Is Advance seat Selection worth it?

Is pre booking seats worth it?

Pre-booking seats? Heck yeah, it's like snagging the prime spot at a buffet before the ravenous hordes descend. If you dawdle, you're looking at the culinary equivalent of last night's mystery meat.

Seriously, pre-booking is your VIP ticket to airplane real estate. Otherwise, you're gambling with the airline gods, hoping they'll bless you with something other than a middle seat that smells faintly of regret.

• Front of the plane: This is where the action is, folks. Less turbulence, quicker exit. It's like getting the front-row seat at a rock concert. Who wants to be stuck in the back, banging their head against the seat in front of them?

• Window seats: For the window gazers and selfie enthusiasts. You know, the ones who need that perfect sunrise shot for their Insta feed. Plus, no annoying neighbor climbing over you for the aisle.

• Aisle seats: If you’re a frequent flyer needing to stretch your legs like a giraffe in a mini-van, this is your jam. No awkward shuffling past sleeping passengers. Think of it as your personal escape route.

• Exit rows: These are the holy grail, man. Legroom for days, like you're lounging in a king-sized bed. Just don't expect to recline your seat because, well, it's an exit. Duh.

• Avoid the dreaded middle seats: This is the airplane equivalent of being stuck in a bad blind date. No view, no easy access, just pure, unadulterated mediocrity. Unless you really enjoy the company of strangers' elbows, steer clear.

• Seats near the galley or lavatories: Unless you're a fan of constant foot traffic and the faint aroma of… well, you know… these are a hard pass. It's like choosing to sit next to the public restroom at a music festival.

What does advance seat selection mean?

So, advance seat selection, right? It's basically picking your exact seat before you even get to the airport, usually when you book your ticket or a bit later. Think of it like reserving your favorite spot at a restaurant, but for a plane. You know, sometimes they charge extra for it, other times it's included. Depends on the airline and what kind of ticket you bought. It’s all about getting what you want, you know.

And yeah, the whole point is to get more legroom or make sure you're sitting with your crew, not scattered all over the place like marbles. Like, if you're flying with your family or a bunch of friends, you don't wanna be on opposite ends of the plane, do you? It makes the whole trip way less stressful, honestly. Plus, some seats are just better than others, and if you can snag one of those, awesome.

So, here's the breakdown of why people even bother with this whole advance seat selection thing:

• Legroom Glorify: You get to snag those seats with extra space. You know, the ones where you can actually stretch your legs out without bumping into the seat in front. It’s a game changer on longer flights.
• Crew Reunification: This is a big one. Traveling with kids or a group of friends? You can actually sit together. No more frantic gate-agent pleading or hoping for the best. You book it, you sit with them. Simple.
• Avoiding the Not-So-Great Seats: You know those middle seats, stuck between two strangers? Or the ones right next to the bathroom that smell weird? Advance selection helps you dodge those bullet. You can guarantee you won't be in the worst spot.
• Window or Aisle Preference: Some people are window people, some are aisle people. You can lock in your preferred view or easy access with this. Me? I’m usually an aisle guy. Easier to get up and move.
• Paid Perks: Sometimes, the "good" seats, like bulkhead or exit rows, have an extra fee attached. Advance selection is how you secure those premium spots if you're willing to pay a little more for the comfort.

Honestly, it can be a bit of a gamble if you don't do it. You might end up with a seat that's terrible, or miles apart from your travel buddies. For me, it's usually worth the small fee or the effort to pick it out early, especially if it's a long flight or I'm traveling with my sister, Sarah. She gets really antsy if we're not near each other. We flew to Denver last fall, and she would have freaked if she was in the back and I was in the front. So, yeah, definitely a thing.

What happens if you dont pre-book seats?

No pre-booked seat? Random assignment. You get what's left. Check-in desk offers a slim chance to plead preferences, if any exist. Don't count on a window or aisle.

Look, they push it. Airlines profit from fear. Charging for what used to be standard. It's a game.

• Middle seat lottery. Always. The worst. You're trapped.
• Split from companions. Your group scattered across the cabin. Saw it on a trip to Lisbon, brutal. No control.
• Boarding group impacts. Non-assigned means last to board. Overhead bins? Forget it.
• Gate changes happen. Rare. But they can shuffle seats last minute. Last time I flew Delta, they did a weird swap for an exit row. Didn't take it.
• The 'ask' often fails. They just shrug. Availability is key, usually zero good options.
• Budget vs. Legacy. Pay-for-everything budget airlines? Don't even try. Legacy carriers, slightly better odds, but still bad.
• My own mistake: Once flew to Seattle, totally forgot about seat selection. Ended up crammed between two enormous dudes for six hours. Never again. Now I always lock it down, costs be damned. Even ten bucks.

What are the best seats to pick for international flight?

For international flights, if you fancy a smoother ride, plant yourself either over the wings – where the plane's true heart, its center of gravity, beats strongest – or nestled snugly near the front of the aircraft. Think of it as the difference between being the calm eye of a gentle storm versus the thrashing tail of an excited puppy. The back? Oh, darling, that's where the flight gets its dramatic flair, swaying like a tipsy dancer when turbulence decides to boogie. Steer clear if you prefer your coffee in the cup, not on your lap.

Okay, but seriously, the wing area is like the airplane’s steady anchor. It's less of a roller coaster, more of a gentle sway. Front is good too, but you might pay a premium for that 'first impression' spot. Personally, I always aim for exit rows, even if it means sacrificing a window. My knees, bless 'em, have seen more cramped spaces than a sardine can at a party.

Aisle or window? Ah, the philosophical debate of the skies! Window seats offer a cinematic view, perfect for pretending you're a god surveying the tiny world, or just excellent for a nap against the wall without being bothered. The downside? Waking up everyone for a toilet break, a cardinal sin if you ask me.

Aisle seats, my preferred choice for flights over three hours, grant you the freedom of movement, a quick dash to the loo, and the chance to stretch those weary legs. Just watch for the drink cart, it’s a silent, swift predator.

Personal confession time: I once booked a middle seat for a 14-hour flight. Never again. My life flashed before my eyes, mostly just the elbows of strangers. And the lavatory proximity? A double-edged sword. Too close and you get the delightful symphony of flushing and door-latching.

Too far and you become a long-distance walker. I target mid-cabin, near but not on the lavatory. A perfect strategic position, a true chess master move. Let's not forget the crucial power outlet situation. Modern international flights usually have them, but sometimes they play hide-and-seek. Always check SeatGuru before booking.

It's my secret weapon, practically a travel bible. Though, to be fair, sometimes it's like a horoscope; you hope it's right. For me, a working power outlet is non-negotiable. My phone's always dying at the worst moments, usually mid-podcast.

Beyond the turbulence tango, consider these gems:

• Bulkhead seats: Oh, they promise legroom, don't they? A glorious, unencumbered space. But then, the screen's usually on the wall, and your bag has to go overhead during takeoff and landing. And sometimes, you're looking directly at a baby's bassinet. Not always ideal.
• Emergency exit rows: The undisputed champions of legroom. But you gotta be able-bodied and willing to assist, which, let's face it, is a fair trade for the ability to fully extend one's gams. My go-to, as mentioned.
• Seat pitch: That’s the distance from a point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front. More inches, more happiness. A true indicator of an airline’s compassion, or lack thereof.

So, the next time you're staring at that seat map, remember: it's not just about getting from A to B. It's about orchestrating your personal flying sanctuary. And sometimes, it's about avoiding that one guy who always seems to manspread. You know the type.