Avoiding the Middle Seat on Airplanes: Fly Comfortably Every Time

Ah, the dreaded middle seat on airplanes. It often reminds me of the classic song by Stealers Wheel.
"Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you."

But fear not, travelers! With a little planning and some savvy strategies, you can avoid being sandwiched between two strangers on your next flight.

1.   Book Early

The early bird catches the worm, or in this case, the window or aisle seat. Airlines often release their seat maps as soon as flights are available for booking. By booking your flight well in advance, you'll have a wider selection of seats to choose from.

2.   Check-in Online

Many airlines allow passengers to check in online 24 hours before the flight's departure. This is a golden opportunity to change your seat if you weren't satisfied with your initial choice.

3.   Consider Seat Upgrade Options

Even if you're flying economy, some airlines offer premium economy seats that come with more legroom and are often located in more desirable parts of the plane. It might cost a little extra, but the comfort can be worth it.

4.   Use Seat Alert Apps

There are apps available, like ExpertFlyer, that can alert you when a preferred seat becomes available on your flight. This way, you can switch seats before someone else snatches it up.

5.   Check The Airplane Seat Maps

Before booking, familiarize yourself with the airplane's seating layout. Websites like SeatGuru provide detailed seat maps and reviews for various aircrafts, helping you identify the best and worst seats. Some aircrafts do not even have middle seats.

6.   Be Polite

If you find yourself assigned to a middle seat and notice an available aisle or window seat on board, politely ask the flight attendant if you can switch. Similarly, if you're traveling alone and a couple or family wants to sit together, they might be willing to swap seats with you.

7. Avoid Peak Travel Times

Flights during peak travel times, like holidays or weekends, are more likely to be fully booked. If possible, fly during off-peak times when flights might be less crowded, increasing your chances of having an empty seat next to you.

8. Join a Frequent Flyer Program

Loyalty has its perks. Members of frequent flyer programs often get priority seating, among other benefits. Over time, you can earn enough points or miles to qualify for seat upgrades.

In conclusion, while the middle seat might make you feel like you're stuck in a less-than-ideal situation, with these tips, you can increase your chances of a more comfortable journey.

So, the next time you hear "Stuck in the Middle with You" on the radio, you can smile, knowing you've got the tools to avoid that middle seat on your next flight.