Exit rows, aisle or window seats, and seats close to the front are typically considered the best seats on a plane. On a short business trip, you might want an aisle seat near the front of the plane so you can debark as quickly as possible on arrival. On an overnight flight, you might prefer a window seat so you can rest your head.
Exit row seats usually offer a bit more legroom, but they’re not appropriate if you’re traveling as a family. Children are not permitted to sit in exit rows, and by U.S. law, infants are not allowed in the rows immediately behind or in front of an exit row either.
Many flyers also like “bulkhead seats,” which are the seats directly behind the physical barriers (such as walls, curtains, or screens) that separate different parts of the plane. Because there are no seats in front of you, you won’t get stuck with another passenger reclining into your lap—and you often get some extra legroom as well.
Join a frequent flyer program.
This is the most reliable tactic you can use. Providing your frequent flyer number at the time of reservation goes a long way toward netting you a good seat, especially if you are a loyal, high-ranking member. Elite flyers tend to be first in line for upgrades.
Buy your tickets early.
The number of seats available for pre-assignment dwindles as the travel date approaches. If you can’t buy your tickets at least several weeks in advance, be sure to check in online as soon as possible before your flight to select a seat, or arrive at the airport early if online check-in isn’t available.
Purchase a better seat.
Many airlines now offer economy-class seats with extra legroom for an additional fee. For example, JetBlue’s “Even More Space” seats, many of which are in exit rows, have up to seven extra inches of seat pitch. United offers Economy Plus access to high-ranking frequent flyers and to any travelers who pay the annual fee; this entitles you to a few extra inches of seat pitch toward the front of the coach cabin. (If any Economy Plus seats are still available at flight time, they can be purchased on a one-time basis.) Other airlines offer similar programs.
Select your seat when you book.
Most airline websites and booking engines allow you to choose a seat when you purchase your ticket, or to return to your reservation after your initial purchase and make your seat selection later. In many cases, this process is free, but some airlines have added fees to select your seat in advance. If you don’t see a seat you like, consider returning to your reservation as your trip date approaches to see if anything has opened up in the meantime.