How to get and keep the aircraft seat you want - When you should and should not swap seats

Aircraft seats. Photo by Angela Lansbury.

 To get the seat you want, first check the season (month) day of the week, times of day of your flight and the prices. An early flight might require an early checkin and getting up early to leave home or check out of your hotel. 

Breakfast

You might be missing breakfast. One year in the USA I had four breakfasts, one at home and three on flights, and was offered another on arriving at my hotel. 

Check seat availability. The window seat alows you to see the scenery, take photos, sleep against the wall. The aisle seat is good for jumping up when the toilets are free, hailing the passing steward for food or a query. 

I like the aisel because I have a mild claustrophobia and fear of flying at heights, seeing down the aisle, watching other screens and crew looking calm, not seeing the ground far below. It is easier for my husband to find me, check up, chat, help me with overhead luggage, and surrptitiously pass me chocolates. I would be happy to change an window or middle seat for the aisle. 

The middle doubles your chances of chats with a new friend. You can hop out to the toilet when the person in the aisle gets up.

If you are in the aisle, when you get up for a restroom break, you might ask the others if they wish to go. If you are not in a hurry, if you let them go first, you don't have to stand up again when they return.

You can lift the armrest of the aisle seat to let yourself and the others out more easily.

Should you swap seats? If the other seat is an advantage. If you don't care. If you are not obliged to abandon the goods in your overhead locker. 

On a cheap flight with non assigned seats, sometimes the crew ask you if you would mind changing seats.

On a large aircraft with assigned seating, sometimes the crew ask you not to swap seats until after takeoff, and to resume the correct seat during landing. That is so that in the event of an accident, the right family is informed of your injury, death, transfer to hospital, whatever.

You also want to consider your speed in exiting the plane, if you are in transit, or being met by a taxi or family. A seat nearer the front exit might suit you better.

In flight Special Meals

During the flight, staying in the correct seat is helpful if you have ordered a special meal. It saves the staff from having to hunt for you. No risk of your meal being given to the wrong person or not getting any meal.

Losing the aisle seat during takeooff and landing could mean that you don't get to see the view and take photos. However, mostly if the person by the window has their eyes open, or their own camera taking pictures, they will gladly take a photo or two for you using your camera or mobile phone.

Useful websites

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-12886815/Never-switch-seats-man-plane-spot-moving.html#comments

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