travel airplane seats

Find your flight seat map

3051 - the number of updated aircraft this week

Seat maps of popular airlines

American Airlines

Southwest Airlines

Seat maps for top airlines in the country

Seat maps of popular aircraft.

Airbus A320

Airbus A330-200

Boeing 737-800

Boeing 767-200ER

Boeing 777-200ER

Bombardier CRJ-200

Embraer E175

Boeing 787-8

• Adria Airways
• Aegean Airlines
• Aerolineas Argentinas
• Aerolineas MAS
• Afghan Jet International
• African Express Airways
• Afriqiyah Airways
• Air Algerie
• Air Antilles Express
• Air Arabia Egypt
• Air Arabia Jordan
• Air Arabia Maroc
• Air Austral
• Air Botswana
• Air Burkina
• Air Caledonie
• Air Caraibes
• Air Chathams
• Air Choice One
• Air Corsica
• Air Cote DIvoire
• Air Creebec
• Air Dolomiti
• Air Greenland
• Air Iceland
• Air India Express
• Air Labrador
• Air Madagascar
• Air Mandalay
• Air Mauritius
• Air Moldova
• Air Namibia
• Air New Zealand
• Air Niugini
• Air Nostrum
• Air Rarotonga
• Air Seychelles
• Air Tahiti Nui
• Air Transat
• Air Vanuatu
• Air Zimbabwe
• AirAsia Extra
• AirAsia India
• AirAsia Zest
• AirKenya Express
• Airlines of Tasmania
• Alaska Airlines
• Alaska Seaplane
• Allegiant Air
• Alliance Air
• AlMasria Universal Airlines
• American Airlines
• ANA - All Nippon Airways
• Andes Lineas Aereas
• Angara Airlines
• Angola Airlines
• Ariana Afghan Airlines
• Arkia Israeli Airlines
• Aruba Airlines
• Aserca Airlines
• Asiana Airlines
• Atlantic Airways Faroe Islands
• Aurigny Air Services
• Aurora Airlines
• Austrian Airlines
• Avia Traffic Company
• Avianca Brasil
• Avianca Ecuador
• Azal Azerbaijan Airlines
• Bangkok Airways
• Bearskin Lake Air Services
• Beijing Capital Airlines
• Belavia Belarusian Airlines
• Bhutan Airlines
• Binter Canarias
• Blue Panorama
• bmi Regional
• Boliviana de Aviacion
• British Airways
• Brussels Airlines
• Bulgaria Air
• Caicos Express Airways
• Calm Air International
• Cambodia Angkor Air
• Cambodia Bayon Airlines
• Canadian North
• Caribbean Airlines
• Cathay Dragon (Dragonair)
• Cathay Pacific
• Cayman Airways
• Cebu Pacific
• Central Mountain Air
• Chengdu Airlines
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• China United Airlines
• Chongqing Airlines
• Citilink Indonesia
• Colorful GuiZhou Airlines
• Corendon Airlines
• Corsair International
• Croatia Airlines
• CSA Czech Airlines
• Daallo Airlines
• Dana Airlines
• Delta Airlines
• Divi Divi Air
• Donghai Airlines
• Dynamic Airways
• Eastern Airways
• Edelweiss Air
• El Al Israel Airlines
• Equaflight Service
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Etihad Regional
• Far Eastern Air
• Fiji Airways
• Fly Jamaica Airways
• Fuji Dream Airlines
• Fuzhou Airlines
• Garuda Indonesia
• Georgian Airways
• Germanwings
• Gol Airlines
• Golden Myanmar Airlines
• Grand China Air
• Great Lakes Aviation
• Groznyy Avia
• Hainan Airlines
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Hebei Airlines
• Heli Air Monaco
• Helvetic Airways
• Hinterland Aviation
• Hokkaido Air System
• Hong Kong Airlines
• Hong Kong Express Airways
• IBEX Airlines
• Indonesia AirAsia
• InselAir Aruba
• Inter Iles Air
• InterCaribbean Airways
• Iran Aseman Airlines
• JAL Japan Airlines
• Japan Air Commuter
• Jazeera Airways
• Jet Airways
• JetBlue Airways
• Jetstar Japan
• Jetstar Pacific
• Jordan Aviation
• JSC Aircompany Yakutia
• JSC Nordavia
• Jubba Airways Limited
• Juneyao Airlines
• Kal Star Aviation
• Kenya Airways
• Kunming Airlines
• Kuwait Airways
• La Compagnie
• Lao Airlines
• LATAM Airlines Paraguay
• LATAM Argentina
• LATAM Brasil
• LATAM Chile
• LATAM Ecuador
• LIAT Airlines
• Libyan Airlines
• LOT Polish Airlines
• Lufthansa CityLine
• Malaysia Airlines
• Malindo Air
• Malmo Aviation
• Mandarin Airlines
• Mann Yadanarpon Airlines
• Mauritanian Airlines International
• Maya Island Air
• Mega Maldives Airlines
• Meridiana fly
• Middle East Airlines
• Mokulele Airlines
• Monarch Airlines
• Montenegro Airlines
• Montserrat Airways
• Myanmar Airways International
• Nepal Airlines
• Nesma Airlines
• New Gen Airways
• Niger Airlines
• NokScoot Airlines
• Nord Wind Airlines
• NordStar Airlines
• Norra Nordic Regional Airlines
• North-Wright Airways
• Northwestern Air
• Norwegian Air Shuttle
• NOVA Airways
• Olympic Air
• Orient Thai Airlines
• Our Airline
• Pacific Coastal Airlines
• Pegasus Airlines
• Pegasus Asia
• Peoples Viennaline
• Perimeter Aviation
• Peruvian Air Line
• PGA-Portugalia Airlines
• Philippine Airlines
• PIA Pakistan International Airlines
• Polar Airlines
• Porter Airlines
• Precision Air
• Proflight Zambia
• Provincial Airlines
• Qatar Airways
• Qingdao Airlines
• Ravn Alaska
• Regent Airways
• Regional Express
• Rossiya Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
• Royal Brunei Airlines
• Royal Jordanian
• Ruili Airlines
• S7 Airlines
• Safi Airways
• Santa Barbara Airlines
• SAS Scandanavian Airlines
• SATA Air Acores
• SATA Internacional
• Saudia Airlines
• Shaheen Air International
• Shandong Airlines
• Shanghai Airlines
• Sharp Airlines
• Shenzhen Airlines
• Sichuan Airlines
• Silver Airways
• Singapore Airlines
• Sky Airline
• Sky Express
• Skymark Airlines
• Skywork Airlines
• Smart Wings
• Solaseed Air
• Solomon Airlines
• South African Airways
• South African Express Airways
• Southern Airways
• Spirit Airways
• Spring Airlines
• Spring Airlines Japan
• Sri Lankan Airlines
• Sriwijaya Air
• STP Airways
• Sudan Airways
• Sun Country
• SunExpress Deutschland
• Sunrise Airways
• Surinam Airways
• Swiss International Airlines
• Syrian Arab Air
• TACV Cabo Verde Airlines
• TAME Linea Aerea del Ecuador
• TAP Portugal
• TAR Aerolineas
• Tassili Airlines
• Thai AirAsia
• Thai Airasia X
• Thai Airways
• Thai Lion Mentari
• Thomas Cook Airlines
• Thomson Airways
• Thunder Airlines
• Tianjin Airlines
• Tibet Airlines
• Tigerair Australia
• TNT Airways
• Transavia France
• Travel Service
• Travel Service Polska
• Tri-MG Intra Asia Airlines
• Trigana Air
• Tunisair Express
• Turkish Airlines
• Turkmenistan
• Ukraine International Airlines
• Uni Airways
• United Airlines
• Ural Airlines
• Urumqi Airlines
• Uzbekistan Airways
• Vanilla Air
• Vietnam Airlines
• VIM Airlines
• Virgin America
• Virgin Atlantic
• Virgin Australia
• VivaAerobus
• VivaColombia
• Warbelows Air Ventures
• White Airways
• Wings Abadi Airlines
• Xiamen Airlines
• Yamal Airlines
• Yangtze River Express
• Find a seat airline origin destination Use a flight number? flight number No flight number? date Search
• Aircraft codes
• Airline Alliances
• Airport codes
• Frequent flyer glossary
• Loyalty programs
• Points bloggers

No Bad Trips.

