Don’t get stuck in the dreaded middle seat

There are ways to avoid the worst spot on a plane this summer, writes Christopher Elliott

Oh, the things passengers do to avoid the worst seats on the plane — they beg, negotiate and even lie.

If you’re flying this summer and aren’t willing to pay extra for a preferred seat in economy class, chances are better than ever you’ll end up in the dreaded middle seat or relegated to the back. Why? It all comes down to money. Airlines want more of yours and they think you’re willing to fork it over for (relatively) desirable seating.

Years ago, discount airlines separated confirmed seat reserva- tions from tickets to try to lower their fares — so they claimed.

More than half of air travellers say they’re annoyed by uncomfortable seats, according to Qualtrics’s latest Airline Pain Index. Yet, charging passengers to avoid pain is very profitable. Airlines made almost $11 billion in a la carte fees last year, including seat-reservation charges — a 24-per-cent increase over 2014.

But there are ways to avoid the worst seats.

“Book well in advance,” says Mark Beales of Mill Creek, Wash., “and only with an airline allowing seat selection at the time of book- ing, if possible.”

James Goodnow, a lawyer from Phoenix, prefers to negotiate. He advises appealing to fellow passengers’ more noble natures.

“If, for example, you’d like to sit closer to your kids, kindly ask the person in your target seat and explain your predicament.”

Laura Marzola, a former flight attendant based in Charlotte says pressuring fellow travellers or telling tall tales is unnecessary.

“It’s been my experience that most people — especially solo travellers and those travelling without children — are pretty flexible about seating,” she says. “If you ask nicely, and with a good reason, like sitting next to a small child or someone needing special assistance, or requesting extra leg room because of a health condition, most passengers are usually willing to switch seats with you.”