AUSTRALIAN travel expert has dispelled the myth of the middle seat in a plane.
The middle seat may not be the most comfortable, but legend says it is the one that will get you an upgrade.
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However, Angus Kidman, travel expert at comparison siteFinderIt is, as it was. “absolutely not true” — well, not for Aussie airlines anyway.
News.com.au: “Upgrades go to the highest-tier frequent flyer members — and there’s often a queue of them who have applied prior to the flight,”
“If you’re just a regular passenger, there’s no chance you’re getting upgraded.”
Mr Kidman’s comments come after Travel company Stasher claimed middle seat passengers were more likely to get a free upgrade.
Sun Online Travel spoke with Jacob Wedderburn Day, CEO of Stasher: “If you don’t like the uncertainty of waiting until a few hours before your flight to check in, then make sure to select the middle seat.”
“Airlines are more likely to upgrade passengers who are sitting in the middle seat as this is generally considered the least desirable place to sit.
“So, if you don’t mind being wedged between two other people, it might pay off to book those seats.”
But, Mr Kidman said “booking the middle seat doesn’t make sense”.
He said: “There’s a myth in some quarters that if you’re in the middle seat, you’ll be the first picked for an upgrade. For Australian airlines, that’s absolutely not true.
“On international flights from Australia, spare seats are largely non-existent right now anyway.
“With airlines running well below their pre-Covid capacities, most flights are full — and with cancellations, any spare capacity generally gets filled up.”
He advised travelers not to “fall for the middle seat myth”.
“If you want an uninterrupted flight, choose the window. If you want to stretch your legs or need the bathroom a lot, choose the aisle,”He recommended it.
“If you’re stuck with choosing a middle seat, try for the middle in a set of four rather than three — that way, no-one is stepping over you to get out of their seat.”
According to Jon Burfitt, seasoned traveller Jon Burfitt, the window seat at back of the plane is the best.
“I noticed those seats had a wall behind them, and no one was getting kicked there. No wonder those people looked relaxed,”He wrote forEscape.
This article was originally published by News.com.auThis article has been reproduced by permission.
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