Everyone asks ...

How do I score the best seat on a plane?

Easy — pay for it. But while a premium economy or business seat will cost you heaps more than a discount economy seat, there are ways to wring extra comfort and calm out of economy without major expense.

Many airlines, including Qantas and Virgin, now sell off their exit-row seats, those highly desirable positions by the emergency exits, which give you extra stretch room.

One of the best deals comes from Singapore Airlines, which sells its "Preferred Seats" for $US50 ($53) a sector, even if it is the 12-hour haul between Singapore and Europe.

The normal rules for exit-row seating still apply: namely, the occupant must be 18 or over and able to open an emergency exit door and assist flight crew in an emergency.

Another great deal is Optiontown (optiontown.com). Working with a handful of discount carriers, it sells any unsold business and premium economy seats at a huge discount. AirAsia, SAS, Air India and Vietnam Airlines have signed up with Optiontown.

The bargains are real: I've requested an upgrade to a sleeper seat on an overnight AirAsia flight in July from Kuala Lumpur to Sydney for just more than $100. I might not hear if my request has been successful until I am at check-in, but family members have come home smiling recently.

Got a better idea? Comment below.

- Sydney Morning Herald

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