Last seats on the plane. The best seats in economy class. Places behind emergency exits
If the flight is short, then perhaps this issue is not urgent for you. And for those who fly often and who are going on a long flight, it is important to know where the best seats on the plane are located. After all, you must admit, when planning a vacation to distant hot countries, we dream that it will be a great success, and the impression of it will not be blurred by the “difficulties of the flight.” You don’t want to sit somewhere in a cramped middle row, squeezed between overly plump passengers, or end up in the tail section, where there is not even a window, or be next to the toilet, where passengers are endlessly plying around.
If you know the make of the aircraft on which you are planning a flight, then the diagram of the aircraft can be viewed on the official website of the carrier. In most cases, such information is not available and it is better to use some when purchasing tickets general rules which we will describe here.
Porthole seats have many advantages:
- good lighting, especially if you are going to read;
- you can admire the views of cities during takeoff and landing or the bizarre views of clouds;
- you won't be bothered by squeezing your way to the exit.
These places have only one drawback: it will be difficult for you to go out into the passage, if you need to go to the toilet, you will have to disturb your neighbors. If you do not like to do this, but have a need to go out often, then it is better to take a ticket closer to the aisle.
By the passage
The places have advantages for long-legged and restless people. Here you can stretch your legs into the passage, stand up, stand for a while, and go to the toilet without hindrance. After landing, again, you will get off the plane faster. On the other hand, these are the most restless places. Flight attendants drive around with trolleys endlessly, sometimes even hitting us. Every time you have to get up when someone goes to the toilet.
Golden mean
Some, having weighed the pros and cons of the outer seats when deciding where it is better to sit on the plane, will take the seats in the middle; they are not too restless and they will not have to disturb their neighbors too much. If you need to get up, then at least you don’t have to go through everyone and fewer people pass through you, which means they will bother you less often.
Places behind emergency exits
These seats are located further away from the previous row, so it’s quite comfortable to sit here; you can stretch your legs and go to the toilet without disturbing anyone. Air carriers often leave such places for physically trained people, who in the event of an accident and evacuation (God forbid!) will be able to open an emergency exit. Also, according to the rules, it is strictly forbidden to block the passage to these places with suitcases.
Places behind emergency hatches
This is not very comfortable places in the sense that the chairs are not thrown back, they are fixed so as not to block the passages to the emergency exits. If the row is located between two emergency hatches, then the passenger has the advantage of having some additional space in front of him.
At the front of the plane
They are convenient because passenger service begins precisely from these places, and you have a larger selection of food and drinks. In addition, passengers in the front rows have the advantage of being able to walk down the plane faster. The negative aspect of these places is that passengers with children often take tickets here, since there are mounts for baby strollers in the bow. Well, everyone knows what it’s like to fly next to a child who is naughty.
Seats at the back of the plane
The seats here are usually economy class and there are considered to be few amenities. However, the biggest benefit that may outweigh all others when deciding which airline seats to choose is safety. According to statistics, during crashes and accidents, it is the passengers in the tail section who most often survive, since the main impact always falls on the nose of the plane.
Often on unloaded flights these seats remain free, and you can easily take several at once and even sleep. The disadvantages of these places include the fact that passengers in the tail section are served last.
What's good about the first row?
There are no seats in front of the first row on the plane, this is a big advantage:
- you will be able to stretch your legs;
- No one will recline the chair for you.
However, please note that the first row, in front of which there are no seats, may be after the rows of a different class of service or the one in front of which the kitchen is located. In this case, you will have to look at the wall the whole way, and bassinets for babies are often mounted on the wall. You can buy tickets for these places if necessary.
The last row
The seats in the last row are very uncomfortable because the seats do not recline, and if they recline, it is only a little, and you will not be able to rest properly, especially if it is a long flight.
This is a brief description of all types of seats on the plane, but you also need to take into account the following factors:
- number of service classes in the cabin;
- distance between rows;
- number of seats in a row.
All these characteristics are different various models liners.
