Flying around the holidays can be . . . less painful

November 22, 2009|Margaret Loftus, Globe Correspondent

With cramped seating, recycled air, and zero sustenance, modern air travel is not for the faint-hearted. Factor in a flu pandemic, fewer flights, airports thronged with the traveling masses, and the usual threat of winter storms, and choosing to fly over the holidays may seem downright masochistic. But it doesn’t have to be. Short of upgrading, here are some strategies that can make flying more bearable this time of year.

BE SEATED

Once largely left to fate, finagling a decent seat on a plane has become something of an art. Most airlines and online travel agents, such as Expedia, allow you to choose your seat when you book. But the legroom, recline, and amenities can vary widely, depending on the aircraft and carrier. Vet your options with Boston-based seatguru.com, which color-codes seats according to their desirability and notes the features, like laptop power ports and seatback video screens, that can make or break a long flight in steerage.

CHECK IN

Don’t despair if you’re seatless, as is often the case when booking last minute. Check in for flights online as early as possible to get a shot at the seats typically released by airlines 24 hours ahead of boarding, including those in the exit rows (note that while they have more legroom, some seats in exit rows don’t recline). Cash-strapped airlines have started to charge a fee for some of the choicest coach spots, such as aisles and windows.

GET TECHNICAL

Sign up for flight status updates from the airlines or online agent by text or e-mail. Or better yet, download real-time flight information on your smart phone from Flightview.com. Depending on the airline and airport, your BlackBerry/iPhone/Droid may also be able to download your boarding pass, skipping the step of printing it out at home or in the terminal. Tech-savvy fliers on Continental Airlines, for instance, can just hand their smart phones to Transportation Security Administration screeners and gate agents to be scanned. Luddites: Bring the toll-free phone number of your airline to call in case your flight is delayed or canceled, which is likely to yield quicker results than standing in line at the counter.

ASK NICELY

Still no luck getting out of that row across from the loo? Seatguru founder Matt Daimler suggests politely making your case to the gate agent, who may have decent seats to dole out once those passengers who are upgraded are reassigned. As a last-ditch effort, talk with the flight attendant, but be prepared to be nickel-and-dimed: United Airlines, for one, has begun to up-sell “economy plus seating,’’ with more legroom, even after the aircraft is boarded. Prices vary depending on the route.

BE ON TIME