Stuck in a bad plane seat? Here's what to do
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I looked at them, and they looked at me and we both decided neither of us were happy with this situation.
You see despite me asking nicely at check-in if there was any alternative to the aisle seat I had been assigned on my lengthy flight from London to Doha, I was told no.
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A bulkhead seat can for many the best spot to get on a plane. Getty
That's because I hadn't wanted to stump up even more money to book a seat, this being one of the increasing number of airlines charging for that.
So the algorithm, presumably, had given me this.
(I mean it could have been worse, originally I was in a middle seat so the kind check-in lady did manage to change that).
Here I was, in an aisle seat for eight hours next to a couple who looked at me glumly as I put my backpack down. So I decided to try something I wouldn't usually do.
"Excuse me!" I asked the crew member as she passed. "Would you possibly have any extra leg room seats available?"
"Let me see," she said. After tapping on an iPad-style device she told me a seat number at the back of the plane.
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"Most crews are accommodating if you explain the issue calmly and there's availability," an expert said of plane seats. Getty
It wasn't an extra leg seat. But it was better. I followed to her to not one, not two but three glorious seats - a whole row.
If I had not have asked, no doubt somebody would have nabbed those right after take off.
Instead I was able to stretch my nearly six-foot frame across them all for the whole flight.
It's a tip that travel experts agree is always worth doing if you're not happy with where you've ended up on a flight.
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I ended up with a whole row to myself. Getty
Jacob Wedderburn-Day from Stasher recently shared some of his tips and insights on seat selection.
"If you realise you're in a uncomfortable spot after boarding, politely ask the flight attendant about switching to an empty seat once boarding completes," Jacob said.
"Most crews are accommodating if you explain the issue calmly and there's availability."
When it comes to the best seat on a plane, Jacob also weighed in on the window vs aisle debate, sharing he has a clear way to decide.
"Window seats are the best if you're planning to sleep, have minimal luggage, or want uninterrupted views," he said.
"You won't be disturbed by aisle traffic or seatmates needing the toilet.
"Choose aisle seats if you need to grab things from your bag mid-flight, stretch regularly, or get off fast for connecting flights."
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I've changed my mind on what my favourite seat is. Getty
Meanwhile, I would also like to add I have changed my mind on my personal 'best seat'.
As I said, I'm tall, so usually try and book an extra leg room seat, even if I have to pay.
But recently I got really annoyed because a couple from further back claimed that bulkhead space as their own personal hangout spot.
They stood there for hours at a time, chatting (loudly) and occasionally stretching their legs and arms and walking on the spot.
(It's far from the strangest thing I've seen on a flight though.)
Add that to the constant comings and goings from people waiting for and using the bathroom and I was a little grumpy.
I'll be avoiding this in future, opting for a window seat, a little further back.
Drop us an email with all your wisdom to travel@nine.com.au, and your tip could be featured in an upcoming story on 9Travel.
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