We show you the best-rated seats on your flight, rated by flyers like you — whether it's legroom, recline, seat width, pitch, power ports, overhead bin space, in-flight entertainment, wifi, or overall comfort and privacy you're after, we've got you covered. reviews and growing.-->, find a better seat for your flight.

• search by flight
• search by airline

Please welcome our latest planes:

Recommended reading:, people like us:.

Sign in to your Seatlink account

Forgot your password? We can fix that!

Enter your email address below and we'll send a password reset link:

Search for a new flight

7 tips for picking the perfect airplane seat every time

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Whether you're a window fan or prefer the aisle , your airplane seat can make or break your flying experience. While we'd all prefer to jet around in business or first class every time we travel, picking the perfect seat when you're booked in economy is even more important -- especially if you don't want to end up stuck in the dreaded middle seat . Here's what you should do to make sure you get to sit exactly where you want when flying.

Related: The 7 best starter credit cards

1. Decide where you want to sit

Deciding where you want to sit isn't always an exact science. For example, you could be a diehard window seat person, or maybe you really only like to have the window on red-eye flights when you prefer to sleep and otherwise prefer the aisle. If you're flying a route you know has turbulence, maybe you'd prefer to sit over the wing. Or, if you have a short layover, you may want to sit closer to the front to deplane first. And if you're traveling with a group, you'll have to consider not only your needs but also the preferences of your family members or friends, too.

Richard Kerr , TPG's Loyalty and Engagement Editor, prefers a seat in the back when flying with his family . That way, his family of four (including young children) are close to the lavatories and flight attendants. And, if the kids happen to have a meltdown, they're less likely to bother other passengers way in the back.

Travelers with babies may want to sit in the bulkhead where bassinets are available.

Personally, I'm always an aisle person, especially since I frequently travel alone. I'm restless and like to stand up and walk around -- even more so on long-haul flights.

Whatever your preferences are, decide where your dream seat is for your particular flight. Take into account the aircraft type, route, class of travel, the time and length of flight, travel companions and any other personal factors that could affect your seat choice.

2. Use SeatGuru

SeatGuru allows you to view the seat map for your aircraft and read reviews for the seats. Once you enter your airline, date of flight and flight number, a color-coded map of your aircraft will appear.

The colors indicate which seats have mixed, good or bad reviews. You'll also find other important factors that could impact your experience in that particular seat, like extra or reduced legroom or recline; exit row seating; proximity to galleys; and more. You can also determine the seat's pitch or width and if there are inflight entertainment screens and outlets to charge your electronic devices. The seat map shows the location of the lavatories, galleys and windows -- and allows travelers to upload photos of their seats.

Using SeatGuru can help you determine exactly where on the plane you'd like to sit in order to be near (or far from) a lavatory, if that exit row is worth paying extra for, or to keep you from selecting a seat without a window or with limited recline. We're hoping that somehow, in the future, it can tell us where babies are seated too, like the JAL seat-selection map .

3. Leverage status or credit cards for free seat selection

Once you've decided on your personal preference and checked out SeatGuru to get an idea of what you have to work with, see if you can select your seat for free. Take inventory of what elite status you have and see if any of your cobranded airline credit cards offer priority boarding, which can help you access unassigned seating faster.

For example, American Airline's policy for elite members states that elite members (and up to eight traveling companions ) can select complimentary Main Cabin Extra or Preferred seats for free. This policy doesn't apply to Gold members, who get access to these seats at check-in.

Seating on Southwest isn't assigned, but elite members get first dibs via priority boarding. And being a Southwest credit cardholder could also earn you the right to select your seat ahead of everyone else. Having the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Credit Card gives you four priority boardings a year, meaning you can board with the A group to get first pick of seats.

Related: How to score the best seats when flying Southwest Airlines

4. Decide if you should pay for your seat

Some airlines allow you to choose a seat for free, while others require a fee. Start by managing your booking online. The airline should specify if seat selection is free and which seats are still available. If seats aren't free, fees should be listed and may vary depending on the seat.

Seat selection fees can run from just $2 per seat on short-haul flights with low-cost European carriers such as Ryanair, to over $100 for preferred or premium seats on international routes with major carriers like American.

Keep in mind that seating on many partner airlines or international routes may vary regardless of your elite status. If you aren't able to select a seat online or are seeing a very hefty fee, it never hurts to call and ask.

Consider the following when deciding whether or not to pay for your seat:

• How much is it?
• Can I afford it?
• How upset will I be if assigned a middle seat?
• How badly do I want to sit next to my travel companion?
• Will I need to frequently stand up during the flight?
• Do I require a bassinet?
• Am I traveling with kids?
• Do I need an exit row, bulkhead or extra space due to my height or another circumstance?
• How long is my flight?
• Is this an overnight or red-eye flight during which I'll need to sleep?
• Will I be working during the flight and need space for my laptop?
• Will having my preferred seat help me relax?

Depending on the answers to your questions and the price quoted to pick your specific seat, you may choose to pay extra for your preferred seat. It's always worth phoning ahead to find out what the airline representatives can do for you, especially if you have any extenuating circumstances. They may consider your personal situation (think: a broken ankle, traveling with an elderly family member, large family or baby, pregnancy) and assign you a seat free of charge — or for less than it's quoted online.

5. Be friendly at check-in

If you've decided not to pay extra to reserve a seat or you've simply forgotten to do so online, being friendly to the check-in agent may help. If you approach the agent with a smile and kindly make your request, it may just be granted.

6. Book with an airline that blocks middle seats

Let's face it: Most of us are looking to book either aisle or window seats. A great way to ensure the likelihood of this happening is to book with an airline that is blocking middle seats . This has become a common practice among domestic carriers since the pandemic. At the very least, it narrows your chances of having a truly terrible seat (i.e. one in the middle).

7. If all else fails, ask on the plane

If all other attempts have failed and you can't manage to sit next to your travel companions or get the seat you want, it's always worth asking other passengers or the flight attendants if a swap is possible. While few people will give up their window seat for your lowly middle seat, there may be other circumstances where passengers may not mind swapping with you, especially if the flight isn't full. Remember: the nicer you are, the better your chances are of getting what you want.

And on the other side of things, if you've spent hours researching and selecting your perfect plane seat, and maybe spent 46 minutes waiting to speak to a representative to get your seat swapped, and another passenger asks you to move, you can always politely decline.

Feature photo by Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

Additional reporting by Ariana Arghandewal

We are an independent publisher. Our reporters create honest, accurate, and objective content to help you make decisions. To support our work, we are paid for providing advertising services. Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Next” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. The compensation we receive and other factors, such as your location, may impact what ads and links appear on our site, and how, where, and in what order ads and links appear. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, our site does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We strive to keep our information accurate and up-to-date, but some information may not be current. So, your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms on this site. And the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.

