Choosing your seat on the plane.......

Sorry to hear you've have to change your plans on short notice. It sounds like you're rolling with things and coming out ok.

I am OBSESSIVE about my seat selection! Seatguru isn't good enough—I stalk youtube videos and read avgeek flight reports looking for pros and cons about different seats. I set seat alerts on ExpertFlier. If I ever encounter changes during travel I have the flight's seat maps open so I can tell agents exactly where to put me. Recently Iberia wouldn't assign me a seat for a flight booked via AA, and I spent 40 minutes on the phone, politely getting the AA rep to push it through their system. One of the reasons I'm loyal to (stuck with?) AA is because my status gets me free selection of 'Main Cabin Extra', or extra legroom economy, seats.

My prefered spots can change for any given aircraft/configuration, even flight duration. I could spend a good while laying them all out—I can be that crazy! I spare the details except to say that in economy I always avoid having a seatmate to my right—so my right shoulder is into an aisle or against a window.

I too am picky about where I sit. I normally fly Air Canada on long haul domestic and transatlantic flights and choose to pay the premium for bulkhead aisle seats or the seats that are at the front of the economy section. If the budget allows will opt for premium economy. Last flight was able to get an upgrade to first class from Toronto to Vancouver at a very low cost, which was great after a long crowded flight from Athens.

Carol now retired (and I assume enjoying it!), Our invaluable aid is SeatGuru.com. With the flight number, date and, if possible, the aircraft model, you can get good seat info with flier's comments. Their seat info usually is better than the airlines. I miss the use of the 747 because most versions had an area toward the tail where the outside seats switched from 3 wide to 2 wide, leaving a lot of extra space around the seats. Good seats at economy $. We avoid seats near the exit rows (unless you can snag one of them), against a bulkhead, backed up to gallery or restroom, and seats with power/commo boxes underfoot. We also avoid 3 or so rows after the wings (can't see anything anyway) unless no other option and no cost. We don't mind the seats over the wings when flying 737 and smaller as a smoother ride if turbulence. If you want to get earlier food service, sit as far forward as you can because most planes fly slightly nose up. That is why the cabin crew serve forward rows first - they can let the cart roll easier going aft. We used to try to sit away from kids, but experience has shown that not all kids are obnoxious and some adults are. Other than that, get the best seat you can afford and enjoy the trip.

I'm so sorry you had obligations that caused a change but I'm glad you've got flights and things will work out.

I am extremely picky about where I sit. I like to fly Delta and I pay up to Economy Comfort. I like to be in the row behind the bulkhead row, aisle seat in the middle section, on the right as you come down the aisle, hahaha... How's that for picky? And siiiigh....made a tactical error last trip and had Delta One on the way outbound...VERY difficult to go back to Comfort. Not having people traipse by you in the aisle was wonderful.

Back in the day before I knew to check flights frequently after booking, I was flying with a family group and the plane changed so I wound up in basic economy one of the middle middle seats. I felt so bad for the guy next to me who was a student from Africa. At least 6'8" (Nephew is 6'7" and this guy was taller) so his knees were literally up to his ears.

Do you fly with an eye mask? I'd probably consider that for your current location...and ear plugs.

Of course, I like to choose my seat, but hate to pay extra. I'm in the I will suffer category because honestly, it's only a few hours of my life and I'm always just grateful to be able to travel and think about 90% of the world that does not have that luxury.

In a way I am picky too on where I sit, always flying Economy. Still, I don't pick the seat on-line if in doing that I have to pay extra for that luxury. Bottom line...no paying extra for anything.

I pick the seat at check-in asking if any aisle seat is left in the rear, the more to rear the better, the most preferred spot. I don't want a window seat, let alone the middle one. Second choice : an aisle seat in the middle will do. The main thing is that I'll fall asleep anyway for most of the 11 hour flight, at least 6 hours,..... that's what counts. Even in that undesired middle seat.

My feelings are the same as diveloonie aka Tammy. My upcoming flight will be the first long haul flight with the 2-3-2 configuration, so for it to be just me and my husband in our row feels like the height of luxury to me lol.

I have always liked the aisle seat in the bulkhead row in Premium Economy. One year my husband & I had seats back a few rows, and the man in front of my husband was so rude to him with his seat reclining into my husband’s face (and wanted my husband’s overhead light turned off because of it!) that I began purchasing tickets several months in advance to avoid it again.

