How to Sit Next to an Empty Seat on a Flight

If you are overweight and need extra space on a flight, or you just do not like sitting next to chatty, annoying fellow passengers on the plane, you can try to get a seat with an empty one next to you. There are several ways to improve your chances of getting a seat with no one sitting next to you.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Request a seat next to an empty seat when booking your flight if your airline offers pre-assigned seating. Avoid selecting the middle seat, as this doubles your chances for someone to pick the seat to the right or left of you. Instead choose the isle or the window seat.
2. Perform your flight check-in online if this option is available to you with your airline. When you do, pick the seat you desire next to an empty seat. If this option is not available, arrive for your flight extra early and request the seat you want when checking in.
3. Choose a seat toward the rear of the plane. If seating is not pre-assigned on your flight, those who are searching for an empty seat are more likely to take those they see first than the ones in the back.
4. Take an aisle seat. People are less likely to ask you to move or squeeze past you to take seats next to you.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not purchase an airline ticket during peak travel times. These flights are likely to be full or overbooked, which will pretty much assure that you will not get a seat with a vacant seat next to you. Instead, travel on late night flights or weekday flights, if possible.
• If it is very important to sit next to an empty seat, for example, if you are extremely overweight and must have extra room, consider purchasing an extra seat if you can afford to do so.