This page may include: credit card ads that we may be paid for (“advertiser listing”); and general information about credit card products (“editorial content”). Many, but not all, of the offers and clickable hyperlinks (such as a “Apply Now” button or “Learn More” button) that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. When you click on that hyperlink or button, you may be directed to the credit card issuer’s website where you can review the terms and conditions for your selected offer. Each advertiser is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its ad offer details, but we attempt to verify those offer details. We have partnerships with advertisers such as Brex, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo and Discover. We also include editorial content to educate consumers about financial products and services. Some of that content may also contain ads, including links to advertisers’ sites, and we may be paid on those ads or links.

For more information, please see How we make money .

We rank the best seats on a plane for your travel style

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money .

Update:   One or more card offers in this post are no longer available.  Check our  Hot Deals  for the latest offers.

Getting the perfect seat on an airplane can be the difference between a great flight and a miserable one, especially in coach. But ensuring you get one the best seats on a plane the next time you travel doesn’t have to be left to prayers and wishful thinking.

With the  best travel credit cards , you can earn large welcome bonuses that can get you traveling in lie-flat style. But many of us like to stretch our points (or cash) for inexpensive coach flights, and that’s where picking the best airline seat makes the biggest impact.

Learning the best seats on a plane for your travel style and priorities will help make your next flight more enjoyable. We’ve done the research so you don’t have to! Here are the top strategies for getting the best airline seat for your needs.

Exit rows, aisle or window seats, and anywhere close to the front are typically considered the best seats on a plane. On a short business trip, you might want an aisle seat near the front of the plane so you can debark as quickly as possible on arrival. If you’re flying coach, here are some tips that will improve your journey, regardless of your travel needs.

What are the best seats on a plane?

• Best seat for a smooth ride: A seat over the wing
• Best seat for sleepers: A window seat near the front
• Best seat for maximum legroom: An aisle seat in the second exit row
• Best seat for a quick plane exit: Any seat close to the front of the plane (on the left side for dual aisle aircraft)
• Best seat for the safety conscious: A seat toward the back of the plane
• Best seat for traveling with kids: A bulkhead seat with the kids by the window
• Best seat for A/C power: Any middle seat
• Best seat for larger passengers: Any aisle seat

How we chose the best seats on an airplane

Every traveler is different. Some of us fall asleep before the plane takes off, and others travel with children or struggle with long legs. Or you might easily get airsick or have anxiety about flying. So there isn’t one best seat for everyone.

Best seat for a smooth ride

Turbulence is virtually unavoidable while flying, but choosing a seat near the middle of the plane, over the wing, will make a bumpy ride less noticeable.

The further away you sit from the wings, the more noticeable turbulence will be. If you picture the airplane’s movements in response to turbulence as pivoting around a central spot (the center of gravity), you can imagine folks near the nose or tail will move up and down a lot more than if you’re seated near to the pivot point.

If you have a choice between multiple aircraft on the same route, picking a bigger plane usually means a smoother ride. Heavier airplanes typically react less to bumpy air. Most airline sites display the aircraft type somewhere next to the fare prices.

Best seat for sleepers

Do you fall asleep before the plane takes off?  If so, you have likely experienced the horror of waking up mid-flight realizing that you are drooling on the nice passenger next to you. Maybe you were rudely awoken so that someone could get out of the row to use the bathroom, or hit in the head by the passing beverage cart.

If you want to snooze, pick a window seat near the front, and preferably on the left side of the plane.

Being on the window means people in your row don’t need to wake you up to go to the restroom, and the flight attendant doesn’t need to reach over you to give refreshments to the other people in your row. Plus, leaning against the window is just more comfortable and you can control the lighting (lower the shade).

The front of the plane is less noisy, and the left side windows tend to be off-center due to the front door’s positioning. This allows you to rest your head against the column between windows, for a more comfortable rest.

Best seat for folks who like legroom

As a tall person, I know the struggles that carrying around extra long legs entails. I have felt the envy of seeing shorter people curl up into the fetal position in their seat, or stretch out their legs all the way in a row.

If you are vertically gifted, you want to try to get yourself a seat in the emergency exit row, preferably an aisle seat. Many planes have two over-wing exit rows, and the second row is best because the first exit row will not be able to recline in front of you.

The exit row is often better than a bulkhead row because you can stretch your legs out under the seat in front of you, giving you significantly more space.

It might seem obvious, but Premium Economy seats are also a great option. Most of the time these seats are still available up until boarding. Earning elite status with an airline (even the most basic level of status) will often make it easy to score these upgrades at no cost.

Best seat for a quick plane exit

You might have already spent hours on the flight, but sometimes the last 15 minutes while you wait to get off the plane can feel like the longest of it all.

Selecting a seat near the front of the aircraft will mean the quickest time to deplane. If you are flying on a plane with two aisles, choose a seat in the front with access to the left-hand aisle. The plane’s boarding door is always on the left, so that aisle tends to move quicker than the right-side aisle.

Best seat for the safety conscious

Popular Mechanics  conducted a study that examined every commercial jet crash in the United States,  since 1971, that had both fatalities and survivors. This study concluded that where you sit in a plane actually significantly impacts your chance of survival in the extremely unlikely event of a plane crash.

The study found that in U.S. airline crashes, passengers who sat in the back of the plane had a 69% chance of survival, compared to 56% chance for those who sat over the wing, and 49% for those in the (front 1/4 of the plane). The conclusion was that the passengers in the back of the plane were the safest.

Of course, flying is still the safest mode of transportation.

Best seat for traveling with kids

If you travel with kids, you know the dread of getting stuck in the center seat, with kids squirming and fussing. Then there are the last second emergencies to the bathroom. It can be embarrassing, but the right seat can make things easier.

When traveling with kids, try to get a bulkhead row. These rows offer extra space in front, so kids can stand up to get the occasional wiggles out (when the seatbelt light is off, of course). This also means kids aren’t bothering the row in front of you, which cuts down the number of glaring looks you get. 

The bulkhead seats are also often near (because there are bulkheads further back on some aircraft as well) the bathrooms, making last second bathroom emergencies a bit easier.

Once you have a bulkhead row, it is best to position kids against the window or middle seat (when traveling with two kids), avoiding the aisle seat (or reserving it for yourself). The window is a healthy distraction for kids, and more importantly, it avoids them from being hit by beverage carts, passengers rushing to the bathroom, or tumbling into the aisle.

Best seats for A/C power

Traveling with a laptop can often mean you are constantly on the look for those A/C power ports. These are the standard power outlets like you find in your home. Most airlines now advertise A/C power on their planes, but unfortunately, this is somewhat misleading.

You will want to look into each airline for how they offer A/C power on their planes if you are planning on using it. Some airlines, like  Alaska Airlines , offer an individual power outlet and USB plug for each seat. Other airlines like  United Airlines  have one shared A/C outlet per row.

For airlines with shared outlets, you will want to focus in on the middle seat, since the shared power outlet is usually under this seat, against the chair leg closest to the aisle. If you or a travel companion have the middle seat, then using this outlet becomes a lot less awkward.

If you are looking for a power outlet for your laptop it is best to opt for the middle seat, despite this seat’s other drawbacks.

Best seat for larger passengers

I was editing this article in the (overly-crowded) Alaska Airlines lounge at Seattle-Tacoma Airport when a friendly passenger named Jeff asked if he could sit next to me. Jeff asked what I was doing, and upon learning that I was helping people find the best seats on a plane, he offered some great advice that he uses as a larger passenger who travels often (Jeff travels once a week between San Francisco and Seattle).

Selecting an aisle seat is your best bet as it allows you to lean out into the aisle so you aren’t compressing the person next to you. What most people don’t realize, Jeff says, is that the aisle armrests actually lift up, making for a much more comfortable ride. When you first sit down, it might seem like the armrest is locked down. Feel for a small button or lever, located under the armrest, almost against the seatback. Holding this down will unlock the armrest, allowing you to lift it all the way up and giving you a lot more space.

