For many travellers, the dream of having an empty seat beside them on a flight feels like a luxury reserved for the lucky few. However, a seasoned travel expert has revealed a surprisingly simple seating strategy that can significantly boost your odds of securing that precious extra space, perfect for stretching out on a long journey.
The Expert's Proven Booking Tactic
Stacey Hamilton, a travel expert at Private Tours England, shared her insider knowledge, honed from years of weekly flying for both work and leisure. She points out that with airline seats becoming narrower than they were thirty years ago, passengers are feeling more squeezed than ever.
Her clever advice is straightforward: if you are travelling with a companion and are willing to pay a little extra to select your seats in advance, book the window and the aisle seat in a row of three.
"When you're booking, look for a row of three seats and take the window and the aisle," Stacey explained. She noted that the middle seat is universally unpopular, making it typically the last one to be filled on a plane. By claiming the two outer seats, you actively discourage other passengers from selecting the less-desirable spot between you.
Maximising Your Chances of Success
Stacey suggests that your choice of row can further improve the strategy's effectiveness. "If you pick a row a little further back, the likelihood of someone choosing that middle seat drops even more," she said. This approach is particularly potent on flights that offer advance seat selection, as passenger choices are often in flux right up until departure.
"People assume everything is random, but passengers change their seats constantly," Stacey observed. "If someone sees only the middle seat left in a row, they're much more inclined to choose another row altogether."
What If Someone Does Book the Middle?
Even if your plan doesn't work perfectly and another traveller does end up with the middle seat, all is not lost. Stacey insists the situation is easily manageable. She advises simply offering to swap seats with them.
"It's perfectly fine to offer them the aisle or window so you aren't shoulder-to-shoulder," she said. "Most people are more than happy to switch because it benefits both of you. I've done this many times and it always works out."
Ultimately, Stacey Hamilton's tactic is about smartly playing the odds. While not a guaranteed win on every single flight, it dramatically increases your chances of enjoying a more comfortable journey. "It's about improving the odds and giving yourself a chance," she concluded. "And honestly, more often than not, that middle seat stays empty."
