The Best Ways To Get Better Seats And More Leg Room On Your Next Flight

One of the hardest parts of surviving a long flight is having to sit in an uncomfortable seat for hours. You could pay for premium economy to take advantage of extra space or book an exit row seat for additional legroom. Otherwise, as Victoria Fricke (owner of travel agency Vic's Vacations) exclusively told us, getting a good seat often comes down to chance.

The travel agent shares that one of the best ways to get a top-notch seat — without paying extra — is to watch your flight's seating chart in the hours leading up to departure. If you notice plenty of vacant spots, try to reserve a seat in an empty row. If you have a travel partner, you can also try to snag the entire row by booking the aisle and window seats.

However, no plan is guaranteed, which is why it's crucial to remain flexible and keep your expectations low. "On a recent trip to Europe with my best friend and her two daughters, I booked them one in each row [to try to maximize space]. The flight was half full up until 24 hours prior. I thought we were golden and EACH of them would have their own row ... wrong." Ultimately, another canceled flight led to Fricke's flight being sold out. "It could be perfect and all fall apart and there's nothing you can do to prevent it."

If your hope of booking an empty row or spacious seat fell through, you aren't completely out of options. There are a few other ways to increase your chances of getting a comfy spot on the plane, including simply asking for one. Just make sure to do so nicely and thoughtfully. "The gate agent is your best friend," Victoria Fricke revealed. "No matter the situation, they hold the keys to what you want ... always. Be kind to them, be patient with them, and know a nice genuine smile can go a long way."

Of course, gate agents aren't genies and won't be able to fulfill all requests. As the travel agent tells us, they have a list of priorities, including seating families together or squeezing in standby travelers. You might also have no luck getting a better seat if the gate agent is dealing with delays, cancellations, unruly customers, and other issues. Assess the situation before making your request.

If the gate is calm and the airline staff don't appear swamped, give it a shot, suggests Fricke. "Simply ask — is there any seating arrangement that fits my wish list you have available. If there is and they aren't overwhelmed with other tasks, they'll likely move you!"

Sometimes, no standard economy seat will get the job done. You want more legroom, a footrest, and extra cushioning without the price tag of a business or first class seat. In this case, Victoria Fricke has a tip for (possibly) being assigned a premium economy seat without even paying for the upgrade. "You have to be willing to roll the dice on this one, but it can work," she says. "If you fly an airline that has a basic economy seat (which means you can't pick your seats at booking), you ultimately get the seats that are left. This can often mean you could get a premium economy seat for a steal." If most other standard economy passengers chose to pay extra to book their seat, or if they selected a seat during the check-in window, you might find that all that's left when you go to get your boarding pass is a seat in the premium economy row.

Of course, some fliers may also opt to pay extra in advance for premium economy seats, which is why Fricke warns that you'll likely be left with a less-than-ideal spot (such as a middle seat). Moreover, the travel agent says you'll likely be separated from your companions if you're traveling in a group. She adds, "Do just keep in mind this type of airfare is nonrefundable and cannot be modified in any way."