For most of us, the chance of sampling the luxury of first-class seats on a plane are slim.
But with this long-haul flight hack, as documented by travel influencers like Maddie Borge (@maddieborge) and Laureen Uy (@laureenmuy) you can experience the comfort of a first-class journey – at a fraction of the price.
How does it work?
Several airlines now offer ‘neighbour-free’ seating options. These include Qantas, SriLankan Airlines, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Philippine Airlines.
The rules differ slightly for each airline, but the premise is the same: by reserving the additional seats next to you, the whole row can be yours for the length of your trip.
Etihad Airways
As London-based influencer Maddie Borge explains, for those wanting that extra room and comfort, Etihad Airways lets passengers bid on up to three extra empty seats adjacent to the booked seat.
If you win, the extra seats remain free for the entire length of your journey, giving you the whole row to yourself.
The bidding process begins up to 35 hours before the flight departs, starting at $45 for one seat, and $90 for two.
Etihad uses its own sliding scale, or ‘bid meter’ to determine the likelihood of the bet winning, with a suggested target of around $65
However, other contributing factors include flight occupancy and demand. Bids are only accepted if the fight has available seats, and customers are not charged if the bid is unsuccessful.
Maddie Borge, who lives in London, embarked on a long overnight flight to Sydney in economy class with Etihad Airways last month
Maddie went up to an attendant who informed her that she did indeed win the row and confirmed it at the desk
Qantas
If your Qantas flight has sufficient empty seats available, and you are booked In Economy Class without any accompanying minors, you will be invited to purchase additional seats in your row 24-48 hours before flying.
For domestic flights, prices range between $30 and $65. For international journeys, you pay from $45.
If the seats end up being occupied, the customer is refunded the price of these additional spots.
SriLankan Airlines
Neighbour-free seats are offered to all passengers with Economy Class tickets on SriLankan Airlines.
Between 48 and 4 hours before departure, passengers are told via email whether these seats are available.
The price of these seats varies based on the route and flight demand, but passengers have reported paying approximately £50 for the additional comfort.
Philippine Airlines
All economy passengers flying with Philippine Airlines can book up to three adjacent seats, depending on the aircraft.
This can be requested via email, using the link sent with the flight confirmation, and should be done at least six days before departure.
These seats between $30 and $120, depending on route and demand, and are 90 per cent guaranteed – unless the flights are overbooked.
Travel and fashion influencer Laureen Uy shared a video of her Philippine Airlines flight, where she upgraded to the ‘myPAL Seat Select Neighbor-Free’ option to have the entire row to herself
Lufthansa
With Lufthansa, the neighbour-free seat option can be purchased on both continental and intercontinental routes, giving passengers more space and privacy when travelling.
You can reserve neighbour-free seats before your trip by contacting Lufthansa’s Service Centre. If there are any extra seats available on the day of your departure, these can be purchased at the check-in counter.
Prices start at €59 but vary based on the route and demand.
