The number one thing that determines if you have a great flight is the seat next to you being empty. Having that extra space makes everything better, from the friendliness of flight attendants to the tastiness of the snacks.
It turns out you can ensure this happens every time that you fly. With all of the major U.S. airlines you can buy an empty middle seat next to you, and in most cases you can even do this on a cheap basic economy fare. Last year I walked through how to do this with United, American, Delta, and Southwest including the quirks of each.
This may be one of the very best travel tricks, and it turns out it’s one that Kate Middleton knows. The Duchess of Cambridge “often books two plane seats when she flies.” It turns out she does it less for the personal space and more “to hang her clothes on, ensuring they don’t crease.”
“Obviously when we go to the airports, especially when it’s hand luggage only, we’re trying to cram all our toiletries into that plastic bag,” she commented.. ‘[We all know] it’s never big enough.”
The Royal commentator added that she had “been on a plane where Kate’s dresses had their own seat to make sure they were kept flat. They are not going to be shoved in the hole just to be squashed by everyone else’s.”
Since the Royals do fly European low cost carriers this trick is crucial.
I booked an aisle seat for myself and the adjacent middle seat for extra space on Jet Blue and an air marshal stole my aisle seat. I hope the fat ass enjoyed that extra room I paid for.
Haven’t I heard stories about airlines taking someone’s extra seat when it is an oversold flight?
Gary, can I buy 12 seats? One for me, one for my dog, and one for each of her 10 clones?
If the flight is oversold and they “take” your extra seat for someone else, does that count as an involuntarily denied boarding and you can get cash on the spot? Might be worth a gamble on some cheap flights on busy routes just to hit it big 🙂
I don’t see how this works. Almost all flights I am on are oversold. The airline will just take your seat and fill it with another passenger.
What hole would the dresses otherwise have been shoved into ?
Do you get miles for both seats? If I buy two seats and say its because I’m overweight and need the space will they still try to take it away if they overbook? I’d love to hear that argument with an actual person of size versus someone like me who just wants the extra space. What if I say its because I am claustrophobic?
So many questions…
Every time I’m on a flight including a BOS-LAX one a few days ago when the gate agents or flight attendants say the flight is “full” and it just so happens the middle seat next to me is open, I can’t help wonder if my row-mate booked that seat.
@Steve S, I would like to know the answer to this as well.
I never get to comment on this sight because I’m conservative. In case it’s allowed this time I want to say I booked two seats for me on Southwest and it worked flawlessly. I really enjoyed my flights and the advice I got here. Still waiting for my refund though.
Been doing this for years ! It really works out great .
My late brother, a huge guy, booked two seats whenever he was traveling on a flight that lacked first class seats he could. He did this all over the world beginning in the 1990s. An actual giant person doesn’t have to worry about someone wanting that middle seat – no one does.
@Robert,
“I never get to comment on this sight because I’m conservative…”
No, you sad hat-in-hand persecuted snowflake, it’s your grasp of grammar. But take heart, as Trump loves the poorly educated.