Is it worth paying for seats?

Don't fall for it. You can always skip seat selection and save the money, but do keep a few things in mind: Skipping seat selection doesn't mean you won't get a seat on the flight. You might get stuck in the middle seat if you don't pay for one.



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Given the huge upgrade over standard economy (but not necessarily the huge price point of the business or first class seats), Emirates premium economy seats are far harder to come by versus Emirates standard economy. But if you can come by a seat for sale, it's likely worth the extra cost.

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If you really value an aisle seat over a window seat or vice versa it can make sense to pay, but if you're not fussed, it's unlikely to be a significantly different experience if you wait until check-in to select a seat for free.

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Free seat selection from seven days before departure for everyone in your booking*. *You must be travelling on the booking (or in the case of Gold Members, one of the bookings) for these benefits to apply. They apply to British Airways flights only and are not available on group rate bookings.

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Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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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.

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Most airlines allow you to pick a different seat all the way up until boarding begins. So keep refreshing your seat map in the app and watch for an opening. You might be able to switch yourself to a row with an empty middle seat before you board.

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Often, an airline will automatically assign you a seat at this time—which could very well mean a window or aisle seat—saving you from having to fork out a little extra cash on a premium seat. If you don't have a seat assignment after check-in begins, just wait until you arrive at the airport.

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If you book a flight and don't choose specific seats, the airline will assign you a seat at check-in. Depending on the airline, you may be able to select a seat online for free or for a fee. Some airlines may also assign you a seat at the gate.

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The best seats in Economy Class In Economy, I'll typically choose a window or aisle seat near the front of the cabin or at the bulkhead. Another spot I often consider in Economy Class is an aisle seat located about 4-5 rows from the back.

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Average domestic airfare price by day
  • Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically.
  • Saturday and Monday flights can help you avoid the Sunday rush.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays are the cheapest day to fly internationally.
  • Book one to three months in advance.
  • Set a price alert.


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Ryanair offers the option to purchase reserved seats or free seats, which are assigned randomly during check-in. Passengers who choose 'random seat allocation' can check in between 24 hours and 2 hours before the flight departure time.

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Ryanair offers the option to purchase reserved seats or free seats, which are assigned randomly during check-in. Passengers who choose 'random seat allocation' can check in between 24 hours and 2 hours before the flight departure time.

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Some airlines have a policy of upgrading by only one level, so if you're hoping to get a business class seat, make sure your original ticket is the grade below that (usually premium economy or equivalent). Not all fares can be upgraded however, so don't buy a cheap fare with that expectation.

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If the airline allows, book a seat near the back of the plane where there's more legroom. Or if going for a window seat, choose one in the first row to have more space. Furthermore, good seats are usually in the middle of the plane – that way, travelers won't be affected by turbulence and can avoid noisy engines.

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