Does anyone here check out the seating arrangment on for the particular flight you are taking prior to booking? I like to go to seatguru.com before I book and check out the Airline and model plane. It shows the leg room and the seat width.. An inch of seat width makes a HUGE difference in comfort. I can't stand to be cramped.. ALSO if the airline uses three seats in each row instead of two seats, you have a better chance of having an empty seat next to you.

I prefer a window seat on the way back so I can have a last look at the place before I leave. Other than that, I have no preferences. A friend of mine seems to have a knack for getting upgraded at no extra cost. He may start out in row J, but then when it's time to confirm at the airport, he asks if he can be moved up and he often ends up with a roomy bulkhead seat.

I actually check and choose my seat when I book. I usually travel to Europe so I know the planes are rather big. Within Europe, since I only use cheap airlines where you can't choose your seat, then I really don't care.

Thanks for the suggestion. It never occurred to me to check out seating details online.

My wife and I do sometimes request a window or aisle seat, depending on which we'd prefer at the time we check in our luggage. Usually one of us tries to get a window seat.

I dont usually but do ask for a special request of a seat empty next to me when I am travelling alone with my infant...

I haven't thought about doing this, probably because I always thought you had to take what was available.

Now that I know this, I will avoid being placed at the emergency exit that is usually about half way back!