By Joanna Hall, Travel Expert
www.ultimatetravelmagazine.com
As anyone who has ever flown long distance knows, where you sit on a flight can make a big difference to your comfort level. So, we’ve asked seasoned traveller Joanna Hall for her expert advice on picking the best seats on the plane – without upgrading to First Class!
Let’s be honest – travelling today just isn’t as fun as it used to be. Gone are the days when flying long haul used to be part of your holiday; for many people, the idea of being cooped up in cramped conditions for hours on end, even if the destination is Hawaii, fills them with dread.
Over the years, airlines have sneakily crammed more and more seats into ‘cattle class’, to make room for new premium economy cabins and, rubbing salt right into the wound, a bigger business class. So what can you do about it?
With carriers like Jetstar, for example, you can pay an additional fee for an Extra Leg room Seat with certain fares. On our upcoming flight from Sydney to Osaka [Japan], it has cost us an extra $60 per person. Virgin call this the ‘Blue Zone’, and a seat where you can stretch out can be pre-reserved for only $45 on a flight of more than 180 minutes.
Another tip is to get familiar with aircraft types, and phrases such as “seat configuration” when you are booking – especially in economy class. And don’t worry that doing this might make you sound like a know-it-all; when it comes to seating, there can be a world of a difference between a Boeing 777-300 ER and a 747-400. The former has two seats on either side of the economy cabin, which is great for couples or singles, while on the latter plane it’s three.
Another great tip: is to consult the website www.seatguru.com before you book. It features information on most major airlines, including the types of planes they fly and their seat configurations. Best of all, there’s a comprehensive glossary that will tell you if a seat is a good pick, or if it’s mixed, has drawbacks, or is poor. At least this way, if you have to travel down the back, you have the opportunity to request a good seat, or change a bad one.
Joanna is the editor of the Ultimate Travel Magazine – Australia’s first online magazine dedicated to the best in luxury travel.