First class travel: How do people get upgraded?

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Increasingly, airlines are beginning to charge customers for additional extras, including the option to sit with the rest of your party. While some airlines, such as British Airways, allow customers to select their seats for free when checking in online, other budget carriers, such as Ryanair, only offer seat selection to those who pay for the privilege.

However, travel blogger Cairo Ferguson, who writes for the website Journey Junket, said there are some handy hacks which you might be “surprised” by.

She explained: “There are a few hacks for getting seats together without paying for seat selection.”

One of her top recommendations is simply to ask. Cairo said: “Try calling the airline directly and asking if there are any open seats – you would be surprised how simply asking politely over the phone can work.

“I did this a few years ago when three of my girlfriends were flying together – and we hadn’t paid extra for seat selection.

“I rang the airline beforehand and mentioned that one of us was a nervous flyer and they were happy to oblige without charging. Amazing.”

Alternatively, Cairo recommends booking all of your party’s tickets in one go.

She said: “Try to book the same flight as someone else since often the airline will give you two seats together for free if you are travelling with someone else.”

This can often happen at check-in or when you check-in online, even when there is an option to pay prior to check-in.

Travel blogger Jessie Moore, who runs the luxury travel blog Pocket Wanderings (@PocketWanderings on Instagram), says this is “by far the best way” to get seats together, however you should check-in online as soon as it opens.

She explained: “Despite the suggestion that airlines will split your group up if you don’t pay for seat selection, they generally will actually try to keep you together – if the availability is there.

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“I’ve taken around 16 flights so far this year and managed to sit with the person travelling with me every time bar one trip – when I forgot to check-in and left it until the last minute.

“Find out when check-in opens for your airline and set a reminder so you can be ready. Of course, there is still no guarantee unless you pay, but this will significantly increase your chances.”

Some airlines may also offer deals for groups travelling together. Cairo added: “Check whether the airline has any fares available that include select seats together.”

What are the seat selection policies for UK airlines?

British Airways

You can check in online with British Airways 24 hours before your flight’s planned departure. Customers who hold a basic hand luggage-only fare will not be able to select their seat for free, even at check-in, however, all other ticket holders will be given the chance to choose a sat for free at this point.

Customers also have the option to pay for seat selection when they book their tickets.

easyJet

easyJet allows passengers to check-in for their flight 30 days before its scheduled departure. While passengers will not be able to select their seats free of charge at this point, the airline may seat groups together depending on availability. Customers also have the option to pay for seats when they book their tickets.

Ryanair

Ryanair customers can check-in for their flight 24 hours before departure. Customers can pay to choose their seats when booking, but the airline does not allow free seat selection at check-in. Furthermore, the carrier also says customers will be “randomly allocated” a seat at check-in.

Jet2

Jet2 allows passengers to check-in for their flight 28 days before its scheduled departure. Customers can not choose their seats for free at this point, however, the airline will try and sit groups together if there is space in the cabin.

Customers also have the option to pay for seat selection when they book their tickets.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic check-in opens 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Customers can choose a seat for free at check-in and if you check a bag, you can choose a seat for free even before check-in opens. However, the airline will also try and sit groups together where possible.

TUI

TUI check-in opens 14 days before the scheduled departure date. Customers can not choose to sit together at check-in but the airline will try and sit groups together where possible. Customers can also pay for seat selection when booking their tickets.

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