Scheme for purchasing good seats on a plane
- Find out the model of the airliner you will be flying on. It would be a good idea to consult with airline employees and find out in general about the level of comfort of the cabin: the presence of sockets, the distance between the rows, whether there is a TV, where the toilet is located.
- Buy your ticket online or at self-check-in kiosks at the airport, if available. This way you can choose a free, comfortable seat. On airline websites you can find diagrams of aircraft cabins.
- If you buy tickets at the regular box office, just ask where you want them, “window” or “aisle.”
- Think about what is most important to you during the flight, what will you do - look out the window or sleep. It may be important for you to freely get out of your place at any time.
- Please note that the numbers and letters that indicate places can be written in both Cyrillic and Latin alphabet and the place may have a different location depending on this.
- Try to buy tickets on more open flights. Typically, planes are busy on Fridays and weekends, with morning and evening flights. If you want to choose comfortable seats, try to plan your trip in advance and take tickets from Monday to Thursday, for flights that depart at lunchtime or 2-3 hours later.
- To choose good seats, you must also take into account the direction of flight. For example, if you are flying from North to South in the morning, the sun will be on the left side. If you were flying in the opposite direction, to the North, the sun would be on the right.
What to do if you only managed to buy an inconvenient place
Try to arrive at the airport on time for check-in and boarding. Then you will have a few minutes after landing to find a more comfortable seat, in case one is available. Do not ask the flight attendant for permission; change seats yourself. When the landing is completed and the plane begins to gain altitude, it will be impossible to change planes. When the liner already gains altitude and it is allowed to get up from your seat, it may turn out that these seats are already occupied by more efficient passengers. In any case, you shouldn’t be upset, since you will always have time to take your purchased seat.
Emergency exit seats
There is usually sufficient legroom in front of emergency exit seats. These places have only one drawback: choosing them when registering online is almost impossible. An airline employee must seat you there upon check-in at the airport. This is done so that passengers who are in emergency situation will be able to open hatches and help with evacuation.
You are much more likely to get these advantageous places if you or your companion is a physically strong man.
Seats in the front of the cabin
These chairs often also provide increased legroom in front. An additional bonus: food begins to be served from the nose of the plane, so you can choose dishes from the entire assortment, and not from what is left.
But there are nuances. Many airlines reserve the first row for mothers with children, as this is where a bassinet for an infant can be installed. So, even if you find yourself in the coveted place, there is a risk of being surrounded by crying children.
Porthole seats
From these seats you can look out the window, read in natural light, and take pictures of clouds (if the airline allows photography on board). No restless neighbors will squeeze past. And you can sleep not only by leaning back in your chair, but also by clinging to the wall.
What are the worst seats on a plane?
Places in front of the emergency exit
As a rule, the seats here do not recline so that the backs do not block the road in case of an emergency. At the same time, the seats in the row in front are fully functional. Therefore, there is a high risk of flying with your nose and knees buried in the back of your neighbor in front.
Seats in the last row
These chairs also do not recline because there is a wall behind them. One of the disadvantages can be added to the fact that the flight attendants' trolley with food and drinks reaches the passengers of the last row fairly empty. There will be nothing to choose from, you will have to eat what they give.
Seats near the toilets
The flow of passengers rushing to the restroom and the sound of doors opening and closing will not allow you to get enough sleep.
How to get a comfortable seat
Pay
When checking in for flights and non-refundable tickets the place is assigned automatically. As a rule, these are uncomfortable chairs. But airlines offer to choose a seat for a fee: the more convenient it is, the more expensive it is. For Pobeda, changing a seat will cost 149–999 rubles, for S7 - 300–1,000 rubles, for UTair - 1,500 rubles. Since the service is provided on a commercial basis, the best places are honestly indicated on the salon diagrams.
Choose a place in advance and indicate it when registering
The arrangement of seats in the cabin depends not only on the aircraft model, but also on the airline. For example, on boards performing charter flights, most often the maximum possible number of seats is installed. This means that the distance between them is reduced to a minimum.
