How to book empty seats in flight?

Sneaking a Spare Seat on Your KLM Flight: A Guide to Maximizing Comfort

Securing an empty seat next to you on a KLM flight is a holy grail for many travelers. That extra elbow room, the ability to stretch out, or simply the quiet solitude can significantly enhance your flying experience. However, it’s important to understand that getting a guaranteed empty seat isn’t possible – KLM, like other airlines, doesn’t explicitly sell “empty seats.” Your success hinges on strategy and a bit of luck.

This article outlines the realistic approaches to increasing your chances of enjoying that coveted empty space on your KLM journey, emphasizing that securing an empty seat requires a pre-booked ticket. Your ability to even attempt these strategies is entirely dependent on already having a confirmed reservation under KLM’s General Conditions of Carriage. Failure to comply with these conditions, particularly those relating to seat selection (article 2.2, which you should familiarize yourself with), can invalidate your efforts.

Strategies for Increasing Your Chances:

• Book late: Airlines often overbook flights, creating a possibility of empty seats on departure. Booking closer to the flight’s departure time might leave some seats unfilled. However, this comes with the risk of higher fares and less choice of seats.

• Fly during off-peak times: Flights during less popular travel periods (weekdays, non-holiday seasons) generally have a higher chance of having unoccupied seats.

• Select a less popular seat: Seats in the middle or those near lavatories are often less desirable to passengers, increasing the likelihood of them remaining vacant.

• Check-in early: Early check-in allows you to see the seating map and potentially snag an empty seat near you if one becomes available due to last-minute cancellations or changes. Be prepared to act quickly!

• Be polite and inquire at the gate: While not guaranteed, politely asking a gate agent if there are any available seats nearby might yield positive results. They may be able to accommodate you if the plane isn’t full.

Important Considerations:

• No guarantees: Remember, there’s no foolproof method to guarantee an empty seat. These strategies merely improve your odds.
• Paying for seat selection: KLM offers paid seat selection. While this doesn’t guarantee an empty seat next to you, choosing a seat further from the main cabin might inadvertently increase your chances of having an empty seat beside you, as these are often less popular.
• Upgrade possibilities: If you’re willing to spend more, consider upgrading your ticket class. Business and first-class cabins often have more space and a lower passenger-to-seat ratio.

In conclusion, securing an empty seat on your KLM flight is a matter of timing, strategy, and a little bit of luck. By understanding the limitations and employing the strategies outlined above, you can significantly increase your chances of enjoying a more comfortable and spacious journey. Remember to always refer to KLM’s General Conditions of Carriage, specifically article 2.2, for the most accurate and up-to-date information on seat selection.