Increasingly, airlines are charging customers for additional services, including the ability to sit with the rest of the company or relatives – thus imposing an additional service. However, tourists can avoid additional fees by choosing seats on the plane. Useful life hacks that may surprise tourists were shared by travel blogger Cairo Ferguson, author of the Journey Junket site.
While some overseas carriers, such as Britain’s British Airways, allow customers to select seats for free during online check-in, European low-cost carriers and Ireland’s Ryanair offer seat selection only to those who pay for the privilege. “There are several ways to get seats together without paying to pick them,” he stated.
One of his top recommendations is to simply ask: “Try calling the airline directly and asking if there are seats available – you’d be surprised how much a simple polite inquiry over the phone can do. I did this a few years ago when three of my girlfriends flew together and we didn’t pay extra for seat selection. I called the airline ahead of time and mentioned that one of us was a nervous passenger and they were happy to provide the service at no charge. Amazingly”.
As an alternative, the tourist recommended booking all tickets for the flight at once, and not in parts. “Try to book the same flight as someone else, as often the airline will give you two seats together for free if you’re traveling with someone,” he said.
Travel blogger Jessie Moore, who runs the luxury travel blog Pocket Wanderings, added that it’s “definitely the best way” to get seats nearby, but you should register online as soon as registration opens.
“Despite the assumption that airlines will split your group if you don’t pay for seat selection, they will generally try to keep you together – if there are seats available. I’ve taken 16 flights this year, and I’ve managed to sit with the person traveling with me every time, except for one trip where I forgot to check in and put it off until the last minute. Find out when check-in opens for your airline’s flight and set a reminder to be ready. Of course, there is still no guarantee if you don’t pay, but it will significantly increase your chances,” advised an experienced tourist.
The remaining travelers who did not receive free seat selection can use discounts for groups flying together. “Check if the airline has fares available that include individual seats together,” recommended travel blogger Cairo Ferguson.
For comparison, here are the conditions of British airlines:
- British Airways. You can check in online 24 hours before the scheduled flight departure. Customers on the basic cabin fare only will not be able to select their seat for free even at check-in, however other ticket holders will be allowed to select their seat for free at this stage. Customers also have the option to pay for seat selection when booking tickets.
- EasyJet. Allows passengers to check in for a flight 30 days before its scheduled departure. Although passengers will not be able to select their seats for free at this time, the airline may seat groups together based on availability. Customers have the option to pay for seats when booking tickets.
- Ryanair. Ryanair customers can check in for their flight 24 hours before departure. Passengers can pay for seat selection at the time of booking, but the airline does not allow free seat selection at check-in. In addition, the carrier also states that customers will be “randomly allocated” a seat during check-in.
- Jet2. Tourists can check in for a flight 28 days before its scheduled departure. On this