To understand where the emergency exits and toilets are on the plane, how many rows there are in the cabin and which one is the last, read the reviews. On the SeatGuru website you can enter the aircraft model, flight number and get a cabin diagram. Seat layouts in cabins are also available on airline websites.
Use the knowledge gained when checking in online or at the airport. For example, the best economy class seats on Aeroflot's Boeing 737-800 are in the sixth (first row of economy class) and thirteenth (near the emergency exit) rows. But the twelfth row is not the best choice: although the legroom is increased, the seats most likely do not recline.
Aeroflot.ru
Choose the least crowded flight and transfer
The fewest people wishing to fly are on flights on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday in the middle of the day. You can register for any seat, and then change to a comfortable one. It is better to first ask the flight attendant if this is allowed. Airlines that offer seat changes for an additional fee do not welcome such amateur activity.
Keep in mind that on the eve of the holidays any flight will be busy.
Be one of the last to register
An option for those who fly with a low-cost airline, but do not want to pay for a seat. The system automatically places you in uncomfortable chairs. Passengers choose the most comfortable ones for money. By the end of registration, seats of average comfort remain free, one of which you can take for free. But you shouldn’t delay registration too much either: if you overbook, you simply won’t be put on the plane.
What tricks do you know for choosing the best seats on a plane?
The sky, the plane, the girl... No, no, we’re not talking about a book, or even a movie, but rather about ideal conditions for flying on an airplane. And not only for girls, but for all passengers.
Agree, for those who fly frequently, this factor is fundamental, because sitting, for example, in the middle row, sandwiched on both sides by “moderately well-fed” fellow travelers, is not very pleasant. Or “get” to the back row, where there may be no porthole and the seats do not recline, and the proximity to the toilet (constant movement and other disadvantages) is not conducive to comfort.
So, in order to have a great time “at altitude”, you need to know where the best seats on the plane are located.
If you know the airline and the exact model of the aircraft you are going to fly on, look at the section with diagrams on our website. There are most of the aircraft diagrams of Russian air carriers.
If your plane has not been found or you do not have such information, this article provides general advice for you. In any case, it will be worth reading, that’s for sure.
Place near the porthole
pros
Firstly, no one will “squeeze” through your seat to theirs and will not disturb you, and secondly, the wonderful view of the clouds and their bizarre shapes will not let you get bored in case of a short flight.
True, it depends on the time of flight; at night, alas, you will not be able to see much.
Minuses
It is more difficult to get up from such a place, for example, to go to the toilet. You'll have to disturb your neighbors.
Aisle seat
pros
It is extremely convenient because you can stretch your legs into the aisle, get up, go to the toilet without hindrance, and also get to the exit a little earlier after landing the plane.
Minuses
People and flight attendants with carts will pass near you. They may hurt sometimes. Also, you will have to get up every time your neighbors want to get up from their chairs. These are more turbulent places.
Places “in the middle” - neutral places
These are "neutral" places. They combine the pros and cons of window seats and aisle seats. It’s quieter here than in the aisle and easier to get up than from the chair by the window.
But still, you will have to let one neighbor through if he wants to go out. And ask another neighbor to stand up if you want to go out.
Places located after emergency exits
pros
They are characterized by the fact that the distance to the next row is slightly increased, which allows you to pass the flight time with greater comfort - stretch your legs, stand up if necessary, without disturbing your neighbors. Some types of aircraft do not have a row of seats in front of the emergency exit/hatch seats at all.
Minuses
Often, airlines, for safety reasons, practice leaving these seats for people who meet the requirements of “a sound body, a sound mind” - it is assumed that in the event of an emergency evacuation such a person will not be confused, will be able to open the emergency hatch and help the staff get people out, but, Of course, not all airlines undertake such “planning”.
In this regard, passengers with children, animals and elderly people are not allowed here.
Another disadvantage is that the approach to the hatches cannot be blocked by hand luggage.
