How to Choose a Good Seat on an Airplane

Where should you sit on an airplane if you're prone to motion sickness? If you have a connecting flight? If you're traveling with kids? Ask an airline agent about reserving the right seat for you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Travel Guides
• Airline Tickets

1. Request bulkhead seats'those behind the dividing walls of a plane'or a seat by one of the emergency exits if you want more leg room.

2. Choose an aisle seat for easier access to the overhead storage compartment and lavatories, as well as for faster disembarking.

3. Consider sitting near the lavatories if you are traveling with children.

4. Opt for the back of the plane if you want to sprawl out; there are usually fewer people in the back.

5. Sit toward the front if you want to get off the plane faster, which could be important if you're trying to make a tight connection. The front of the plane also tends to be a quieter ride.

6. Choose a seat toward the wings, which are the stability point for the plane, if motion sickness is a potential problem.

7. Sit near the galleys if you want early snack, beverage or meal service.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're traveling with a companion, reserve the aisle and window seat of a three-seat row. Because middle seats are the last to be sold, you have a good chance of having an extra seat.
• Join a frequent-flier program to increase your chances of getting a good seat on the plane.
• Exit-door seats must be filled by passengers willing and able to help people in an emergency situation and may not be available for reservation. Check with your airline agent.

[cmccool]

on 2/10/2009 seatguru.com is a must.

[tipsgal]

on 10/15/2008 http://www.getcheapairticket.com provides search in multiple airline and online websites and tips on how to book tickets online.

on 11/22/2005 Your airline's website often has seat charts for your aircraft. You can also try www.seatguru.com or www.seatexpert.com for seat charts and information. Call your airline to book a seat. If you are an elite flyer on that airline, there are blocks of seats reserved for elites, including exit rows (on some airlines).

on 11/22/2005 In tight quarters: give yourself the suggestion before hand that you will cat-nap. If you want a 'good nights sleep' your body will be fooled and you will not have one. It is vital that you suggest to the mind that cat-napping will be good; it works!

on 11/22/2005 Always allow for extra time between connections. Some connecting gates could be in other terminals and you'll need time to get there.