How To Get 4 Seats to Yourself

[partyanimal 0]

I've been lucky and have had some interesting people sitting next to me on long flights but let's face it the real coup is having all 4 seats in the middle of the plane to yourself. Not shabby either is getting 3 seats to yourself in the back of the plane but I'm a tall guy and prefer four.

 

First step,is to find out how full the plane is. If full an emergency exit or bulkhead aisle seat is best for me. But if empty you have a reasonable chance of getting the four across using the following strategy:

 

Try to get an aisle seat in a four seat interior row that has no one else tickected yet. If that's not available try for an interior rowthat has only you and one other person. Then when boarding the plane instead of sitting in your assigned seat, instead sit in the adjacent interior seat. Now the guy in the other aisle seat in your row will start scaning the side of the plane for two empty seats in side rows. Good chance he will move and then you have won in "Connect 4"!

[Greg_B 306]

5 trips and only once have I gotten the whole row, guess I have nothing but bad luck

[rockinjerry 2]

Almost a impossibility now from the USA as many airlines have consolidated with others to take their passengers. Too many airlines are cutting back and or failing. Since 9/11 I have found each and every flight I have taken full, or close to it. Domestic and International as well.

 

Prior to 9/11 I recall my first flight to New Zealand and return home, Pleanty of extra seats to use. After, United quit flying into NZ and I recall a return trip where there were four airlines respresented on that flight. It was neat in the respect that most United (I think?) passengers were going to The Cook Islands which was not a scheduled stop with the original ticket for me, but was great to land and have over an hour to kill on the ground in their tiny airport. I think I was on Air New Zealand, or maybe Quantas? that trip. Anyway, here we were, the only large, commercial jet at the airport that night, and a chance to down a couple of cold ones at the terminal.

 

Rockin' Jerry

[BigDUSA 71]

I use the same strategy and sometimes I get a whole row to myself. I call this cheap Charley business class. Last trip I got this from Osaka to BKK and then again on the way back to LA on Thai. Sweet!

[partyanimal 0]

Cheap Charlie Business Class.....LOL

 

Wonder if an airline let's people buy up a whole row, that'd be cheaper than First Class?

[Fonz 0]

Buy 4 seats.Why not.

 

Down side the food wouldn`t be as good.

Upside you could get a lot of it and a lot of grog.

[saigon_butterfly 1]

My strategy is to load up on red beans and rice before boarding a flight. They clear out real fast or they're wearing gas masks. Later, SB

[Guest Winston_Churchill]

ive had a 4 seater once and a 3 seater twice now,

must be my good looks!

[Eneukman 1]

Not a hope in Hell of getting 3 seats together never mind 4 between Bangkok and London with BA. The flight is usually pretty well damn full. In fact, last night's flight (end of another 2 week's fun :crying ) was carrying pretty much the maximum payload for a 747-400. This trip, i decided to pay a bit extra and go for the extra leg room in BA's economy plus. OK, the food is the same shit as they serve in economy but I found the trip far more comfortable.

 

Only downside was that almost immediately behind me were all the screaming babies

 

The flight up to Edinburgh was also full - partly due to a group of Japanese! One of the stupid Japanese bitches switched her mobile phone on during the flight and had to be told no less than 6 (yes, SIX) times by the stewardess to switch the fucking thing off!

 

Alan

[growler 0]

Eneukman,

 

As far as I am concerned BA can shove their economy 31" seatpitch. I see from Skytrax that Economy Plus is 38" seat pitch. What kind of a price difference approx are you talking about for a Lhr- Bkk round trip.

[Eneukman 1]

Growler, it works out around £300 or so more expensive (but as a shareholder I get a 10% discount).

 

I would try Eva Air myself but their schedules just don't suit me as I have to get back up to Edinburgh.

 

Alan

[growler 0]

Eneukman, Thanks for information. Eva return time to London is too late for flights to Ireland.

[monkeyman 1,604]

Only works in cattle class, unfortunately.

[Eneukman 1]

One further thought on BA's economy plus is that you are allowed double the amount of cabin baggage than in cattle class.

 

Alan

[Taxi 0]

Depending on how much the airline appreciates your business they will block seats for you. I would say you need to be in their top teir of frequent travellers but if they can they will get on the phone at the Check-in counter and get the other 2 seats blocked........ I have never asked about 4 but generally use my miles to travel "Hilly" Class so don't get to test the theory often.

 

I have not tried this with US based airlines, but Qantas, Singapore, Cathay Pacific are up for it. Cheers