Places located in front of emergency hatches
Here, usually, there are only disadvantages - most often the backs of the seats in these rows are fixed or have a very small angle of deviation. This is done so as not to block the approaches to the escape hatches.
The row that is located in the section between two emergency exits also has a plus. In this case, there will be additional space in front of you (seen in the photo above, where the passengers are sitting).
Seats located in the front of the cabin
pros
More often than not, food service begins at the front, so the front rows offer convenience and a wide selection of drinks and food offered.
As a rule, if the seat is located at the rear of the plane, then the passenger is limited in the choice of assortment (everything is sorted out at the very beginning). In addition, the first row is an excellent opportunity to be one of the first to go down the ramp.
Minuses
But there are also disadvantages here - often mounts for baby bassinets are installed in the bow and there may be passengers with small children.
This does not contribute to comfort if you are going to work or relax.
Anyone who has flown near a child who does not tolerate the flight well and cries for 7 or 12 hours knows.
Places in the tail
The only significant advantage of this place is its relative safety.
According to American statistics, of all passengers who survived accidents, 67% were sitting in the back.
And if the airport is not equipped with telescopic bridges, then it happens that passengers are released/launched simultaneously from the bow and tail sections. If so, you'll get off the plane faster.
I will also note that on “unloaded” flights, the seats in the tail are usually empty. So you can comfortably sleep on 3 chairs at once. You can read about this in our article
First row/row in front of which there are no seats
If your row is the first (this can be not only the “first row” physically, but also the first row, after another class of service, or the first row in one of the sections of the cabin, in front of which there are no seats), then a significant advantage of this arrangement is that No one will throw back their seat on you. In conditions of small distance between rows economy class, this can be very important.
Of the minuses, we note that most likely there will be a partition or a kitchen/toilet in front of you. Some passengers find it not very convenient to look at the “wall” for the entire flight. Also, there may be mounts for baby cradles in the wall. What this entails - read above.
Last row/row behind which there are no seats
Most likely, the backs of the seats in this row do not recline or are very limited in this. This happens when there is an emergency exit, toilet, kitchen, other technical room or wall behind you.
Summarize
Here, in brief, is a list of good/bad places that a traveler can expect. But it is worth noting that the internal layout of aircraft differs significantly from each other, and this factor must also be taken into account.
In addition to the fact that the seats come in 2,3,4 rows, it is necessary to take into account the distance between the seats, the number of classes in the cabin, and other features. After all, the same company uses different types of aircraft for flights.
2. If you know specifically what seat you would like to get, you should ask this question when checking in for your flight at the airport (the seats that remain unoccupied after the flight are allocated there). If you have no idea about the location of the seats, ask to see a diagram of the aircraft’s interior - all free seats will be highlighted in the appropriate color.
Also, when checking in at the airport, you can simply ask for a window seat, an aisle seat, etc. Usually the staff does not refuse.
The traditional check-in method is best done two hours before departure. If seats are booked this way, the first registrants have a wide choice of available seats.
The busiest days are Sunday and Friday, with morning and evening flights. If you have time, choose Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday, midday or afternoon flights.
5. In order not to get into trouble, you should take into account the spelling of the letters indicating the seat number - they can be either Russian or Latin, and in certain situations, these are, as they say, two big differences that can overshadow the impression of the flight.
After all, for example, seat 1 “B” will have a different location, meaning both a chair near the aisle and in the middle of the row. Also pay close attention to the letter “E”.
6. Be sure to take into account the direction of flight - with the right choice of place, the sun will not blind your eyes: East - West (the sun always shines on the left), West - East (on the right). If there is a need to take a morning flight, the direction North - South will enjoy the sun on the left side, and South - North - on the right.
A meeting with the sky is always exciting, even if we're talking about about a business flight, especially if you have to fly quite often. Why feel discomfort from uncomfortable place, if you can find out in advance which seats on the planes will be most comfortable for you and, based on what considerations, it is better to choose them. It’s one thing to get off the plane fresh and rested, and quite another to be tired and exhausted, especially if you get a seat, for example, next to the toilet or if you are constantly forced to get out of your seat by a restless and fussy neighbor. We will try to give you a number practical recommendations and by using them, you can choose a seat that will allow you to enjoy your flight.
