Jaunted

· Seat Change At Check-In:
If you’re checking in online or at the airport it’s worth looking to see if any new seats have opened up. Sometimes exit rows or just less bad seats open up within 24 hours of take-off, so there’s always a possibility that something has changed that will benefit your legs for the next two to twelve hours. If no good seats have opened up, maybe a whole family canceled their flight, and at least you can steal their aisle or window depending on your preference.

· Ask At The Gate:
It’s probably best not to line up an hour before airline employees get to the gate, because that’s annoying and won’t help your cause. However, once they’ve finished doing what they do, get in line to chat them up. Just politely ask if there’s any exit row or bulkhead seats available. We’ve had them gladly throw us into an exit seat without a charge or an ordeal. It helps to bring along a tall relative, or a total stranger, and explain that they’ll be uncomfortable. Remember to be nice and polite, that goes a long way.

· Break Out The Wallet:
If you want to ensure that you are as comfortable as possible you are going to have to pay for it. Many airlines have upgrades available straight from the check-in kiosk. US Airways has offered us a first class upgrade for as little as $100, but it’s up to you if that’s worth it. United Airlines has Economy Plus seats in the back of the plane, and upgrades start at just $9. JetBlue has their Even More Legroom seats which will set you back at least $10 each way. If you’re a total mess when flying, and we all are sometimes, a little extra cash can make all the difference.

· Be Friendly With The Flight Attendant:
When you get on the plane start to smile, because most aren’t looking forward to visiting their crazy relatives, the personnel aboard the plane might just notice you. Pay attention to your surroundings while everyone is sitting down—so hold off on the iPod—because you need to see if families want to switch seats. If someone wants your less than desirable seat so his or her posse can be together, make it known that you want to trade. The flight attendants will usually be thankful that you’re a team player and will try to make sure you get a better seat—even if it’s just closer to the front and away from the lavatory.

If you have your own seating secrets, be sure to share them in the comments below. We promise we won't tell.

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[Photo: WexDub]