Getting ahead in the cheap seats

Reuters

Expect more competition for preferred economy class seats as travellers turns their backs on business class.

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Are you fed up with sitting in the back row of the plane, next to the toilet? Few subjects ignite passion like seat allocation but things are looking up as more airlines move toward online seat selection for passengers.

Airlines will always hold the ultimate power, reserving the best seats for the biggest spenders, but savvy passengers have more chance than ever of snagging a good spot.

The growing availability of online seat selection is linked to airlines' push towards online check-in, which lets passengers check-in a day or two prior to their flights.

This has been available on domestic routes for some time and is becoming increasingly available on international services. Some airlines offer online seat selection at the time of booking, some offer it as part of their online check-in (typically in the 48 hours prior to the flight) and some do both.

Even if you have booked through a travel agent - in which case you should ask the agent to put in a seat request for you - you can personally check and change your seat online. Singapore Airlines has gone one step further by allowing passengers to book an exit-row seat for an extra $US50 (about $70) a sector. These seats have extra leg room and are highly sought after but getting hold of one has traditionally been something of a lottery.

The airline is already suggesting the "preferred seat" concept could spread to other prized seats. A seat near an exit is restricted to passengers over 21 who are fit enough to open the doors in an emergency. Passengers who are pregnant, overweight or travelling with an infant need not apply. In fact, travellers with infants are prevented by most airlines from checking in online but can secure a seat by phoning the airline directly or through their travel agent. Ditto people with mobility issues.

One of the biggest frustrations travellers have with online seat selection is that the front half of the plane is almost always "full" even if they log on the minute the airline releases the seats.

This is because seat availability is dependent on the type of fare you have booked and your frequent-flyer status. If you fly once a year and have booked a super cheap ticket, you are unlikely to get a seat in the front half of the plane. Airlines also have to balance the load when a flight is not full - so everyone can't sit at the front. As such, there are never any guarantees but you would be mad not to try. You should at least have the chance to choose a window or an aisle seat and steer clear of the seat next to the toilet.

THE LOWDOWN

Expect more competition for preferred economy-class seats as travellers turn their backs on business and first-class travel in tough times.

Figures from the International Air Transport Association show the number of business and first-class tickets fell 11.5 per cent in November after dropping 6.9 per cent in October.

Many of these travellers were frequent business travellers who have been downgraded due to corporate cost cutting. Still, these travellers will be given priority seating, making it that bit harder for leisure travellers to get their preferred seat.

- © Fairfax NZ News