Jeff explained that he has actually had very good success working with gate agents before a flight to assign him to an aisle row for this exact reason! Granted, Jeff has frequent flier status and is almost always upgraded to Premium Economy, which often has more open seating, so your mileage may vary.

Thanks for your contribution, Jeff! Meeting fellow travelers like you is what makes travel fun.

Bottom line

Every passenger is going to have certain flying and travel styles that will make different seats a better choice for them. Reserving the best airline seat ahead of time can take a lot of stress out of traveling.

To guarantee the best seats on any plane,  use miles and points to fly  business class or first class! Check out our list of the  best credit cards for travel  to find a card that will help you earn miles quickly or has a welcome bonus that is right for you. If you’re new to miles and points, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the  best credit cards for beginners .

For me, as a taller person, I try to get myself an aisle seat in the exit row. What’s the best seat on a plane for you?

For the latest tips and tricks on traveling big without spending a fortune,  please subscribe to the Million Mile Secrets daily email newsletter .

Alex Curtis

Contributor

Alex Curtis is a contributor to Million Mile Secrets, he covers topics on points and miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels, and general travel.

More Topics

General Travel

Join the Discussion!

You May Also Like

BonusTracker: Best credit card bonus offers

June 14, 2021 4

Best Hilton credit cards: Improved weekend night certificates, earning rates and more

June 12, 2021 2

Our Favorite Partner Cards

Popular posts.

Airline Seat Comparison Charts

• Short-haul Economy Class
• Short-haul First/Business Class
• Long-haul Economy Class
• Premium Economy Class
• Long-haul Business Class
• Long-haul First Class

Research seat comfort and amenities for different airlines before you book.

Not all airline seats are alike

SeatGuru's sortable Comparison Charts help you compare seating among different airlines.

Seat pitch and width can vary greatly among airlines - even among aircraft types for the same airline. One or two extra inches of seat pitch (distance from one row to the next) can make a huge difference in your comfort and productivity.

Having a personal video screen or power port to plug in your laptop or DVD player can make any trip more enjoyable.

Choose your upcoming flight type from the list to start comparing.

What kind of flight are you planning to take?

• Short-haul (flights under 6 hours)
• Economy Class
• First/Business Class
• Long-haul (flights over 6 hours)
• Business Class
• First Class

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• Trip Planning

Best Airline Seat Map Websites

Flying these days is often a huge hassle. You have to get to the airport early to make sure you get through security in time, and then there's the issue of the flight itself. One of the biggest issues related to your comfort and a pleasant trip is where you sit: how much legroom the seat has, how wide it is, and how much overhead bin space there is above you for your carry-on luggage . Other considerations include trying to avoid the middle seat in a group of three, getting your preference for a window or an aisle seat, and sitting close to the front of the section so you can deplane more quickly. If you pick a good seat, it makes the whole journey a lot better.

Thanks to the internet, passengers now have more control than ever when it comes to choosing their seats since they can get a lot of inside information from websites devoted to all kinds of seat facts. Check out these six websites for the inside skinny on which seats are best, right down to specific aircraft types. 

SeatGuru, which belongs to the TripAdvisor family, is considered the first place to go when it comes to choosing airline seats. Users have access to information that includes airline seat maps, flights shopping, and flight information; seat advice, user comments, and photos; and its Guru Factor comfort rating system for flight shopping.

Seat Expert

This website allows travelers to search by specific flight number or by airline. It also allows users to contact seat experts by email and provides the MilePoint forum, where travelers can interact and share information on InsideFlyer Forums.

ExpertFlyer

ExpertFlyer offers free and pro subscriptions. Under free, travelers can use the website to find a better seat by entering their flight information and creating an alert when a more desirable seat becomes available. Under pro, there are basic and premium levels that offer services that include data for more than 400 airlines, detailed seat maps, and the ability to search for awards and upgrades. Users can also download free iOS and Android apps that offer the same service.

This website, created by a company that specializes in air travel ratings and reviews, offers travelers detailed information on how to choose the best seats for their flights. It also offers seat reviews and seat plans, giving passengers the information they need to make the best seat selection.

SeatLink gets ratings from actual flyers and shares with you what they think of the legroom, seat width, power ports, space in the overhead bin, and just plain comfort. This website does not yet include most U.S. airlines, but if you're flying American, it has you covered.

Related Articles

More related articles.

Don't be fooled by windowless window seats. Here's how to avoid them. | Cruising Altitude

I recently helped my parents book a JetBlue flight to Paris and noticed after my mom sent me her finalized itinerary that she had made a grave error. 

She had selected seats in row 22, but a quick scan of the seating map on aeroLOPA.com let me know that row 22 was missing a window, so I encouraged her to switch to seats that weren’t so walled in.

Not all airplane seats are created equal. And I’m not just talking about the obvious stuff like business class seats being more spacious and comfortable than those in economy class. I’m talking about how there can be a huge difference between seat 21A and 22A on your next flight, and if you’re not an avgeek like me, you might not know how to tell until it’s too late.

Whenever I’m booking a trip, I pay close attention to the kind of aircraft that’s operating the flights I’m looking at. Most airlines will show you under the flight details what kind of plane is scheduled on all the itineraries they list. Before I hit purchase, I pop over to aeroLOPA to look at the seating layout.

That extra step helps me make sure I’ll be happy with my choices.

Why knowing your aircraft type matters

There can be variation from row to row on the same plane because cabin designers have to work within the confines of existing aircraft engineering. All Airbus A321LRs, like the one my parents are flying to Paris, for example, have the same window layout, but different airlines may set up their cabins differently, meaning the seats may have different alignments with those same windows.

“That’s one of those things where some of those guides won’t tell you if you’re in a row when you’re in between the windows,” Blaise Waguespack, a professor of marketing at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, told me. “Somebody unfortunately is going to get in that row where you’ve got a window in front, a window in back, but your neck’s up against that side wall.”

If I hadn’t known my parents were flying on JetBlue’s A321LR, I wouldn’t have been able to help them figure out the issue, and they would’ve been stuck staring at the wall for all those hours across the Atlantic.

How can you tell what kind of plane is operating your flight?

Airlines generally let you know at the top of the seat map when you go to choose your seats, or in the expanded flight details on the schedule selection page, what kind of plane is scheduled on your itinerary. 

Gregor Milne, owner and creator of aeroLOPA, told me it can get a little confusing for infrequent travelers if airlines operate multiple layouts on the same kind of plane.

LOPA is an industry jargon acronym that stands for "layout of passenger accommodations."

“For the more novice viewer the biggest hurdle is determining exactly which aircraft type is operating their flight,” he said. It can take a little detective work, cross-referencing the seat map shown on the carrier’s site with the more detailed layouts available elsewhere, to figure out what’s really on offer.

Milne works as an architect for his day job and said aeroLOPA was just a pandemic project that has grown over the years. But, he said, he’s clear-eyed about the platform’s limitations.

“What I’ve tried to do is ensure the maps are visually appealing and visually informative. The reader doesn’t have to think too much, it’s instinctive,” he said. 

What other resources are available to learn airplane seat layouts?

For a long time, most avgeek’s go-to tool for this kind of inquiry was SeatGuru . The site has some great functionality, including the ability to input your flight info and get the likely map for the plane scheduled to operate that trip.

SeatGuru’s database isn’t regularly updated, however, so as airlines add new planes and retire parts of their fleet, it’s becoming less reliable, especially if airlines have reconfigured planes or introduced new types of aircraft into their fleet since updates from years ago. The information may no longer be accurate.

SeatMaestro is a similar tool to SeatGuru, but I prefer aeroLOPA because it has the most detailed representations of what airplane cabins actually look like.

