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From Seats That Don’t Recline to Rows Without Windows, Discover the Worst Places on the Plane and Learn Strategies to Secure a Better Seat Without Spending a Penny More.
Choosing a seat on the plane hasn’t always been a complicated task, but since airlines started charging for advance seat selection, getting a good spot has become an art. The good news is that most of the time, you don’t need to pay to avoid the most hated seats.
According to the portal Melhores Destinos, the largest travel promotion site in Brazil, there are some simple strategies that can ensure a much more comfortable flight. Below, we’ve listed the worst places on the plane and expert tips to avoid them.
The List of Most Hated Seats: Where You Shouldn’t Sit
Not all seats are created equal. On the same plane, there are spots that can turn a long flight into a real nightmare.
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The Last Rows: Usually, seats located in the last row of each section, those that are against a wall or near an emergency exit, do not recline. On a 10-hour flight, this can be torture, especially if the passenger in front reclines their seat.
Near Bathrooms and Galleys: The problem here is the noise, brightness, and constant flow of people. Near the bathrooms, the sound of the flush and the banging of the door will be your travel companions. Near the galleys, the conversations of the flight attendants and the noise of meal preparations can disrupt your sleep.
The Middle Seat: The dreaded middle seat limits your movement and puts you in a constant struggle for the armrest with passengers on both sides.
Rows Without Windows: Yes, they exist. You prepare to see the clouds and are faced with a plastic wall. On Gol, for example, rows 7, 10, and 11 tend to be the “awarded” ones.
Seats With Limited Legroom: On some planes, entertainment system boxes are installed under certain seats, limiting the space to stretch your legs.
Other Situations That Can Ruin Your Flight
In addition to location, other factors can complicate your journey.
Broken Seats: Although airlines usually block these seats, you may end up with a seat that doesn’t recline or an entertainment system that doesn’t work. In this case, the recommendation is to complain immediately to the flight attendants.
Near Children: For those who are bothered by a baby crying, the tip is to avoid the first five rows of the plane. This is where airlines usually accommodate families and set up cribs.
How to Avoid the Worst Places on the Plane Without Spending Anything?
Fortunately, there are tricks to secure a good seat without paying extra for it.
Check-In Online as Early as Possible: Most airlines allow free seat selection at the time of check-in, which usually opens 1 to 3 days before the flight. Those who arrive first choose the best seats.
Use SeatGuru: Before checking in, consult the seat map of your aircraft on the SeatGuru website. It color-codes the worst places on the plane (in red), the ones with some issues (in yellow), and the best ones (in green).
Try Your Luck at the Airport: If you didn’t get a good seat during online check-in, don’t give up. Look for a company agent at the counter or at the boarding gate. Often, seats that were blocked are released at the last minute.
Extra Tips for Each Airline
- Latam: If during check-in the system assigns you a bad seat, cancel the check-in, wait a few hours, and try again. With luck, you’ll get a better seat on the second attempt.
- Azul: Free seat selection can be done 48 hours before the flight.
- Frequent Flyer Programs: Frequent passengers or those with status in frequent flyer programs generally don’t pay to select a seat and have access to better spots.
The “Consolation Prize”: The Back Row Can Have Its Advantages
Although they are considered one of the worst places on the plane, the seats in the “back row” can have an advantage. On flights with low occupancy, it’s in the back that entire empty rows often remain, which you can occupy and turn into an improvised “bed.”
What about you, have you ever had a bad experience choosing a seat? What’s the worst seat on the plane in your opinion? Leave your comment!
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