. Politely ask about better openings, especially if your original seat got swapped. With charm and tenacity, you just may end up smiling in a roomy exit row despite the computer saying 23F. But you’ll only get offered alternatives if you inquire - and have your preferred picks ready.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Be Ready to Negotiate
Being ready and willing to negotiate is key to getting the best possible seat on the airplane. While airlines want you to think seat assignments are set in stone, savvy travelers know that a little flexibility and friendly persuasion can open up options. But you have to know when and how to make your case with airline staff and be prepared for potential pushback.
First, understand that gate agents have some power to tweak the seating chart, especially when filling up the final seats before departure. Don’t be shy about politely asking at check-in if any roomier seats are available. Maybe a last minute cancellation or upgrade opened something up. But you likely won’t get offered alternatives unless you specifically inquire. Have a few preferred choices handy, like exit rows or roomy economy plus seats.
Being nice goes a long way compared to making demands. A friendly “I’d really appreciate if any extra legroom seats are still open” shows you respect the agent’s time and authority. You can explain if you have a tight connection or long journey ahead requiring as much comfort as possible. But arguing or implying the agent intentionally stuck you in a cramped seat will not help your case.
If you get bumped from your original seat assignment, now is the time to make your play as well. Calmly point out you specifically selected seat 24A for the extra pitch but got switched to basic economy. Ask if your intended seat is still available or another comparable option. But be ready for objections about full flights or how the computer automatically changed your seat. Don’t let vague excuses deter you - keep pressing politely.
Third party tricks can strengthen your negotiation hand when airlines resist. Mentioning you have a tight connection that requires sitting near the front often works to secure better seats. Say you want to sit with family/companions booked separately but need help finessing the assignments. Or if they swap your seat at the last minute, note how hard it will be to now get work done without the table you need.
If you need to book a second seat for comfort or medical reasons, negotiate to waive that outrageous fee. Explain the physical difficulties you’ll endure in a single cramped seat for a long haul flight. Get your doctor to provide documentation backing up your request if airlines resist. But approach the request with empathy rather than entitlement.
Don't Leave Your In-Flight Comfort to Chance: How to Use SeatGuru to Score the Best Airline Seat - Double Check At the Gate
As you board your flight, don't assume your seat assignment is permanently set. Savvy flyers know that last minute seat changes or upgrades still happen at the gate if you keep your eyes peeled. By double checking for better openings and being ready to make your move, you can often score a surprise seat boost.
Keep monitoring the seat map on your phone right up until boarding, as the aviation gods may randomly bless you with a favorable swap. Maybe a first class passenger got upgraded to business class on a partner airline, opening up a cushy lie-flat seat. Or a large family that was scattered throughout the plane decided to bail at the last minute. Sudden premium cabin vacancies do occur.
Scope out the scene while in the boarding queue as well. If you hear passengers complaining about seat assignments, a doting gate agent may swoop in to placate them with free upgrades - potentially opening seats in the process. Eavesdrop for any tidbits that could signal opportunities.
Don't be shy about inquiring one last time at the gate either. Politely ask the agent checking your ticket if any roomier seats shook free from earlier no-shows or cancellations. Flash that winning smile and play up needing extra space for those long legs. But have a few specific options in mind rather than just generally begging for first class.
Watch for gate lice hovering right by the desk, as they could be waiting to pounce on tentative upgrades. Make sure to stake your place in line early so you can intercept the agent first if a miracle seat materializes. Don't let pushy elites or special status members edge in front and steal what could be your fateful upgrade.
Be ready to act swiftly if the gate attendant starts looking for takers on a newly available premium seat. Jump right up to volunteer yourself rather than waiting to be offered. Say you'll gladly take their hands and move if it makes their job easier. They're more likely to give the seat to someone who saves them effort.
Similarly, speak up if you overhear other travelers getting assigned a seat you want. Politely insert yourself into the conversation and ask the agent if you can have that seat instead. Don't be afraid to throw yourself on the mercy of the court. Play up your woeful original assignment in a middle sandwiched between two large gentlemen.