“The plane I fly on the most is a British Airways A320, and I’ll always go for seat 3F. … That’s because of my body and my shape, and everyone’s different,” Milne said, adding that he finds looking out the window in row 3 more comfortable than in row 2 on that aircraft.

So, next time you travel, take a look at some of the resources online to see how you can make your journey as comfortable as possible. 

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at [email protected]

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Advertiser Disclosure

Here's how to pick the best seat for your flight this year.

Here are six tips to help you get the best seat possible.

Window, aisle, front, back -- where's the best seat on the plane?

Knowing which seat to choose on a flight can be stressful, especially if you have a flight coming up. Maybe you're asking yourself the most difficult question: window or aisle? On a long flight, a window may be preferable for sleeping, but then what happens when you need to get up? Is it really worth awkwardly climbing over a whole row of people to go to the bathroom? 

I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who isn't a frequent flyer and who wanted to know how to choose the best seat on a flight.  I travel a lot : I've flown to and from every continent (except Antarctica) multiple times. My most recent long-haul, at 15 hours, was from LA to Sydney, a flight I've taken a few times before . As I was giving my friend a verbal download, explaining what I do for every flight, I realized, "Hey, I should write that down." 

So if you're a million-miler with your favorite airline and have your frequent flyer number tattooed on your bicep, this won't be news to you. But if you haven't flown in a while -- or maybe never -- this advice could help. Personally, I'm always willing to spend a little more for the privilege of being able to choose my own seat -- or I fly an airline where I have enough status that it's free to choose. To me, it's a small price to pay to avoid a middle seat. 

Let's start with the basics and go from there.

1. Window or aisle?

Don't expect too much comfort no matter what seat you pick.

There's no right or wrong answer here. It's absolutely down to personal preference. For me, I always choose the window. Even after flying all over the world, seeing it all from 35,000 feet never gets old. Also, it lets you lean against something to sleep, and you don't get wobbly passengers bumping into you every few minutes. 

On the other hand, the aisle is an equally valid choice. The biggest reason: You're free to get up and move around anytime you want. Need to use the bathroom? No need to wake your seatmates. Want to stretch your legs? Go for it. 

That said, if you haven't flown in a while, or ever, it's hard to beat watching the world pass below at 550 mph. 

2. Front or back?

Ideally, you can get a seat where the wing isn't in the way of the view. Not always possible though. Also, check out that huge window. This is on a Boeing 787. More on aircraft types below.

Usually, it's best to pick a seat toward the front of the plane for several reasons: It's usually quieter, and you can get on and off faster.

There's a balance between choosing front/back and window/aisle. Is it worth it, if you want a window seat, to sit in the back of the plane if that's the only option? Usually, I'd say yes. If you have a short connection, where it will be many minutes for all the rows ahead to deplane, perhaps not. In that case, an aisle seat close to the front might be the better choice. 

The interior of Boeing's upcoming 777X.

Also note where the wing is. On most aircraft, the coach seats begin just forward of the wing. If you can snag a seat forward of the wing, do it, as it will be a little quieter and offer a better view. 

It's also worth keeping an eye out for bulkhead seats. Bulkhead seats, those next to one of the vertical bulkhead walls that separate sections in the aircraft, can sometimes be great. Without a seat in front of you, you'll often have a bit more room. However, you'll have to stow all your belongings in the overhead bins for takeoff and landing. Also, it's more likely for there to be babies in your row. On many aircraft, the seats are narrower, too, since the entertainment screen is mounted in between them on a pivot arm.

Avoid seats in front of a bulkhead, however. These often have limited, and potentially no, recline.

It's also good to avoid being too close to the galley or bathrooms, especially on longer flights. These areas can be noisy and crowded, and potentially proffer particular pungencies.

Pro Travel Tip

Getting a Dollar Flight Club lifetime subscriptions can save you thousands on travel.

3. To exit row or not to exit row

Bulkhead seats might have additional legroom, but come at a price (either literal or figurative).

This isn't the easy choice it's often made out to be. Usually, you won't be able to store any luggage under the seat in front of you. You'll also need to be able to speak the native language of the airline company (not an issue if you're only flying in your home country). Some aircraft have two exit rows, so the first row won't recline. 

Also, the window seats here are way less fun. The windows are in the emergency exit doors, and are often smaller than elsewhere on the aircraft. I've also found these seats to be significantly colder than the rest of the plane. 

That said, you will typically get more legroom.

4. Type of plane

Getting settled in for my 15-hour flight to Sydney. Check out the huge windows on this 787. The button at the bottom controls the electrochromic  opacity instead of having a traditional window shade.

The above three tips cover just about every aircraft. But what about the times you can choose a different plane? Many routes are covered by multiple airlines flying different types of aircraft. If you're not bound to a specific airline, and if you're reading this I'm guessing you're not, it's worth digging a bit deeper and checking your options. You don't need to know every model of every plane, just two things. 

First, if there's an option to fly a Boeing 787 or Airbus A350 , consider those. These aircraft feature a more modern design, with higher cabin pressure and humidity . This makes them more comfortable to sit in for many hours. It can be the difference between arriving after a 12-plus hour flight feeling fine or feeling wasted. I've also found the 787 to be quieter than other aircraft. Best of all, the windows are huge --  significantly larger than those on other aircraft.

A 787 in Air New Zealand's livery.

Another aspect to consider is cabin layout. Shorter routes are typically flown on smaller aircraft, usually with a 3-3 layout, as in three seats, an aisle, and three more seats. Longer flights, usually with larger "wide body" aircraft, might have 2-3-2, 3-3-3, or in some cases, 3-4-3. This offers a bunch of new choices. I love a good 2-3-2 since you can have a window seat with only one person next to you. With the larger/denser designs, I'd say an aisle on the edges is better than an aisle in the middle, since you're at least somewhat near a window. An aisle in the middle of a 3-3-3 only has one person that might need to climb over you to get to the toilet. It's also better than a middle seat anywhere.

5. SeatGuru

Select your flight and SeatGuru will show you a layout of the likely aircraft for that flight. Avoid the red seats for sure. I tend to avoid the yellow ones too, when possible.

My last step, before I book, is to check SeatGuru . This site rates the seats on different aircraft across most airlines. Why didn't I just send you here first? Well, it doesn't give you much in the way of what's "best," more what's bad and what could be a little better. For instance, it will say a seat behind the bulkhead is probably good, and the one in front probably bad. However, it will rate a window seat near the front of the plane the same as one in the back. If you know what you're looking for, it's a handy tool. If you're less familiar, like you don't know what's larger, a 380, a 777 or a 787, it's less useful.

The best use of SeatGuru is finding out if your carefully chosen window seat actually has a window . Yep, that's a thing, and the airline won't tell you on their website. They'll gladly take your money to choose that seat, though.

6. Go for the upgrade?

My business class seat to Sydney. United's Polaris design gets you a lie-flat seat, no seatmate, a table, and more. 

There are a variety of ways to upgrade your seat, either to an economy plus seat (standard seat, better room) or even business class (much bigger seat). Is this worth it? Sometimes, yes. For my recent 15-hour flight to Sydney, I used a tremendous amount of airline points to fly business class, and it was a wonderful treat. Lots of food, a seat that converted to a bed, a big TV -- it was just pure luxury. Would I have been better off getting a flight (or two) for free using the same miles? Almost certainly. But it was my first international flight since COVID so I treated myself. 

My general rule is for any flight less than 10 hours, I don't consider an upgrade. Anything over 12, I do. For instance, I'd say US cross-country flights are a total waste of upgrade points unless you have tons to spare. 

