Best technique to get seat changed on a full transatlantic flight

Best technique to get seat changed on a full transatlantic flight - Man in airport waiting for boarding on plane

First flight with our 1 year-old. We just discovered she has motion sickness, so it’s going to be rough going since no medication is suitable for babies.

The only trick offered by our pediatrician is to get a window seat up front.

Trouble is, flight is fully booked. I called an agent, but she suggested just waiting till Check-in. Seems very risky.

Do any of you have suggestions on how we can convince someone to move us closer to the front and get a window seat, short of paying for an upgrade?

Thanks a million.

Delta airlines direct EU-US departing on Saturday .



Best Answer

You can try to check in early. Most website's state that check in opens 23 or 24 hours before departure. In many cases it opens 25 or 26 hours earlier and so if you try at these times, you are probably the first ones getting a shot at open seats.

Be prepared to split up. The chances of finding an open row is pretty much zilch. If you are lucky you may find a an open window+middle. Take it. Once you are on the plane, you can ask the isle passenger to switch. As long as your partner has an isle too most people will go for this.

Be prepared to pay extra: in many cases more desirable seats or seats more towards up front will incur an extra charge. This may actually help you, since they this makes them less likely to go first.

Otherwise, the best you can do is ask passengers to switch. This will be difficult. Many passengers are friendly and will happily help a family to sit together, but your "window+front+motion-sickness" story is fairly weak and most passengers are unlikely to take it seriously enough to give up the seat they have chosen.




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Which seat is best for international flight?

When choosing a seat, my objective is to keep the middle seat open. This can often be achieved by taking an aisle seat on the left or right of the plane but is less likely if you have a middle seat in the center section. On an aircraft with a 3-3-3 configuration this can be difficult.

Where should I sit on a long haul flight?

The best seat for maximum legroom: Any exit-row seat. The best seat for sleeping or limited noise: A window seat away from the bathroom and cabin crew areas. The best seat for minimal turbulence: A seat over the wing.

Is it worth paying for seat selection?

In fact, most regular airlines now charge for seat selection anyways. It's often around $10-$30 per seat per flight segment, so if you cave in and pay for that, it can add up quickly. You shouldn't do it. No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat.

What are the best economy seats on a plane?

The best seats on a plane
  • Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
  • Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
  • Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.




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