Woman uses app booking hack to get an entire row to herself on flights

06 March 2023 , 16:00

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The simple trick could see you ride in much more comfort (Image: Getty Images)

A travel insider has revealed the easy booking trick that could help you bag a whole row on a flight to yourself.

Chelsea Badger recently managed to bag herself three-seats to luxuriate in while on a Qantas flight using the simply trick, althoug she warned that the trick only works if you are flying on a plane which isn't completely full.

She took to TikTok to share her hack with her 248,100 followers, explaining: "I recently got a whole row to myself on Qantas and this is how I did it."

The frequent flyer said that passengers should get to their boarding gate and then wait until about ten minutes before people start to file onto the plane.

“Then open up the Qantas app and click the seat selector tool,” Chelsea said, while offering a demonstration of the process.

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The kind of sight that could await if you deploy the trick correctly (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“If there’s a whole row free or even just a better seat, make a mental note of that seat number."

While you won't be able to swap to the seat with space either side of it on the app, you can go to the boarding gate and ask staff there if they'll make the swap for you.

“So easy and I can’t believe this works,” Chelsea added. “I’ve done this successfully a few times while flying with Qantas.”

Last year a Ryanair passenger revealed how he had been choosing his seats on flights with the airline for free - and it's a simple feature he's discovered on the airline's app.

For anyone who has flown on the budget Irish airline, the experience of wading through the offered extras sections as you attempt to buy a ticket is a relatable one.

After choosing your destination and flight time you'll be offered the opportunities to rent a car, book a hotel room and treat yourself to a bit of holiday insurance.

The tip helps you avoid paying fees for reservations (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

You'll also be asked whether you want to reserve a seat, which typically costs £15 or more, or allow a random generator to decide your fate.

Of course the latter option could see you located halfway down the cabin in the dreaded middle seat.

However, TikTok user and avid traveller Rod Adcock claims to have discovered a third option.

"What I do is book a flight, go through all the random bits and then take the option of a free random allocated seat," he explained in a recent clip on TikTok.

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"Do not pay. And then just before the flight go back onto the app, click manage in the top corner and then click change.

"Then it shows you a list of all the seats that are empty on the flight. Close the app, do not switch your seat, do not pay for nowt."

Rod says he then boards the flight and finds one of the unoccupied seats, ideally with extra legroom, and then he goes and sits in it.

He claims that he's never been stopped by cabin crew or asked for proof that he has reserved the seat.

Milo Boyd