Somewhere in-between is the extra legroom provided by economy plus, also known as premium economy and other similar names. Many airlines offer this, either via points or a cash upgrade. I'm just under 6 feet and can more or less cram myself into a standard economy seat. If you're taller, or of the particularly long-legged variety, these seats (or exit row seats) are definitely worth considering. 

Related on CNET

• 15 Hours on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, in Coach
• 9 Hours on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, in Business Class
• Take Better Vacation Photos: 7 Tips From a Travel Buff
• Long Flight Must Haves

There are a few more things to help ensure the best flight possible. 

• Get to the airport early. Check-in and security are always going to be a hassle. Don't add the stress of potentially missing your flight to that noise. Give yourself time. Worst case? You have to sit in the terminal for a few minutes longer. I'll trade that for no stress any day. Two hours should do it. Be skeptical of anyone who says less. They probably do it all the time and likely have access to special lanes that let them speed through security and check-in.

An Airbus A350.

• Yes, it's annoying to have to "pay extra" for things like food and seat selection, but consider that the price of the flight was made cheaper to attract your eye and that the "real" price, with what should be essentials, is actually higher. That's what I do, anyway, to reduce my annoyance. 
• Many credit cards offer airport and airline perks like lounge access, early boarding and free checked luggage. It's worth checking.
• If possible, choose a nonstop flight. Less chance for the airline to lose your luggage, or for you to miss a connection.
• Personally, I'm willing to pay a little more for a flight that has no hassles and a good seat than one with annoying times, layovers and only middle seats. Of course, that's me as a solo traveler. I totally understand how quickly those small price differences can add up if you're flying with your family. 

Looking for more travel tips? Check out Long Flight Must Haves for some items I always bring on every flight.

As well as covering audio and display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines , aircraft carriers , medieval castles , epic 10,000-mile road trips and more.

Also check out Budget Travel for Dummies , his travel book, and his bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines. You can follow him on Instagram and YouTube . 

Find the seat map for your flight

Already have a flight reservation? Find your seat map! or browse the airplane list

What people are saying about their flights

La primera fila del A320 neo no tiene espacio para los pies, aún siendo Business. No hay lugar para guardar el equipaje de mano, ya que achicaron tanto el avión que los espacios superiores están ocupados por servicios básicos de la aeronave (balsas, elementos de seguridad, demo, etc). Los asientos son de ancho de economy, con el asiento del medio reservado para apoyabrazos. Servicio lowcost aún en clase business. Evitar pagar clase business si es…

The Premium Economy seat on LOT 787 is the worst airpline seat I have ever had. AVOID AT ALL COSTS. The movie screen and tray tables are in the armrests which are a full 6 inches longer than most center arms. This leaves 6 inches to squeeze through if you are not in an aise seat -- and FOUR INCHES if the seat in front is reclined. Recline is minimal. Extra legroom is barely noticeable…

Super seat, super service. One or two people walked in front of me to change isles, but I was quite relaxed about it. I am two metres tall (6" 5') and the leg room was fine whilst the seat was upright. There was a headset but I did not use it. Flying ANA was a

Latest air travel tips

Hotel panviman koh phangan - a treasure on a beautiful crescent moon beach, the lebua hotel in bangkok – world´s leading luxury all-suite hotel, hotel del parque - 5 star top luxury in guayaquil, the singular, santiago de chile, is a rare 5-star gem, royal livingstone hotel anantara - top luxury in the zambian jungle, overcoming your fear of flying, the emblem hotel - top location in prague, hotel cavo tagoo – a dream come true in mykonos, hotel grande bretagne - magnificent and luxurious hotel in athens, as featured on.

Get Daily Travel Tips & Deals!

By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use .

7 Expert Airplane Seat Hacks to Boost Comfort on Long Flights

Shannon McMahon

Editor Shannon McMahon is always planning her next trip and often writing in her travel journal. Follow her on Twitter @shanmcmahon_ and on Instagram @shanmcmahon .

Shannon joined SmarterTravel in 2015. A former news reporter, she's lived in the south of Spain, spotted elephants in Sri Lanka, gone spelunking in the Caribbean, hiked Jordan's Petra Basin, interviewed Sao Paulo's Michelin-Star chefs, and explored China via bullet train. Travel trends, news oddities, and her visits to up-and-coming destinations are some of her favorite things to write about.

Her stories have also appeared online on USA Today, The Sun, Huffington Post, Business Insider, blog.TripAdvisor.com, Boston.com, and more. Her educational background is in journalism, art history, gender studies, Spanish, and film. She's been quoted as an expert travel source by CNBC, People.com, MarketWatch, The Washington Post, USA Today, and more.

The Handy Item I Always Pack : "Plenty of extra thick hair elastics. They tame my frizzy curls and come in handy in a surprising number of packing and hotel dilemmas."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience : "Climbing (yes, climbing, it's steep!) the Great Wall of China before it's gone."

Travel Motto : "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." - Mark Twain

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat : "Window, of course."

Email Shannon at [email protected] .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

Getting comfortable on long plane rides is easier said than done—and it’s different for everyone. Depending on your height, medical history, seat preference, and other factors, you’ll need particular adjustments to maximize comfort. Frequent-flying travel experts, however, have just the airplane seat hacks for you.

Airplane Seat Hacks for a More Comfortable Flight

From minor, on-the-fly adjustments to packing your own seat-comfort accessory, here are the airplane seat hacks that work for experts including a traveling sports medicine chiropractor and SmarterTravel’s own travel editors.

Add Lumbar Support

The unsung hero of long flights for many travel experts is makeshift lumbar support. Simply placing a rolled up jacket or blanket across the lower seatback can support the natural curve of the spine in a way that C-shaped airplane seats don’t. And Dr. Norman Eng , Olympic sports medicine chiropractor to Team USA during the 2016 Olympic Games, tells me it’s his airplane seat hack.

“I always try to roll up a blanket or towel and place at the low back region to give some low back support that’s needed,” Eng said. He also advises travelers to “try to get a massage and adjusted before a flight, as it can lessen the potential for neck and low back pain.”

Summon a Foot Rest

Some of the best airplane seat hacks can be accomplished by making use of what you have on hand. For shorter travelers, that’s as easy as using your carry-on bag to kick your feet up.

“I use my personal item, usually a backpack or larger over-the-shoulder bag, as a footrest on long flights,” says SmarterTravel’s Caroline Morse Teel. Slip off your shoes before your feet begin to swell from the cabin pressure and slip on some soft, fresh socks to make this simple solution feel even cozier.

For something sturdier, or for those who don’t typically keep a large personal item on the floor, try a packable foot rest. This  foot hammock can attach to your tray table arms and adjust to whatever height you need. Kid-friendly foot rests like the Plane Pal , recommended for flying with kids by SmarterTravel’s Christine Sarkis, inflates with a handy pump.

Use a Seat Cushion

Another useful airplane seat hack for those with lower back problems, Magellan’s self-inflating airplane seat cushion is SmarterTravel’s Sarah Schlichter’s best friend. The seat cushion’s non-slip material will keep it in place the whole flight, and the U-shaped pad self-inflates at the turn of a valve so you won’t have to huff and puff it to life.

Not sold on reclining your plane seat? Maybe a doctor’s orders can convince you otherwise. Eng tells me he’s squarely on Team Recline, since reclining can help prevent airplane seat-induced neck issues.

“Neck pain after flights is a frequent complaint,” Eng said. “If I’m on a long-haul flight, I prefer to recline the seat and use neck pillows to minimize the flopping around of the head during flights.”

Pack a spAIRTray

Taller travelers tend to knock knees with their tray tables, and passengers using laptops run out of tray-table surface area quickly. Both problems be solved by choosing the window seat and using a handy spAIRTray , a window-attached shelf roomy enough for your phone, drinks, or other small items.