Of course, if you know which airline you will be flying on and know the brand of the airliner, you can choose your seat according to the plane layout in advance, but if you don’t know this, you should use general recommendations. You will learn them from this material, which you should definitely study, especially if air travel is a part of your life.
Seat near the porthole
pros
If you decide to take a seat by the window, you can be sure that, in most cases, it will be the calmest. Firstly, you will only have one neighbor, from whom you can always turn away if he annoys you and concentrate on contemplating the view outside the plane. Secondly, your row neighbors will not walk past you, that is, you will not have to stand up and, for example, be distracted from reading an interesting book.
Minuses
There is only one, very dubious drawback to be found in the window seat, which you will only feel if you experience difficulties in communication, and it will be unpleasant for you to disturb your neighbors if you need to go out, for example, to the toilet.
Place near the aisle
pros
If you like to sit with your legs stretched out, here you can do it completely freely without fear of disturbing anyone. Like near the porthole, here you will also have only one neighbor, which means there will be less chance that you will simply be bothered. Plus, you'll be able to get off the plane faster when it lands.
Minuses
Of course, you may be somewhat disturbed by passengers and flight attendants carrying carts past you, which they may accidentally hit. In addition, you will have to stand up if your neighbor or neighbors in the row want to leave.
The seats in the middle are neutral seats.
These places combine the positive and negative qualities of the extreme places on the row. You will be somewhat calmer on them than on the aisle seat, but you will still have to get up if your neighbor sitting at the window wants to get out.
In addition, in any case, you will have two neighbors, and if you do not like conversations with random fellow travelers, the likelihood of experiencing some discomfort from them doubles.
Places behind the emergency exit
pros
Due to the passage to the emergency hatch, the distance between the row before and after it is much greater, so you will be as comfortable as possible on the row behind the emergency exit. You can stretch your legs, get up and go out freely, without even disturbing your neighbors, just as they won’t bother you.
Minuses
However, a number of airlines select passengers for these seats based on certain criteria, who are quite young and physically strong. In fact, they are counting on the fact that if necessary, they will provide assistance to the crew in the event of an emergency.
You will also have very little chance of getting into these seats if you are flying with children, are older, or have pets with you. In addition, the disadvantages include the approach to the hatches, which cannot be blocked by hand luggage.
Places in front of the emergency exit
Here, as a rule, they install chairs that either do not recline at all, or the angle of tilt back is very limited. If this is critical for you, it is better to ask not to give you a place in this row.
However, the row located between the two emergency exits also has a plus. There will be extra room for your legs (look at the photo above where the passengers are sitting).
Seats at the beginning of the cabin
pros
Seats at the very beginning of the cabin also have their advantages and disadvantages. As a rule, food and drinks begin to be delivered from here, so passengers sitting in the front rows will have the richest choice.
In addition, they are located closest to the exit, they will have the opportunity to be one of the first to leave the plane immediately after landing.
Minuses
However, it should also be remembered that in this part of the aircraft it is usually mounts for baby strollers are installed and can be located space for passengers with small children, and such a neighborhood cannot be called calm.
Seats at the rear of the aircraft
This is not to say that these seats are ideal in terms of comfort, but if you are concerned about your own safety, then you will certainly benefit from this, since almost 70% of passengers who survived plane crashes sat in the rear of the plane.
It is also worth noting that on lightly loaded flights the “seats in the back” are usually empty, and if you do not want to be disturbed, you can easily ask for a seat there. In this case, you will have a chance to occupy a whole row and not be distracted by your neighbors.
Features of the first row (in front of which there are no seats)
It is worth noting that there are several such first rows on an airplane, and any row in front of which there are no seats has these features. For example, this is, naturally, the very first row, the row after the partition between the classroom or section, this also includes the row behind the emergency exit, which we have already talked about.
