Why do I have to pay extra for a plane seat?

The Great Airline Seat Gamble: Why You Pay Extra (and How to Potentially Avoid It)

We’ve all been there. Booking a flight, excitedly anticipating our destination, and then… the dreaded seat selection screen. Suddenly, a supposedly budget-friendly flight transforms into a potential budget-breaker. Why, oh why, do airlines slap extra charges on seats, and more importantly, is there a way to outsmart the system?

The core reason airlines charge extra for specific seats boils down to one thing: revenue optimization. In the hyper-competitive world of air travel, airlines are constantly searching for ways to increase profits. Selling preferred seating allows them to extract additional income from passengers willing to pay for comfort, convenience, or simply peace of mind.

Think about it: a seat with extra legroom, a window seat offering breathtaking views, or an aisle seat providing easy access – these are all highly coveted spots. Airlines recognize this demand and capitalize on it by assigning a premium price. They’ve effectively turned seat selection into an a la carte service, offering you the bare minimum for the base fare and charging extra for any perceived added value.

The most common reasons for extra charges include:

• Legroom: Seats in exit rows or in front of bulkheads typically offer more legroom, a significant advantage, especially on longer flights.
• Location: Seats closer to the front of the plane allow for quicker boarding and deplaning. Window seats offer scenic views, while aisle seats provide easier access to the lavatory.
• Bundled Services: Sometimes, choosing a seat is bundled with other perks like priority boarding or baggage allowance. This can be a cost-effective option if you planned on paying for those extras anyway, but not always.
• “Preferred” Seats: Airlines may arbitrarily designate certain seats as “preferred” simply based on their location within the cabin, even without significant advantages.

However, all is not lost in the battle for comfortable seating. There’s a little-known strategy that might just get you that desirable seat without emptying your wallet: the boarding blitz.

The strategy is simple: Wait until most (or all) other passengers have boarded the plane before you settle in.

Here’s the thinking: If unsold premium seats remain, airlines often allow passengers to move into them, essentially giving them away for free. This is because an empty seat represents lost revenue, and a filled seat, even without the premium price, is better than nothing.

Important Caveats:

• Politeness is Key: Always ask a flight attendant for permission before moving. Don’t just plop down in an empty seat assuming it’s yours.
• No Guarantees: This strategy is not a foolproof plan. There’s no guarantee that preferred seats will be available, and the flight attendant may deny your request if the plane is full or the seat is already assigned to someone.
• Consider Your Flight: This tactic is more likely to succeed on flights that are not completely full. Also, consider the type of traveler on your flight. Business travelers may be more willing to pay for their seats in advance.
• Don’t Cause a Delay: Be mindful of the boarding process and don’t delay the flight by dithering over seat selection.

While airlines will likely continue to charge extra for preferred seating as a key revenue stream, understanding the reasons behind these charges and exploring alternative strategies like the boarding blitz can potentially save you money and ensure a more comfortable flying experience. It’s a gamble, but one that might just pay off. Good luck, and happy flying!