Save money : 5 reasons to avoid purchase flights seats

Save money. Since we started traveling, saving money has always been a priority. Travelling on a budget and cutting unnecessary costs allow us to explore the world more often, which is what we love the most.

We’re not the kind of travelers who seek luxury or extra comfort, we prefer budget-friendly adventures. For us, spending less on flights means we can put more money toward experiences, food, and future trips.

Nowadays, low-cost airlines try to upsell everything. The basic ticket price often includes almost nothing, sometimes not even a carry-on bag! Seat selection is a major part of their revenue model, and while paying for a specific seat may seem like a small fee, it quickly adds up, especially if you fly frequently throughout the year. In some cases, choosing a seat can even cost more than the flight itself!

Of course, there are times when paying for a seat makes sense, such as when traveling with small children. But for most travelers, seat selection is an unnecessary expense.

So, do you really need to pay for a seat? 

In most cases, the answer is no. Here’s why skipping seat selection can save you money without sacrificing comfort.

1. You’ll Likely Get a Decent Seat for Free (save money)

Many travellers assume that not paying for seat selection means they’ll automatically get the worst seat on the plane, like a dreaded middle seat in the last row. However, low-cost airlines assign seats randomly, and in many cases, passengers end up with aisle or window seats for free.

 Pro Tip: Do not check in immediately when check-in opens 24 hours before your flight. Budget airlines try to keep the best seats available for purchase until the last moment, which means that emergency exit seats, first rows, and front seats are usually assigned closer to the end. So, no rush!

2. It’s a Sneaky Way for Airlines to Make More Money

Seat selection is a classic airline revenue trick. Low-cost airlines rely on extra fees to make up for their cheap ticket prices. If every passenger pays an extra £10-£30 just to sit where they want, airlines make a huge profit from something that costs them nothing.

By refusing to pay for seats, you’re avoiding an unnecessary fee and keeping more money in your pocket for your actual trip, whether it’s for food, activities, or even another flight!

Pro Tip: Let’s help each other and swap seats when possible! If it doesn’t make a difference to most of us (including ourselves), but it does for someone else, why not switch seats? A simple seat swap can make someone’s flight more enjoyable by allowing them to sit comfortably with their loved ones.

3. It’s Only a Short Flight—Do Seats Really Matter? No, save money!

Most budget airline flights are under three hours long. Unless you have a strong preference for the window seat or extra legroom, does it really matter where you sit? You’ll be off the plane in no time, and that extra £15-£30 could be better spent elsewhere.

Pro Tip: Instead of paying for a seat, consider:
Saving the money for a meal at your destination
Spending it on an experience (museum, local attraction, or a coffee with a view)

Let’s be honest, sometimes skipping seat selection means you might end up with a middle seat or near the bathroom. It’s not the most desirable spot, but for most short-haul flights, it’s a minor inconvenience rather than a deal-breaker. Instead of stressing over it, here’s how to make the most of your flight:

Pro Tip:

Use noise-canceling headphones to block out distractions.

Stand up and stretch during the flight.

Make friends with your seat neighbours, you never know who you’ll meet!

Focus on the destination – A few hours of slight discomfort is a small trade-off for the adventure that awaits you.

At the end of the day, a cheap flight is a cheap flight, regardless of where you sit.

5. Sleep Helps You Pass the Time on Uncomfortable Flights so save money

Let’s be real, budget airlines don’t have the most comfortable seating arrangements. The legroom is limited, and the seats aren’t exactly designed for luxury. But the reality is that the majority of people spend the duration of their flights sleeping

sleeping through the journey helps make the flight feel shorter and minimizes discomfort.

Pro Tip: Instead of focusing on where you’re sitting, focus on getting some rest:
Bring a neck pillow for added comfort.
Use an eye mask to block out cabin lights.
Wear noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to drown out background noise.

If you can sleep through turbulence, crying babies, and the occasional snack cart bumping into your arm, you definitely got use to it.

Check it out also: How to Save Money for a Trip: A Step-by-Step Guide

And: How to Navigate Costly Airline Seat Selection Fees