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Let’s face it. No one wants to be stuck in the middle seat, in the middle row, near the toilets.
From getting a bit of extra legroom to sitting far away from crying babies, here are eight handy tips that can help make your next flight a lot more comfortable.
Depending on the model and layout of the plane you’re flying, what you think is an aisle seat might end up being squeezed between two passengers. And on planes that narrow toward the back, the letters allocated to each seat may change. It’s a good idea to check the seat map carefully when choosing your seat to avoid disappointment.
Like TripAdvisor for airplane seats, SeatGuru offers reviews of seats on most major airlines. It provides seat maps (such as the one pictured below) and you can hover over each allocated seat and read notes about them. The site will usually note things like extra legroom and proximity to the bathrooms.
Images: SeatGuru
There are a few apps out there that can help you trade or swap with other passengers to get better seats. Others can alert you when seats have become available on your flight.
Working with select airlines, Optiontown allows passengers who have already booked their tickets to pay as little as a quarter of the regular price for extra baggage or a seat upgrade. It also offers an option if you want to pay to have an empty seat next to you.
You just need to enter your airline, reservation number and name to see what options are available. If you choose to book one, you’ll get confirmation before you take off. If you can’t get your upgrade, you’ll get your money (minus an admin fee) back.
Sometimes the nominal fee for a few inches of extra legroom can be worth it – especially if you’re tall or are on a long-haul flight. For longer flights, Tigerair charges $25 each way, Jetstar charges $47 each way, Virgin Australia charges $50 each way and Qantas charges $60 each way.
If you don’t want to pay for the privilege of a good seat, it’s a good idea to make note of when your flight’s online check-in opens. The earlier you check in for your flight, the sooner you’ll have your assigned seat.
Budget airline competitors Scoot and AirAsia X both offer a separate, child-free section. This option is ideal for those trying to catch some sleep without having to worry about being seated next to a crying infant.
It could be worth asking politely at check-in and again at the gate whether there are any better seats available, or if there are spots still available in the exit row. While it’s unlikely you’ll get an upgrade to first class, it’s certainly worth a try.
Believe it or not, each part of the plane does have its benefits. Depending on what your personal needs are when you're flying, here are a few things you might want to consider.
As noted above, some airlines let you pay extra to sit in a designated quiet zone. It’s ideal if you’re hoping to sleep during the flight.
If you’re worried about a turbulent flight, sitting above a wing tends to reduce the amount of movement you feel.
Not all flights will disembark using both the front and rear doors. So if you need to get off the plane quicker, choose a seat toward the front of the plane, or as close to it as your ticket class will allow.
If a roomier flight is your main priority, choose a seat toward the back. Flights tend to fill up from front to back, so selecting a set at the back gives you a higher chance of having an empty seat next to you – or a whole row if you’re really lucky.
Qatar Airways
Europe flights from $999 return
Available for travel between 1 February - 2 October 2020. Destinations include Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Greece, Italy, and more. Sample fare is Sydney-Barcelona in economy class. T&Cs apply.
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Aunt Betty
Bali flights from $232 return
Available on select travel dates from February - September 2020. Other flights available with Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Australia and more. Sample fare is Perth-Denpasar (Bali) with Malindo Air. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Australia-wide flights from $89 each way
Available for travel between February - May 2020. Sample fare is Gold Coast-Sydney. Destinations include Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Cairns, Darwin, Hamilton Island and more. T&Cs apply.
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Expedia.com.au
Rome flights from $876 return
Available for flights February - March 2020. Sample fare is from Melbourne.
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Skyscanner
Philippines flights from $282 return
Available for flights on select dates from 1 January - 31 May 2020 with Cebu Pacific. Sample fare is Melbourne-Manila. Destinations include Cebu, Davao and more.
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Skiddoo
San Francisco flights from $803 return
Available on select travel dates from January - October 2020. Sample fare is Melbourne-San Francisco with Delta Air. Other flights with Virgin Australia, Hawaiian Airlines, Air New Zealand, Fiji Airways, Qantas and more. T&Cs apply.