The main advantage of such a row can be considered that you will not be limited by the reclined back of the chair, which is located in front. This is where the advantages end, since usually the first row starts from the partition, and there will be a wall or kitchen/toilet in front of you. If this is indifferent to you, you can assume that there are no shortcomings in such rows.
Seats in the last row
By analogy with the first row, there can also be several “last rows”. These include rows in front of the walls and a row in front of the emergency exit. Their main drawback is the limited recline angle of the backrest, and in some cases it can even be rigidly fixed.
For short flights this is not critical, but if you plan to sleep, you are unlikely to be able to do so comfortably.
Summarize
In fact, we have considered all the features that can be used to assess how comfortable it will be for a person to fly, taking into account his preferences. But it should be remembered that even in aircraft of the same type, the internal layout can differ significantly.
It is also worth knowing that rows can consist of 2,3,4 seats and be installed with different distances between the rows, so only the layout of the specific aircraft on which you will fly will allow you to be sure that you will feel comfortable.
4 - You will also have an advantage if you go through regular check-in, which begins 2 hours before departure, as one of the first, since there are still many unoccupied seats and you will have the opportunity to choose. You should also pay attention to how busy the flight is, since the chance of flying comfortably on a plane that is not fully staffed with passengers will be much higher.
This should be taken into account when choosing a time for a flight, if, of course, such an opportunity exists. The chance of getting on an unbooked flight is much higher if you fly from Monday to Thursday in the middle of the day.
5 - When booking seats, you should definitely carefully look at what font is used for their numbering, Russian or Latin, otherwise you may be somewhat upset to find that your seat is not at all where you planned.
For example, seat 1B can be either an aisle seat or in the middle of the row.
6 - You can also take care that the sun does not blind you if you remember that when flying from east to west, the sun will shine on the left, and from west to east on the right. When flying from north to south, the sun will shine on the left in the morning, and on the right in the evening, and vice versa when flying from south to north.
Not everyone can afford to fly in business class and take up slightly more space than a standard seat. Those who fly often know that the chance of sitting with a large person or someone with different ideas about hygiene than you is very high. It’s impossible to avoid this, but you can try to sit near a window or in an aisle if that makes it more comfortable for you to survive the hardships of the flight.
Russian Forbes gives practical advice on how not to make a mistake with your seat on the plane.
1. Find out more about the model and the location of seats on the plane
You can find out what model of aircraft a particular flight is on on the airline’s website. Aircraft different airlines They differ quite greatly from each other in terms of cabin comfort. The websites SeatGuru, SeatExpert have all the details about the layout of a wide variety of aircraft: the presence of electrical sockets and TVs in the backs of the seats, the location of toilets, the spacing between rows (usually it is 80 cm, but some companies, such as JetBlue, have increased it by 5 cm) - this seemingly small difference is very noticeable on long flights.
The first row behind business class is considered the most comfortable: there is more legroom, no one sits in front of you - which means no one reclines their seat back on you, you will be the first to receive food, drinks, newspapers, you will get blankets and pillows, for Traveling with small children, it is possible to attach a cradle for babies to the wall and install a child seat. But this also has its drawbacks - because of the tables hidden in the armrests, it is impossible to lift these armrests and turn the chair into a sofa, or to place a sleeping child on your lap. And if, for example, you are going to work on the road or prepare for a business meeting, you should hardly try to sit in the front rows: being close to children (and there are usually more of them here) is unlikely to contribute to concentration.
Seats near emergency exits are also held in high esteem by experienced travelers: the spacing between the rows here is 15 cm greater than in the rest of the cabin, but depending on the layout of the cabin, the seat backs often do not lower (on long flights you will regret this) and cannot be kept on the floor hand luggage. The rules require that only tall adults be seated in these seats.
“To be honest, for obvious reasons, when registering, first of all they look to ensure that the person is physically strong, energetic and, how can I put it, smart,” says Boris Rybak, director of the consulting company Infomost. “In case of an emergency, he must open the door and help the crew evacuate the passengers.”
