Have you noticed that padding on airline seats is getting thinner? Seats used to be less punishing, more like La-Z-Boys. Today, in order to save fuel and squeeze in more passengers, the padding has been minimized -- and, as we all know, the rows of seats have been placed closer together. Now, more than ever, upgrading can be a trip-saver. Here are eight ways to help make your next flight more comfortable:
1 Buy a seat with extra legroom. JetBlue, Delta, United and other airlines will sell you a few extra inches of legroom at the front of the economy cabin or at exit rows for a reasonable upgrade fee.
2 Buy a cheap business class seat on a discounter. AirTran, for instance, sells roomier business class seats for far less than most other airlines.
3 Look for Y-UP and Q-UP fares. These economy-class fares, for domestic travel only, can be upgraded for free to business or first class, but they're not dirt cheap, aren't fully refundable and come with other restrictions. Buy them online (e.g., search for "all types" of business class fares on Travelocity), by phone from your airline or through travel agents.
4 Choose planes with more legroom. Not all aircraft are created equal. Check out the "seat pitch" data at Seatguru.com and book on an aircraft on which seat rows are spaced farther apart.
5 Buy international business and first class fares from consolidators. Ticket sellers such as 1stair.net and planetamex.com sell premium cabin fares at considerable discounts.
6 Use miles to upgrade. This is one of the highest value ways you can spend your miles.
7 Be loyal. Upper-tier frequent-flier program members get free upgrades, priority access to exit-row seating at no charge, and other perks on many airlines, so stick with one and attain "premier" status.
