Seat Selection Shenanigans: The Airline Tricks — and How to Outsmart It

When you book a flight and think the ticket price covers, well, your seat—think again. Welcome to the quirky world of airline seat selection fees, where your legs, your family, and your dignity are apparently add-ons.

In recent years, airlines have turned seat selection into a goldmine. Want to sit next to your partner? That’ll cost you. Prefer an aisle seat so you don’t need to do Olympic gymnastics every time you visit the bathroom? Open your wallet. Fancy a few more inches of legroom so your knees don’t become a tray table casualty? Prepare to pay premium.

💸 The Trick: Breaking the Price into Tiny, Annoying Pieces

Low-cost carriers (and now even many legacy ones) lure you in with a cheap base fare, then slice and dice your journey into “optional” extras—like choosing your own seat. Don’t want to pay? Enjoy being assigned the middle seat in row 37B, next to a screaming toddler and a man eating tuna from a can.

And here’s the kicker: families with kids often find themselves forced to pay for seat selection just to sit together, even though some regulations “recommend” otherwise.

🧠 How to Outsmart the System: Clever (and Legal) Travel Hacks

Don’t want to fork out $15–$80 just to keep your knees functional or your family united? Here’s how the pros do it:

1. Don’t Choose a Seat at Booking

Yep. Just skip the seat selection step altogether. Most airlines will assign you one for free at check-in. You might not get your dream spot—but you might.

2. Check-in Early (but Not Too Early)

Some airlines release better seats closer to departure. Try checking in 24 hours before the flight to grab whatever’s freed up.

3. The “Gate Game”

At the gate, ask politely if you can be seated with your partner/family. Agents often have the power to switch things around—especially if you’re nice.

4. The “Swap on Board” Move

Once on the plane, keep an eye out. Spot an empty aisle seat? Ask the crew if you can move. Want to sit with your partner who’s two rows back? Ask the nearby passenger for a switch. People are surprisingly accommodating—especially if you offer the window or aisle.

5. Join the Airline’s Loyalty Program

Even basic tier members of frequent flyer programs sometimes get early access to seat selection perks.

6. Use SeatGuru

Before paying, check the aircraft map on SeatGuru.com to see if your chosen seat is even worth the money (some “extra legroom” seats are… not).

7. Fly Airlines That Don’t Play Games

Some airlines (like Southwest) don’t assign seats at all, while others include seat selection in the base fare. When in doubt, do a quick Google search before booking.

✈️ Final Boarding Thought

Airlines are betting you’ll be too tired, busy, or anxious to fight the system. But now you’ve got the knowledge—and a few sneaky tricks in your carry-on. So next time they try to charge you $37 for a seat near a window, remember: the sky’s free. Your seat should be too.