tropicaliceberg

what to do if the flight only has middle seats left? There are currently no preferred, exit, or choice seats left except two exit middle seats. First class is completely sold out as well. I absolutely must take this flight because I'm connecting from an int'l flight and this is the only possible connecting flight, so choosing a different flight is not an option.

It's still a month an half from the flight and I'm actually thinking about taking Amtrak for 11 hours just to avoid sitting in the middle. BTW, I'm pretty fat, at 6'8 and 253 lbs, with broad shoulders and long legs.

Any ideas?

Venabili

Month and a half out? Just take one of the middle seat and keep an eye on the seat map for other openings. I will be very surprised if nothing opens (including first class).

What is the flight btw?

Biggie Fries

Not sure what type of plane you are, but there are certainly some planes (row 11 on an A320, for example) where a middle exit will help you more with leg room than an aisle will.

Also, US lets you switch seats after OLCI, so check-in, see if an aisle you might prefer opens up ... and then just keep checking right up to boarding!

sbbutler93

ExpertFlyer seat alerts are your friend.

CPRich

IME, seats almost always open up for OLCI. I've logged in to "View Reservations/change my seats" and "Check In" at 24hrs simultaneously and see more available on the check-in function.

ibrandsguest

If Amtrak would be in a sleeping car, I'd consider doing that, since it'd be 11 hours in a rolling hotel room (very, very comfortable).

tropicaliceberg

Thanks! That looks very promising. Will give it a try!

drewguy

+1 . . . often exit rows and certain reserved seats become available then.

dml105

I agree with this. As elites get upgraded, seats open up. I also imagine that a lot of people on refundable tickets are sitting up in those seats as well. If they change plans, it's yours.

And as others have mentioned, ExpertFlyer is great.

coffeefrappe

You have a lot of time...I'm sure something will open up...keep looking!!

tropicaliceberg

I want to give a big thanks for recommending ExpertFlyer.

Thanks to it, I got an alert today and was able to move myself to an aisle seat.
Guess some one got upgraded or cancelled reservation and opened up the
seat.

Sorry if my original post sounded paranoid, but I believe I suffer from
the fear-of-airline-middle-seat-phobia syndrome or something like that!
It's been a long time since I sat in an airline middle seat.

The last time I can remember was in the middle seat of a Northwest Airlines
DC-9 flying from Seattle to Anchorage back in 1989.(yes, 1989!)
I can still recall that flight vividly. Stuck between a large guy(aisle) and a
hot .... cougar(window) and it was no fun. Well.. that was when I was
young & stupid and didn't appreciate hot .... cougars....

Since then, I do NOT buy a ticket unless I can get assigned to window or
aisle... or upgraded. Good thing I won't be breaking my 25-year
no-middle-seat record yet!