Although there are cases when even a fragile girl could convince an airline employee that she needed to fly in this particular row.
In the middle of the cabin, for a significant part of the flight you find yourself “locked” by carts with food, drinks, newspapers, and duty-free goods. In addition, rows 8-20 are usually the noisiest area on the plane; all the noise from the engines and turbines is concentrated here. But there is no such information on the websites and diagrams of salons, and help to find more quiet place Only airline employees at check-in will be able to different types aircraft have different noise distribution graphs.
In the back of the plane, the space is a little narrower (this is the geometry of the plane) - sitting there is more crowded, the shaking is stronger, there is a small selection of food, newspapers and magazines (based on the principle of what is left), next to it is a toilet, which most often has a queue - which means noise. The only plus is that the tail seats are considered safer.
2. Book your seats in advance
Advance booking allows you to choose your seats on the plane long before the flight. This is especially convenient for those who fly in large groups - it is difficult to expect that they will all be able to seat you next to each other. British Airways has introduced an additional fee for bookings since October of this year: now, for the opportunity to choose a convenient seat, economy class passengers will have to pay 10 pounds ($16) on European flights and 20 pounds ($32) on long flights, and 20 pounds ($32). ) and 60 pounds ($98) respectively for business class passengers. But most airlines (with the exception of low-cost airlines, which charge everything) still provide this service for free when purchasing tickets both online and at airline offices. But few people know about it - because for some reason it is not particularly advertised by either the carriers themselves or the agents.
When you pre-book your seat, you can also order a special meal for yourself (which few people know about either) - all air carriers have different lunch options. Transaero, for example, offers a choice of about 30 different lunches - vegetarian, kosher, Muslim, low-calorie, diabetic and others, plus 2 types of baby food.
3. Use online registration
You can also choose a seat that is convenient for you during online check-in; this procedure is becoming increasingly popular - you can check in at the airport at special kiosks, and even on the airline’s website. This way you save a lot of time (you can arrive at the airport at least 50 minutes before departure), however, there are a number of restrictions - you must travel without luggage, without small children, without animals. In general, this option is suitable for a businessman traveling light. In addition, some companies, for example, Delta or Air Berlin, do not display seats near emergency exits (which are considered good by travelers) in the online check-in system, reserving them for tall and large passengers. The second point is that not all companies in Russia have online registration counters, and so far only in Moscow - at Dodomedovo and Sheremetyevo-2.
In the near future - the creation of a single group boarding pass, which will allow, for example, a large family or a group of passengers to get seats next to each other - for this they will not all have to be at the airport at the same time, 1 person will be able to register the entire group: The data of several travelers at once will be stored on the chip of one ticket.
4. Arrive early for registration
Do not neglect the simplest and most proven way to get the desired seat in the cabin: do not be lazy and arrive at the beginning of registration. According to the director of the press service of Transaero airline Sergei Bykhal, “the airline’s employees at check-in always try to meet passengers halfway and take into account their wishes.” For those traveling alone, this option is also possible: take a chance and play the lottery - on the contrary, arrive at the very end of check-in: if you are lucky, you may be given a seat in business class, and if you are unlucky, you will get a seat from which all other passengers have already refused.
5. Choose days of least traffic to fly.
Experts recommend, if possible, scheduling flights on days and times when airports are least busy - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. The busiest days are Friday and Sunday. The busiest flights are morning and evening. In the half-empty cabins of “weekday” flights, the flight attendants themselves will offer you to change seats to unoccupied rows - it’s quite possible to sleep on three seats.
6. Try "unofficial ways"
Just a few years ago, the practice of obtaining good places on board or access to business class for a bribe to airline employees (500 rubles enclosed in your passport can still open your way to a seat at the emergency exit, but we do not recommend this). American Forbes.com tells the story of a passenger who, on a flight from New York to Germany, was helped by a hundred-dollar bill to get into business class. True, on the way back with the German airline staff, the same trick did not work.