Flights - Middle Seats in the Middle Row

[caly 48]

I know this isn't a flying forum, but with all the long distance relationships here, I'm sure at least some of you fly quite frequently so I thought I'd throw this question out there to see if anyone had any thoughts or suggestions.

I just had my interview on Wednesday and it went well enough that Hubby and I went ahead and purchased plane tickets (dates are changeable at no extra charge anyway) that evening.

We will be flying to the US in about 3 weeks on Singapore Airlines. I suppose due to the peak travel season and the relatively close proximity to our travel date, the seat selection tool only shows that there are adjacent seats right smack in the middle of the plane (middle seats in the row of seats). The plane has a 3-4-3 configuration.

Is there any chance of us getting an aisle seat at this point? We haven't amassed enough miles for upgrades yet. Would it really help at all to call up the airline to see if they have something better/check-in as early as possible or is this what we are going to be stuck with for the 21 hours or so on the plane? If nothing can be done, we'll make the best of it.. but I would really appreciate an aisle seat!

Additionally, any middle seat horror stories to tell or tips about making a long haul flight in the middle seat bearable?

[AmyWrites 593]

Good news is Asians aren't fat so you'll be more comfortable.

Definitely check in earlier and... ask nicely "Can I move seats?". I've done this and it's gotten me upgrades to first class on trans-atlantic flights

[hnubno 9]

You can try calling but usually you can see if you can get aisle seats when you check in. I did had to sit in the middle in the middle section (where you're talking about) on Koreanair and found out that those two seats and the space were quite spacious. More so then the seats/space area by the window. if I go international flights again I think I rather take a middle section. Although we did have to excuse when we had to get up. So in conclusion middle section is better then window section.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Typically 24 hours before the flight the airline releases any reserved seats and you may snag a reserved seat then. Check early.

[Merrytooth 5,748]

Just pay more to get the aisle seats during the 24 hours flight check in since they are premium seating.

That's how the airlines squeeze money from passengers..

[caly 48]

Good news is Asians aren't fat so you'll be more comfortable.

Definitely check in earlier and... ask nicely "Can I move seats?". I've done this and it's gotten me upgrades to first class on trans-atlantic flights

Oh, so that trick does sometimes work! That's nice to know. Do they usually upgrade you for free or did you have to pay a fee?

You can try calling but usually you can see if you can get aisle seats when you check in. I did had to sit in the middle in the middle section (where you're talking about) on Koreanair and found out that those two seats and the space were quite spacious. More so then the seats/space area by the window. if I go international flights again I think I rather take a middle section. Although we did have to excuse when we had to get up. So in conclusion middle section is better then window section.

I wasn't aware those seats are more spacious! That's a nice consolation if we can't get our seat assignments changed.

Just pay more to get the aisle seats during the 24 hours flight check in since they are premium seating.

That's how the airlines squeeze money from passengers..

Hum... Didn't know you could pay more for the aisle seats. I always book tickets early and select the aisle seat. Thought it was the exit row seats with more leg room that you can pay a premium to get. Do you know roughly how much it would cost? Although, I don't think I want it enough to shell out money for the aisle seat.

[caly 48]

Typically 24 hours before the flight the airline releases any reserved seats and you may snag a reserved seat then. Check early.

If the online check-in is 48 hours before the flight, do they release these seats at the 48 hour mark?

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Try horsetrading seats when you board.

(I've oft found that "by force" seat horsetrades--where I'm assigned middle, grab window before the passenger boards who's been assigned that--work out in my favour).

[faithinGod 8]

Try horsetrading seats when you board.

(I've oft found that "by force" seat horsetrades--where I'm assigned middle, grab window before the passenger boards who's been assigned that--work out in my favour).

i did that "by force" thing once and it worked !!! lol

OP, me and hubby had those middle seats on a 9h flight a couple of years ago; i remember i was so angry at first but got used to it fast, it wasn`t as bad as i thought it would be. Hope you get to change your seats but if you won`t, don`t worry, it`s not gonna be that bad!Have a safe flight!

[Mark&Fatima 14]

Try horsetrading seats when you board.

(I've oft found that "by force" seat horsetrades--where I'm assigned middle, grab window before the passenger boards who's been assigned that--work out in my favour).

Or...you could just do the right thing and not steal someone else's seat! I've never understood that...I'll go to a concert, board an airplane, or attend a sporting event, and sure as hell...some idiot is sitting in my seat. It always amuses me when they try to act like they didn't know what they were doing "Oh, these aren't our seats, I'm sorry." "Yeah, no kidding, didn't you notice that this is section 102 and your tickets say section 305?" It's called integrity...get some!

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Constant farting while being at the check-in counter may get you a set way back near the lavatories.

[caly 48]

Try horsetrading seats when you board.

(I've oft found that "by force" seat horsetrades--where I'm assigned middle, grab window before the passenger boards who's been assigned that--work out in my favour).

I don't think we'll be doing this, but thanks for the idea.

I really hate it when someone else does that to me, and always insist on getting my seat back. Well.. except that one time on a 5 hour flight home where the guy wanted to sit with his wife and young child.

i did that "by force" thing once and it worked !!! lol

OP, me and hubby had those middle seats on a 9h flight a couple of years ago; i remember i was so angry at first but got used to it fast, it wasn`t as bad as i thought it would be. Hope you get to change your seats but if you won`t, don`t worry, it`s not gonna be that bad!Have a safe flight!

Thanks, it's comforting to know that it's probably not going to be as bad as I think it will be!

Or...you could just do the right thing and not steal someone else's seat! I've never understood that...I'll go to a concert, board an airplane, or attend a sporting event, and sure as hell...some idiot is sitting in my seat. It always amuses me when they try to act like they didn't know what they were doing "Oh, these aren't our seats, I'm sorry." "Yeah, no kidding, didn't you notice that this is section 102 and your tickets say section 305?" It's called integrity...get some!

Haha. I know what you mean. Hate when that happens to me too.

Constant farting while being at the check-in counter may get you a set way back near the lavatories.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

People that steal my seat are usually the victims of a cup of coffee that slides off my tray and into their laps, so they not only get to finish the trip in wet stained pants but sit in a wet seat as well. Karma you know...

[jjbandero 39]

Some airlines do not assign the exit row seats online, so if you check in early you might still be able to snag those... Also you can use Seat Guru to look up which seats are better than others e.g. some seats do not recline

[paul_kay 31]

Middle seats suck! I couldn't go to the restroom whenever I want coz the people beside me are sleeping. But one kid behind me complained about her personal TV not working so they moved her to another seat. I tried that but my TV suddenly worked. lol