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Aunt Betty
Los Angeles flights from $806 return
Available on select travel dates from January - March 2020. Other flights available with Qantas, Delta Air lines, Air New Zealand, American Airlines , Cathay Pacific and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-Los Angeles with Virgin Australia. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 10% off international flights with code
Valid for travel on select dates on Getaway, Freedom and Business fares. Destinations include across Australia to Bali, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Port Moresby or Pacific Islands. Minimum of 20-day advance purchase. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 10% off international fares with code
Valid for travel on select dates. Must book 20 days in advance. Destinations include across Australia to New Zealand, Hong Kong, Bali, Port Moresby and Pacific Islands. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Aunt Betty
Singapore flights from $484 return
Available on select travel dates from February - November 2020. Other flights available with Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines, British Airways and more. Sample fare is Perth-Singapore with Qantas. T&Cs apply.
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Aunt Betty
New York flights from $1,022 return
Available on select travel dates from January - May 2020. Other flights available with Qantas, Delta Air lines, Air Canada, American Airlines, Virgin Australia and more. Sample fare is Sydney-New York with United Airlines. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 15% off flights with code
Discount applies 7% off for Getaway, Elevate and Freedom, and 15% off Business fares within Australia and to Hong Kong, New Zealand and Fiji. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Tokyo flights from $699 return
Available for travel between April - September 2020. Sample fare is Adelaide-Tokyo.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 10% off worldwide business flights with code
Valid for travel on select dates to all destinations. Includes 5% discount to Getaway, Elevate and Business Saver fares.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 15% off business flights with code
Available for travel on select dates excluding blackout dates 9-13 April 2020. Discount applies to all destinations. Includes 10% off for Getaway, Elevate and Business Saver. Minimum of 20-day advance purchase applies. T&Cs apply.
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STA Travel
Japan flights from $589 return with Virgin Australia
Choose the $689 fare and enter the code upon checkout. Available on travel from 29 March - 30 November 2020. Sample fare is Brisbane-Haneda. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
South Pacific flights from $499 return
Available for flights 15 April - 31 May 2020 with Air Vanuatu. Sample fare is Brisbane-Vanuatu.
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Air New Zealand
Norfolk Island flights from $219 each way
Available on travel dates from December 2019 - August 2020. Sample fare is Brisbane-Norfolk. T&Cs apply.
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Flight Centre - International
Hawaii flights from $656 return
Valid for travel from 1 February to 31 March 2020 with Jetstar. Sample fare is from Gold Coast to Hawaii. T&Cs apply.
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Virgin Australia
Up to 10% off worldwide flights with code
Valid for travel until 29 June 2020. Discount applies to Getaway, Elevate, Premium Economy, Business Saver and Business fares. Minimum of 20-day advance purchase. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Coupon code ends
Kayak
Up to 35% off flights worldwide
Subscribe to Kayak newsletter and receive personalised private deals of up to 35% off. Destinations include Europe, Asia, America, Australia and more. T&Cs apply.
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STA Travel
Europe flights from $539 each way
Available on select travel dates from January - November 2020. Sample fare is Perth-Paris with Thai Airways. Other destinations include London, Rome, Manchester, Dublin and more.T&Cs apply.
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STA Travel
Hawaii flights from $729 return
Available on select travel dates from January - September 2020. Sample fare is Sydney-Honolulu with Qantas. Other flights available with Fiji Airways, Hawaiian Airlines and more.T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
STA Travel
Bali flights from $279 return
Available on select travel dates from February - September 2020. Other flights available with Malindo Air, Virgin Australia, Garuda Indonesia and more. Sample fare is Perth-Denpasar (Bali) with Air Asia. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
STA Travel
North America flights from $559 each way
Valid for travel between May 2019 and April 2020. Sample fare is Sydney–Los Angeles with Air New Zealand.