I try to stand up & walk every few hours for my leg circulation, so I prefer the aisle to not disturb my seat mates in my row.

One year our flight home was cancelled, and we were rerouted and given undesirable seats. But, we were just so happy to have a way back home and were grateful for any of them.

Carol, I hope the rest of your trip plans will go smoothly, and you have a wonderful time!

I'm really only content when my partner is content. The extra legroom and a few inches more width in the Premium Economy section of Delta's A350 suits my long legged partner and gives me a little extra room to dig around in my personal bag when needed. We like the 2 seat portion of the 2-4-2 configuration best but seats 3-4 together or 5-6 together will work as well. This way we only have to maneuver around each other for restroom trips and don't have to deal with other people needing to get by. We can alert each other when food is being served or let each other rest if desired. We really don't want seats that are less comfortable unless it's absolutely unavoidable. I'll pay whatever it costs to avoid some situations I've encountered in the past. One involved the aisle seat behind the bulkhead where the aisle narrows. My shoulder was bruised after 8 hours of bumps and even my head was clobbered once. Another involved a change of plane that took us out of the 2 seat portion into the middle of the 4 seat section. A chatterbox sat next to me who simply could not take a hint or a direct request to leave me rest in peace. Even closed eyes and earphones wouldn't deter her. My partner attempted to involve me multiple times to discourage it. Her husband sat in another row and I heard him say to her "You were talking a lot" as we exited. That's what I wish to avoid.

“We used to try to sit away from kids”

Larry 42, how do you know when picking seats where kids will be?

Susan, We usually pre-booked our seats. But in the waiting room, watched the family activities. When concerned, asked customer service rep their seating area and, if possible, changed. Or moved after the plane loaded. This was in the old days when the planes were seldom stuffed. Now changing is difficult and, as I wrote, we're as likely to suffer from anybody anywhere. It helps that we can occasionally afford (miles) business class for overseas flights. Especially the return which always seems twice as long as the going.

I once sat in the rear-most seats on a plane. There is a tiny bit of room behind those seats, it is an out of the way place with room to stand. In this case three people with crying babies used that space to stand and rock their infants. I know that the babies are in pain from the air pressure changes and they can't help but cry, but I admit to some pretty dark thoughts regarding babies.

Avoid the very back of the plane at all costs.

As long as I have an aisle seat, then that's my main concern dealt with.
I don't like to be near the washrooms where people line up, so I usually pick somewhere near the middle of the plane.
I prefer an aisle in a row of four, as then there is only one person asking to get past me instead of two in a row of three.
I don't mind people getting by , I'd rather not disturb others, so that's why an aisle is better.
I also have tricky knees, so I can get up when I want.
And no, I won't change seats with you, that I have booked and paid for months in advance....unless you are begging me to take your Business class seat....

Since you are not going to Venice why not pay the difference for Premium or Business Class for the one way? If the Family obligation was not for your immediate family see if they can cover your new seat assignments. Maybe your credit card travel insurance can cover this. Stupid non refundable seat assignment fees to be seated next to a lav. Call back AF and tell them to reseat you or arrive early to the airport.

You may be able to bid for an upgrade or pay a discounted rate. At the very least pay for extra legroom .

If I had to postpone a trip to help a non immediate family member or Friend I would ask them to help me pay for any losses. Sorry I am not indispensable and work for free unless its a medical emergency .

In your situation I would. have left my seats unassigned not paying the fee again and ask for an upgrade or better seats on arrival. I would also add a Special needs request such as I get dizzy sitting at the rear due to turbulance.

Expert Flyer has a free Seat Alert app whereby you can download it and see which paid and free seats are available on your flight. I just used it to get us better seats on our Prague Warsaw to Tel Aviv flights. Just ask for it by seat number when calling up or at the airport.

@Daniel. Thanks for your concern and your suggestions. I appreciate them. I'm using frequent flier miles so my actual out of pocket loss was relatively small. I was glad to help my son and this was not too big of a deal for me. I'm not very excited about my current seats but was thankful to get an aisle seat which is very important to me. I know that I can make it through these flights and onto my vacation.

Thanks for taking the time to present some options. It was very kind.