“My dad loves the spAirTray travel shelf for the window seat and gets lots of questions from flight attendants about it,” SmarterTravel’s Ashley Rossi says. “It’s great for business travelers who need to get work done on the plane.”  

Bring a Massage Ball

Need a packable airplane seat hack for those airplane seat-induced muscle knots? SmarterTravel’s Jamie Ditaranto says she like to bring along “ massage balls that you can use to release any muscles that tensed up during the flight. For example, you can put one behind your shoulder and lean back on it while you’re sitting.”

Simply Pick the Window Seat

If sleeping upright in an airplane seat is your biggest travel conundrum, don’t underestimate the age-old trick of choosing the window seat—which SmarterTravel’s Patricia Magaña swears by. Supporting your head on the wall can be more comfortable than using a neck pillow. Simply tuck a rolled-up blanket or spare sweater atop your shoulder, or add an airline pillow to the armrest to cushion a sleepy lean. It might not get you a full red-eye night of sleep, but it may be better than attempting to sleep sitting up in the middle or aisle seat, where seatmates may wake you up for bathroom access.

What to Pack in Your Carry-On

Women’s business casual outfit for travel with carry-on, shop the look.

Ribbed Puff Sleeve Tee

Dress Pant Yoga Pants

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

20-Inch & 28-Inch Trunk Rolling Luggage Set

Men’s Amazon-Based Chill End of Summer Outfit

Espadrilles

Drawstring Shorts

Bifold Wallet

Women’s fancy outfit for a nice dinner.

Small Pearl Earrings with Diamonds

Floral Lace V-Neck Sheath Dress

Shimmer Wrap

Honeysuckle & Davana Cologne

Olivia Wedge

Men’s evening outfit for a cruise.

Riviera Short Sleeve Shirt

Stretch Technical Shorts

Square Sunglasses

Swimsuit for Women to Wear on the Beach

Ribbed One-Piece

Cushioned Flip Flops

Day-Light Protection Sun Screen SPF 50

Ripped Mom Shorts

Men’s swimsuit to wear on a cruise.

Revere Shirt

Board Shorts

Oversized Beach Towel

Women’s Semi-Casual Outfit for a Sunset Dinner

Floral Print Maxi Dress

Palm Coin Necklace

Blair Wristlet

Men’s casual summer outfit from nordstrom.

Floral Sport Shirt

Skinny Fit Jeans

Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Original Achilles Sneaker

Women’s trendy yoga outfit.

Jade Paloma Bra & Leggings

Wool Runners

40-Ounce Wide Mouth Cap Bottle

Third Rose Natural Deodorant

Loop It Up Mat Strap Eyelet

Men’s casual outfit for a trip to africa.

Linen-Blend Shirt

Raw Hem Chino Shorts

Crushable Wool Felt Outback Hat

Leather Bracelet

More from SmarterTravel:

• 10 Tricks to Making Coach Class Comfier
• How to Get the Best Airplane Seat
• Should Airlines Get Rid of Reclining Seats? This One Is.

SmarterTravel Editor Shannon McMahon writes about all things travel. Follow her on Instagram at @shanmcmahon .

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

Top Fares From

Don't see a fare you like? View all flight deals from your city.

Today's top travel deals.

Brought to you by ShermansTravel

Amalfi Coast: 7-Nt, Active Family Tour...

Exodus Adventure Travels

9-Night Asia Cruise From Taipei to...

Norwegian Cruise Line

Ohio: Daily Car Rentals from Cincinnati

Trending on SmarterTravel

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

What to Look for in Airline Seat Reviews

Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.

As anyone who flies a lot can tell you, there are huge differences between airline seats. From legroom and seat recline, to in-flight entertainment and power outlets, you can have a vastly different experience even between planes on a single airline.

For example, some American Airlines Airbus A321 aircraft have seatback screens and power outlets, while other A321 aircraft have neither. Power and entertainment may not make much of a difference on a short flight, but if you're on a six-hour coast-to-coast flight, charging your phone and watching a movie can make your experience a lot more pleasant.

With a little research, you can greatly improve your flight experience, whether on a short hop or a long international flight.

Here’s what to look for in airline seat reviews, plus some tools for picking the perfect airplane seat.

What to consider when picking your airline seat

Some travelers love to watch the world go by via a window seat. Other flyers prefer an aisle seat and the freedom of easily being able to get up. But no matter what type of seat you prefer, there are five major things to consider when picking your airline seat.

1. Legroom and seat pitch

It's no fun to fly with your knees jammed up against the seat in front of you. So for many travelers, there's one measurement that rules them all: seat pitch.

Put simply, seat pitch is the measurement between one seatback and the same spot on the next seatback.

Seat pitch isn't the definitive measure of legroom. A seat with a lot of padding won’t give you as much legroom as a "slimline" seat with the same pitch. Still, seat pitch remains a decent measurement of how much personal space you'll have onboard.

What's a good seat pitch? In economy class, a good seat pitch is considered 32 inches or more. Many major U.S. airlines have reduced seat pitch on much of their domestic fleet to a tight 30 to 31 inches. Meanwhile, ultra-low-cost carriers — like Spirit and Frontier — typically have only 28 to 29 inches of pitch.

» Learn more: When to fly low-cost carriers versus full-service airlines

2. Seat width

The space between armrests, the seat width, is also important.

Seat width mostly depends on the type of aircraft you're flying. For example, you may want to fly an Airbus A320 instead of a Boeing 737. The Boeing 737 has a cabin width of 139 inches, while the Airbus A320 has a cabin width of 146 inches, and both aircraft have six seats in each row. In essence, you can expect an extra inch of seat width for each seat on the Airbus A320 versus the Boeing 737.

Even larger aircrafts must play these math games. For example, many airlines now fly with 10 seats per row in economy on the Boeing 777. However, some airlines have maintained a more-spacious nine-seat arrangement.

Sometimes this works out in the traveler's favor. For instance, Japan Airlines installed just eight seats per row in economy on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Almost every other airline opted for nine seats per row on the Dreamliner. On the flip side, low-cost airline French Bee packs in 10 seats per row on its Airbus A350 aircraft. Most other airlines have just nine seats per row on their Airbus A350 planes.

What's a good seat width? Wide airplanes with less seats per row. Airbus 320's, for example, are usually more spacious than Boeing 737.

3. Bulkhead seats

Seats at the front of each cabin are typically considered "bulkhead" seats. Because bulkhead seats often have extra knee room, airlines often consider them premium seats and charge extra to book them.

» Learn more: Which airlines have the best (and worst) fees?

There are other potential downsides to bulkhead seats. Since there's no seat in front, the tray table is typically stowed in the armrest between seats, which can mean a thicker armrest and less seat width. This also likely means that there’s no under-seat storage — even purses and other small items have to go in the overhead compartment during takeoff and landing.

Even though you might have plenty of room for your knees, the bulkhead wall may keep you from stretching out your legs.

What's a good bulkhead seat? Bulkhead seats are good for people who want extra legroom, but don't mind the lack of under-seat storage.

4. Window seats with missing windows

For travelers who enjoy looking out the window, there's perhaps no more frustrating experience than boarding a plane only to find that your window seat doesn't have a window. To avoid this fate, check SeatGuru (more on this tool below) and the airline's fleet page to see if a particular seat is missing a window.

What's a good window seat? A window seat that has a clear view of the window, instead of an obstructed view. There may able be rows without windows at all due to the configuration of the seats.

5. Tradeoffs in the back of the aircraft

Many travelers like to sit as far forward in the plane as possible. However, in larger planes, there's a reason to opt for seats in the back.