Last verified
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Skyscanner
Bangkok flights from $216 each way
Available for flights on select dates including Christmas season. Sample fare departs from Perth with Scoot. Other flights with Virgin Australia, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skiddoo
Korean Air international flights from $992 return
Available on select travel dates in 2020. Sample fare is Sydney-Prague. Other destinations include Seoul, Amsterdam, New York, Vancouver and Frankfurt. T&Cs apply.
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Skiddoo
Phuket flights from $381 return
Available on select travel dates from February - August 2020. Sample fare is Perth-Phuket with Malindo Air. Other flights with Qantas, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, China Southern and more. T&Cs apply.
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Aunt Betty
Paris flights from $885 return
Available on select travel dates from January - March 2020. Other flights available with Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Australia and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-London with China Southern Airlines. T&Cs apply.
Last verified
Deal ends
Aunt Betty
London flights from $965 return
Available on select travel dates from January - March 2020. Other flights available with Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei, Etihad Airways, British Airlines, Cathay Pacific and more. Sample fare is Melbourne-London with China Southern Airlines. T&Cs apply.
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Cathay Pacific
Hong Kong flights from $675 return
Available on select travel dates from February - June 2020. Sample fare is from Melbourne. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
Bali flights from $373 return
Available for travel until January 2020 including Christmas season. Sample fare is Perth-Denpasar with AirAsia and Citilink. Destinations include Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and more. T&Cs apply.
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Skyscanner
India flights from $465 each way
Available for flights in December 2019 including Christmas season. Sample fare is Perth-Amritsar. Destinations include New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and more.
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Skyscanner
Thailand flights from $605 return
Available for flights on select dates including Christmas season. Sample fare departs from Perth to Surat Thani. Destinations include Bangkok, Phuket and more.
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Skyscanner
Phuket flights from $360 each way
Available for flights on select dates in December 2019. Sample fare departs from Perth.
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Deal ends
Skyscanner
Hong Kong flights from $399 each way
Available for flights on select dates in December 2019 including Christmas season. Sample fare departs from Darwin.
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Skyscanner
Sydney flights from $76 each way
Available for flights on select dates in December 2019. Sample fare departs from Melbourne.
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Skyscanner
Melbourne flights from $89 each way
Available for flights on select dates in December 2019 including Christmas season. Sample fare departs from Sydney.
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Skyscanner
Frankfurt flights from $721 each way
Available for travel on select dates in December 2019 including Christmas season. Sample fare departs from Sydney. Destinations include Munich and more.
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Skiddoo
Domestic flights from $184 return
Valid for travel until January 2020. Sample fare is Melbourne–Hobart. Destinations include Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Perth and more.
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| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Dec 2019 | Up to 10% off international flights with code | HNV**** |
| 10 Dec 2019 | Up to 10% off international fares with code | DFR**** |
| 9 Dec 2019 | Up to 10% off worldwide business flights with code | BKT**** |
| 9 Dec 2019 | Up to 15% off business flights with code | BHJ**** |
| 6 Dec 2019 | Japan flights from $589 return with Virgin Australia | TOK**** |
Feature image: Etihad
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Emirates has 3 tiers of economy fares, Saver,Flex and Flexplus. The website shows the benefits / services provided for each tier. For example, baggage allowance, miles earned and miles required to obtain an upgrade. However it does not say whether the higher tiered (more expensive) fare gives one a better chance of obtaining miles / points upgrade.
Does a Flexplus fare improve chances of getting a point/ miles upgrade to business class?
Hi John,
Thanks for reaching out to finder. I hope all is good on your end.
Yes, there is an advantage because you need fewer Miles to upgrade a Flex Plus fare compared to a Saver fare. Flex Plus fares in Economy Class and Business Class can be upgraded at any time before departure based on availability whereas special fares (their most affordable fares) are not eligible for upgrades. Economy Class Saver fares can be only be upgraded within 48 hours prior to departure (before online check-in).
Please do note that tickets eligible for upgrades cannot be upgraded later than six hours before departure. You may also review the Fare Conditions and applicable restrictions at the time of booking.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith