Get the Best Seat and Prep Like a Pro

There’s good news and bad news in air travel. The bottom line is that things are changing. Below is your updated list of tips to make flying a better experience.

Some of the good news:

• The United States Senate has passed new rules protecting passenger rights.
• Some airlines, like Japan Airlines, LOT, and Swiss are focusing on fitting their planes with more comfortable seats. 
• Generally, fewer flights are being cancelled and more flights are departing and arriving on schedule.

Some of the bad news:

• Fares are expected to rise 3-7{1eea65b97f16eaff88b6449ec4bd61d0a337087596df763590ffb883bdd967ce} this year.
• There are new baggage fees with some airlines.
• The carry-on size is not consistent across airlines. Be careful.

I have to admit, in the best of times, flying is not my favorite form of transportation. But it is the most efficient for going overseas. Here, I take a deep look into how to make flying easier. Below are your tips for better air travel.

This post is a companion piece to How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease

How to Get the Best Seat on the Plane

From your perspective, the consumer’s perspective, you have many options when buying airline tickets. Here’s the list of seat classes. Not all airlines and every flight on all airlines have all the options. But these are your basic seat options.

• First Class The best of the best.
• Business Much larger seats and greater pitch, better service and food than Economy Class.
• Premium Economy Also known by such names as Club Economy and Legroom Plus, Premium Economy offers wider seats by a couple of inches (in some cases) and more leg room (but not as much as business class). Each airline is different so research the value for cost carefully.
• Economy Plus Same seats and service as Economy but in a separate section with a bit of extra legroom.
• Economy Your basic seat and your basic service. Typically, long haul has food and short haul does not.
  • Preferred seats in economy class – these are seats for which you pay extra. But there are ways that you can sometimes get them without paying the fee. Read on for how.

To Make Flying Better, Know What Makes a “Best Seat” for You

Aisle or window? Everyone has their preferences when it comes to planes. Consider these when thinking about what makes the best seat for you to help make flying better. Here, we’re focusing on economy class.

• Extra space. You’ll want a seat with no one next to you. This is getting more difficult to find as airlines are packing the planes but, if this is your goal, choose a seat towards the back of the plane and in the middle. They are the last to fill up.
• Ability to sleep. You may want a window seat to lean against the wall.
• Fast exit from the plane. You’ll likely want an aisle seat near the front on the left side of the plane.
• More leg room. You may want an Exit Row seat, though these are typically preferred seats and come with an extra charge.
• Space for carry-on bags. You may want the back of the plane. Since planes are typically boarded back to front, you will have more options for storage.
• Less turbulence. The seats over the wings tend to have the least turbulence.

How to Choose the “Best Seat” for You

Some planes are definitely more comfortable than others. Here’s one way to get the best seat on the place based on price and comfort:

1. Do a search on your destination and take note of the best priced options. Take note of flight number and airline.
2. Go to SeatGuru to see your seat options simply by entering your airline and flight number. Take note of how many seats are still available in premium economy, business, and first class. The more there are, the greater chance of being bumped up.
3. Book your flight based on the best-fare/best-seat combination based on your preferences.

You may find that paying a few dollars more makes a big difference in your comfort based on the plane you will actually be in. You can get to know the economy seat specs of the fleet that your favorite airline runs here. You may even choose a new favorite airline with this information.

How to Prepare for a Better Flying Experience

1. Get your credentials right. For international flights you’ll need a passport that does not expire for three to six months after your departure. This is determined by your country destination. You can learn about the Visa and Travel requirements by country here.
2. Check in 24 hours in advance. Most airlines send you an email 24 hours in advance to give you a chance to check in online. If you don’t receive one you may still be able to check in online through their website. Do so and you’ll save lineup time at the airport by either avoiding the lines completely if you just have a carry-on or by using the faster baggage drop-off line rather than the check-in line.
3. Get a paperless boarding pass. Rather than print off your boarding pass at home or at the airport, have it sent to your phone. Imagine the savings in paper and ink and the resulting benefit to the environment if everyone did this.
4. Take a screenshot of your boarding pass. When you receive your boarding pass, take a screenshot of it so that the scanning portion is saved to your photos. On most phones this involves holding two buttons down at the same time. This way you’ll definitely have access to your boarding pass even if you can’t get online to access your email.
5. Make dietary needs known in advance. Meals are typically served on long-haul flights but not always. Check to see if your flight includes meals. If you require a special diet such as vegetarian or gluten-free, inform the airline at least 24 hours in advance: the sooner the better. Any later and you’ll just have to hope that they can meet your needs in flight. While I don’t eat meat I also no longer request vegetarian meals. I have found them to be inedible as it appears that they are trying to meet the requirements of multiple dietary needs in one meal. On most flights there is a pasta option that is vegetarian. I rarely (though sometimes) have to go without.
6. Plan on bringing snacks. This is especially important for domestic flights when food is not served or there’s a charge for it. While airplane food is not particularly expensive (they don’t seem to gouge you despite having a captive audience) you will do better in terms of quality, choice, and price by bringing your own.
7. Pack smart. The way you pack can make a big difference in your airport efficiency.
   1. Carry-on packing.
      1. Confirm the size and weight limits for carry-on bags. For some flights I leave my regular carry-on at home (it meets size requirements but makes it difficult to make a 9km weight requirement) and take a light weekend bag.
      2. For your carry-on packing list read Carry On Packing List That Makes Sense: The Travel Essentials or Bare Minimum Packing: Urban and Luxury Travel.
      3. Pass through security easily with your carry-on:
         1. Always have the zips of your luggage at the top of your bag for flying.
         2. Position all your liquids (100 ml max for each container) in a one liter plastic bag stored at the top of your bag.
         3. Have easy access to your computer for removal from your bag.
         4. Wear shoes that are easy to take off and put on especially if traveling to the United States.
   2. Checked baggage.
      1. Confirm in advance what your checked baggage limits and fees are.
      2. To best handle checked baggage read Best Checked Baggage Tips: How to Plan, Pack & Keep Track.
8. Schedule your arrival at the airport. The recommended amount of time to arrive before your flight leaves depends on your airport and your destination. A domestic flight from Toronto’s Billy Bishop airline only requires arrival an hour in advance, 90 minutes for flights to the United States. For an international flight from Pearson airport, three hours in advance is suggested. The research on this can be worth it. Make your flying experience better by arriving relaxed, not rushing to the gate.
9. Research your options for getting to the airport. At major airports there are usually a variety of parking options at various prices. You can usually take Uber to an airport but sometimes you can’t take Uber from an airport due to airport pickup rights. Having a friend drive you is always a cheap and nice way to go.
10. Consider a Trusted Traveler pass. Getting a Trusted Traveler pass is a bit of a hassle but worth it if you travel frequently. I have a Nexus pass. Here’s a link to a complete list of passes for American citizens.

Tips for Better Air Travel

1. Last check of your boarding pass. The flight attendant does one last check of your boarding pass as they welcome you on the plane so don’t put it away until you’ve found your seat.
2. Stow your carry-on in the right place. If at all possible, stow your carry-on above your seat or above a seat in a row ahead of you. Stowing your bag above a seat in a row behind you will have you going against the flow when exiting the plane.
3. Advise the crew of special needs. Let the crew know as you board of any special needs. For example, if you have a nut allergy let the crew know as you board. They will likely restrict the availability of nuts during the flight. If you require a seatbelt extender, letting them know as you board gives them time to deliver it to you well before takeoff.
4. Drink lots of water onboard. While meals are no longer served on many flights, all will serve at least water, which is best for you anyway. It is especially advisable on long flights to forego alcohol and coffee and drink lots of water. It helps with jet lag.
5. Time your washroom break. If your flight is long enough that you’ll need a washroom break don’t wait until the end of the flight to do so when the washroom has been well-used and can be a mess. You can also ask the crew if the washroom gets serviced during the flight and time your visit for after that.

Now that we’ve covered how to make flying better, here are more tips to help your upcoming trips go smoothly:

Last updated: 2nd April, 2024