Airport worker names exact time to swap seats and it's not when on the plane

When it comes to travelling for long hours, especially on a plane, everyone wants to sit next to their loved ones. But sometimes, big parties get split up. Here’show travellers can change their seats at no extra cost. Many of us are counting down the days until our much-deserved holidays, away from the busy city life and spending some time at the beach soaking in all the UV rays.

But at the time of checking in for our flight, we’ve all been in a situation where seats have been allocated poorly. A former check-in agent at the UK's busiest airport Heathrow shared some insightful information as to when the most appropriate time to ask for a seat change is - and it’s not at the check-in desk.

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She said: “Online check-in doesn’t always offer the best seat selection, and let’s be honest, no one likes getting stuck in the middle seat.” The former airport worker revealed that the best time to ask for this is after the check-in closes.

It’s important to note that all airlines operate differently, and different rules apply based on the routes. Although most airlines will automatically seat you with the people under the same reservation, sometimes, sudden changes occur.

For those who wish to have their seats changed, they must wait until the check-in time closes, or in some cases, after all passengers have boarded. “This is when all unclaimed seats, such as those from passengers who haven’t checked in, become available,” she added.

According to Forbes, airlines allocate seats for weight and balance reasons, which is why it’s important for passengers to sit in their designated seats.

Gerrie Brand, a spokesperson for Dutch airline KLM, said: "The captain calculates weight and balance for take-off. If the occupancy is low, passengers tend to want to change seats, but that could change the weight distribution and balance for take-off."

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However, the former Heathrow employee warned that this trick doesn’t always work, especially during peak season. In this case, passengers can ask the cabin crew once on board, or the passenger who’s seated next to them.

As holidaymakers look forward to their much-deserved breaks, it’s important to remember that check-in agents are human too and will always try to accommodate all passengers, especially those travelling with small children.

Nonetheless, as much as travelling can be expensive and stressful, taking out your anger on the staff won’t benefit you at all! Kindness goes a long way, so just be nice!