How can I get larger seats in airplanes without paying extra?

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dlgrl=me

become a member of their frequent flyers club--sometimes that will allow you to choose exit seats ahead of time, also check in at home online---that way you have first dibs (though not all airlines allow exit rows to be checked in at home)--if all else fails, be at least 2 hrs early for your flight and try at the airport.

freelancer_wyoming

You just have to hope that they over book the flight, so that they have to bump someone up to first class. Then you have to hope that they pick you.

singirl

Have to agree with buck and Reaper....ask and it shall be given!! Am sure that if the airlines could provide such excellent service, word will get around to boose their image! G:):)D luck!

Natasha B

stop being so stingy and buy first class seats. It will be worth it!

ooolala

I feel for you, I am also tall (6ft) which is tall for a female. They used to give me bulk head & emergency exit row for leg room but now I hear they charge an extra $36 for those seats. I just took a flight and this gentleman put his seat back and I kid you not, he was in my lap. I was reading the newspaper and because he was in my lap, the paper kept hitting him in the head. He got angry with me and I said "geez what do you expect, you're in my lap. If you put ur seat up a little maybe that would help." His response was "you need to control your newspaper." I've had this problem my whole life, I've learned to adapt myself into the human pretzel. I do feel for you :)

Wide Awake

Two ways that I know of -
1) Ask for an exit row
2) Ask for a bulkhead row

Sometimes they don't give these out until just prior to takeoff.

But be careful! This is the rule on most planes, that these rows have more leg room. But on a few planes, these rows actually have LESS leg room! So check with the airline after or while you book your ticket about that particular aircraft.

Will D

When I book my flights, I ask the agent to reserve a seat in the emergency exit aisle. Some airlines cannot reserve those seats, and for them I arrive at the airport long before anyone else for the same flight. When I check my luggage, I have the agent move my seat to the exit row. Bulkhead seating on some aircraft offers a bit of extra legroom as well. Even if the bulkhead seating does not offer more legroom, if you get the aisle seat, you can usually stretch out a little further than usual. You must keep moving your feet to allow for flight attendants and other passengers to pass by without tripping.

Happy travels!

Will D
Enterprise AL
http://www.notagz.com

MARK M

Check out: www.seatguru.com. It has the seating chart for many of the major airlines. They have color coded the best (and worst) seats on each of the plane models in their fleet.

Dave O

Try requesting the emergency row, as they have extra leg room built in, its even poss for there to be no row of seats infront of them. other then that you might be sol, you might also try the seats in the front row of economy class. One bad thing about emergency seats is that they don't recline.

browneyedbeauty4

You can't, unless u are willing to spend the money!

hbarrass

I feel sorry for you - I am only 1.85 but I find many seats too small (bad for knees!)

The obvious answers are to pay for business class; join premier mileage clubs & upgrade; etc. Some airlines (e.g. United) offer better economy seats for frequent flier members.

Take a look at these websites - it might influence your choices:

http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seat_intro.htm
http://www.smarttravelasia.com/economy.htm

starrynight107

That is definitely a problem.
Without paying extra, ask to sit it the first row of the economy class. Their are no seats in front and room to spread your legs.
Good luck!

Reaper King

get the seat that is closest to the door. lots of legroom

Sufi

use your frequent flier points to get upgrades.
let yourself get 'bumped' for upgrades.

Naim

The best way is to play dead and fly in a casket. then it is cheper since you fly cargo and you also get to lay down.
You can also arrange to be delivered directly to your destination.

Keep in mind that in some airlines it is not leagal to pretend to be dead.