I know most of us fly to our destinations before getting on a train or bus or boat... dunno about the rest of you, but while I'm happy to get a cheap ticket just about anywhere, I still want the best seat they'll give me. I've stashed years of flying experience into my noggin to pick the best airplane seats I can - when given the choice, but now I don't think I have to do the thinking anymore..

http://www.seatguru.com

It doesn't cover every airline in the world (hell, not even every airline to service the US) but it has a pretty good selection of airlines and their planes, along with detailed seating charts and ratings. Pretty handy :)

^very nice indeed

Good find Omi!

it seems like you would need to know what you are flying on and have already purchased your ticket for this site to be useful

is that right?

I use that site. It's pretty handy.

Jake - in some cases on-line sites will tell you the aircraft make and model prior to you purchasing the ticket. However, in some cases you will have to investigate after a ticket is purchased. Hopwever, you can always call and change your seat for free assuming there is availability.

I love that site. :) Made my hellish trip to Birmingham (UK) via Detroit and Amsterdam :blink2: on Northwest/KLM MUCH easier to bear than it would have been otherwise! :cheers:

Well that's handy!! Thanks!

The only flight I didn't really like my seat was from Toronto to London via Air Transat. It was packed and I got a window seat, 3 seats deep. Bleh. All my other flights were nice 'cause I managed to score a row with 3 seats and only 2 people, or 2 seats deep with my sister. She doesn't mind sharing comfy spaces and traded me the window seat for my aisle.

I always check in early so the people at the counter are usually like "Where would you like to sit?" I had no clue how seats could differ!!!! Achks...

Jenn

I'm all over the early check-in when I fly - I always try to get to the airport 5 hours in advance of my flight...my last trip was to Sweden and I was able to get an emergency aisle seat...the woman at check in told me they don't assign seating ahead of time until they actually see the passenger - they can assess the needs of the passenger this way (size, injured, with a baby, etc)...excellent idea...that was with Air Canada.

This is great for me (taller than the average bear) - leg room is essential! :).

I'm all about the emergency exit leg room.

Maybe this'll put an end to my constant wing seats. :wacko:

I used to feel the same, and generally, for domestic flights I still feel that way. However, last year I flew to Australia and me and my buddy ended up getting assigned to the exit row. At first we were like YEAH! Then reality set in. The galley was right next to us - constant commotion, light and noise. Also, because there was so much space in front of us people were constantly standing virtually on top of us stretching, talking and just generally loitering...this happened non-stop the entire flight. Not fun on a 16+ hour flight when you want to sleep.

So - the moral is...use seatguru to make sure these factors are considered for long flights - things are not always as they appear!

(Now I am a Premier member with United, so, while they have mostly old, crappy planes, I get to be seated in their Economy Plus section which has 6 extra inches of legroom...big bonus. They are one of the few airlines that has this)