A simple trick can help you get extra legroom on a flight for free.
If you are planning a big trip with a long flight then it is probably worth trying to get as much legroom as possible, especially if you are on the taller side of things.
One way to do this is to find out what plane you will be flying on and what its layout is like.
An airline’s cabin layouts and seats can vary even within the same class from plane to plane, which means the in-flight experience can vary as well.
Airlines such as Ryanair tend to cram as many seats in as possible, while the likes of Emirates give more room to their passengers (although for a higher price).
There are several ways to check which airplane model you could be flying on, even before you've booked your ticket, according to the Daily Mail.
The easiest way is to check on the airline's ticketing pages as most will list the type there.
Alternatively, third-party sites like Expert Flyer or SeatGuru list the information.
On SeatGuru all you have to do is type in your travel date and flight number to find a seat map of the plane, as well as helpful information such as aircraft type and baggage policies.
The seat information is detailed and includes information such as configurations, width and pitch divided by class of service.
To help you interpret the information, the website highlights the best seats in green and the worst in red.
You can combine this information - as well as extra insights into the location of headphone jacks and power adaptors - with a seat reservation purchased through the airline to maximise your inflight experience.
For example, often opting for the emergency exit seat means you'll have extra legroom.
Equally, knowing to avoid some rows - such as those in front of the emergency exit row which cannot be reclined - can be helpful.
Expert Flyer provides a similar service while allowing potential flyers to set up email alerts for when their favoured flights and seat layouts go on sale.
Another way to bag yourself more legroom is by getting on the plane last.
If you’re flying alone or with someone but are fine sitting on your own, then it’s worth taking a risk and checking in once the majority of other passengers have,
There may be seats with extra room available which the airline is then happy to allocate to the remaining passengers for free.
It can also make for a more relaxed airport experience, as you won't be stuck in a long queue to get on the plane at the boarding gate.
