For many air travellers, the quest for a few extra inches of legroom feels like a luxury that always comes with a hefty price tag. However, a clever piece of advice from consumer experts could see you stretching out on your next journey without spending a single penny more on an upgrade.
The Right Side For More Room
According to an investigation by the consumer champion Which?, passengers should aim to book seats on the right-hand side of the aircraft when selecting their spot. Specifically, you should look for seats labelled D, E, or F, as opposed to their counterparts A, B, or C on the left.
The research found that on many popular airlines, standard seats on the right can offer between an extra half-inch to a full inch of legroom compared to those on the left. This small but precious difference can make a long flight significantly more comfortable.
Evidence From The Airlines
The findings were backed up by further analysis from Sky News, which looked at specific aircraft models. On Ryanair's Boeing 737-800s, seats D, E, and F in rows 3 through 15 provide 29.5 inches of legroom. The same rows on the left-hand side offer a slightly more cramped 29 inches.
The advantage was even more pronounced on certain easyJet flights. Passengers on the airline's A321neo aircraft can bag a whole extra inch by choosing the right side. Seats D, E, and F on rows 3 to 17 boast 29 inches of space, while equivalent left-side seats between rows 30 and 40 are limited to 28 inches. On easyJet's Airbus A320-214, an additional half-inch is available on the right-hand side in rows 14 to 29.
How To Secure Your Spot
This hack is most useful when the free seat selection window opens, typically 24 hours before departure with most airlines. To get ahead of other passengers, you can use online tools to plan your choice.
Experts recommend using AeroLOPA alongside your specific plane model number to examine the detailed seating plan for your flight. This allows you to confirm if the legroom trick applies and to pinpoint the very best seats to reserve.
Remember, other seats known for extra space include those in front of a bulkhead, along an exit row, or at the rear of the plane. Combining this knowledge with the right-side tip could be your ticket to a much more comfortable journey.