Typically, as the aircraft fuselage narrows, airlines will reduce the number of seats installed in each row. Often, this can lead to a row having just two seats instead of three. A couple traveling together can get both an aisle seat and a window seat without having anyone in the middle.

Of course, the back of the aircraft has drawbacks. Restrooms are generally found at the back of aircraft, so you may have to put up with the frequent sound of flushing, not to mention disruptions from passengers waiting in line to use the bathroom. Being in the rear could also mean painfully long disembarkment wait times.

What's a good back of the airplane seat? Two people traveling together who want an aisle and window seat might opt to sit at the back of the plane where there are less seats per row.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

Tools for picking the perfect airline seat

Now that you know what to look for, you should know how to find the best airline seat reviews. We recommend using tools like SeatGuru, Google Flights (with an optional plug-in) and the airline's own fleet page to get a better idea of what you (and your bum) are in for.

SeatGuru is an excellent resource for finding airline seat reviews. For almost every aircraft in the skies, SeatGuru offers an airplane seat map, plus notes about which seats are the best and which to avoid. You'll see the seat pitch, seat width, video type, power type, Wi-Fi availability and seat type. Basically, the only aspect that's missing is information on seat recline.

In addition to the website's expert-driven reviews, SeatGuru users can submit their own airline seat reviews. Some of these can be quite detailed and helpful for picking the perfect airplane seat.

If you're looking for the best seat on your flight, you don't even need to know what aircraft you're flying on. Just go to the SeatGuru homepage and enter your flight number to see the seat map for your flight.

Google Flights

One of the easiest ways to find and sort through flight options is Google Flights . However, Google Flights is more than just a great tool to find the cheapest fares.

» Learn more: How to shop for flights

For each flight, Google Flights includes information about aircraft type, seat pitch, Wi-Fi availability, power outlets and in-flight entertainment options. Plus, Google Flights will flag fares that don't include carry-on bags with an icon of a slash through a bag.

To make your Google Flights experience even easier, consider adding the free Google Chrome plug-in Legrooms for Google Flights . This plug-in doesn't add any additional data. Instead, it consolidates the data in a way that makes it much easier to compare options.

In the example below, you can see that each of the flight options offers a seat pitch of 31 inches and Wi-Fi on both legs of the journey. However, United doesn't have power on the first flight. Further, the Delta option only has USB power on the long flight from Atlanta to Honolulu.

Airline fleet pages

If you want to get information straight from the source, many airlines offer an aircraft or fleet page. The fleet pages for some of the major U.S. airlines are:

Alaska Airlines .

American Airlines .

Delta Air Lines .

United Airlines .

These pages show the types of aircraft the airline flies, along with airplane seat maps, seat pitch, seat width, Wi-Fi, in-flight entertainment and the number of passenger seats in each cabin.

Aviation geeks will appreciate some of the nerdier information United and Alaska include, such as cruise speed, type of engines, number of crew and aircraft range, length and wingspan.

Want to visualize what the experience is like onboard? United offers 3D renderings inside some of its aircraft.

» Learn more: How to choose a travel credit card

If you’re looking for the best seat

Whether you're flying a few hours or many, your seat can make a big difference in your travel experience. By choosing the best spot in your cabin, you can stretch out your legs, be entertained during the flight and arrive fully charged. And by using tools like SeatGuru, Google Flights and airline fleet pages, you can pick the perfect airplane seat for you.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

The Best New Airline Seats Launching This Year—Including Bunk Beds in Economy

Few things in life are as miserable as flying in an uncomfortable airline seat for hours on end. Fortunately for air travelers, cramped legroom and sleepless flights are so last year.

2024 is chock full of new airline cabin launches featuring innovative seat designs that will significantly up the comfort quotient on long-haul flights. Whether you’re traveling in coach or living large in first class , expect to see changes to plane seats this year that offer passengers more space, increased privacy, and better mid-flight sleep across cabin classes.

From the world’s first-ever beds in economy class to private suites with flatscreen TVs and starlit ceilings, here are seven of the best new airline seats launching through 2024, including, yes, beds in economy.

Economy passengers will be able to reserve four-hour time slots in the SkyNest for around $400 to $600.

Air New Zealand’s SkyNest in economy

The world’s first-ever beds in economy class will launch this year when Air New Zealand rolls out its economy SkyNest bunks in September. Passengers in premium and regular economy will have access to a sleep zone featuring six lie-flat beds configured in a bunk bed style. The SkyNest area will be located between the two economy cabins, with passengers able to book one four-hour session for around $400 to $600. The beds will be available on the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes on select ultra-long-haul routes, including those flying from New York and Chicago to New Zealand , which can stretch up to 17 hours long.

Japan Airlines premium economy on the new A350-1000

Japan Airlines recently debuted an ultra-luxe premium economy seat on board its just-launched A350-1000 planes . In addition to featuring a fixed hardshell back, the seats will be the world’s first in premium economy to have an automatic recline function, making the process of reclining easier and as seamless as business class. There’s also motorized legrests and privacy partitions between each seat for an extra sense of seclusion. Among the other features are a 16-inch entertainment monitor that’s Bluetooth capable, noise-canceling headphones, and USB type A and C charging ports. The first of JAL’s 13 new A350-1000 planes began flying earlier in January between New York and Tokyo .

Lufthansa Allegris premium economy

The newest Allegris premium economy seat from Lufthansa will treat passengers to even more business-class-style perks. Most notable? A pod-like, hardshell seat back that allows customers to recline their seat without encroaching on the passenger behind them—a design feature usually only available in business or first. Other perks include leg rests, a cocktail table in the armrest, coat hook, personal reading light, 15.6-inch entertainment screen with Bluetooth capability, USB charging ports, and noise-canceling headphones. The new premium economy seats are set to roll out on Lufthansa’s new A350 and 787 Dreamliner planes in spring 2024 as part of the carrier’s new Allegris cabin designs —which will also see new seats in regular economy, business class, and first class (more on that below).

The completely lie-flat seats in Lufthansa's new first-class Allegris suite feature built in heaters and coolers.

Lufthansa Allegris first-class suite

If the privacy of a suite is alluring, then Lufthansa’s new first-class Allegris suite was made for you. The new suite’s walls and sliding doors will almost reach to the ceiling for ultimate seclusion. Each lie-flat seat will also have built in heaters and coolers so each passenger can customize their personal temperature and a “shoulder sink-in” design for more comfortable side sleeping. Inside the suite, there’s also a large dining table, a huge 32-inch entertainment screen, and a personal wardrobe. When it launches the entire cabin will be able to accommodate up to four passengers only.

Japan Airlines business class suites on the new A350-1000

Toward the front of its new A350-1000 jets, Japan Airlines has added fully closing doors to its business class seats for the first time. Inside the private suites, passengers will find innovative design elements, like a wireless charging station and a storage cubby on the floor that can accommodate a full-size carry-on bag, allowing easier access to personal belongings during the flight. As such, JAL has eliminated overhead bins over the center aisle of seats to give the cabin a more open feel. (Bins are still available on the side rows.) The lie-flat seats have high-quality speakers built directly into the headrests, eliminating the need to worry about headphones. When in lie-flat mode, the seat’s headrest can also be propped up to continue comfortably watching the entertainment screen, which measures a whopping 24-inches wide.

The Leihōkū Suite will be the first business class option offered on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

Hawaiian Airlines business class suites on its new Boeing Dreamliner

Also launching business class suites for the first time in 2024 is Hawaiian Airlines . When its new Boeing 787 Dreamliner debuts in April, it will feature a totally reimagined business class with 34 lie-flat seats with fully closing doors. Dubbed the Leihōkū Suite, the new product will include wireless charging, an 18-inch entertainment screen, a starlit ceiling, and direct aisle access for every customer.

Air France La Premiere first class

Air France’s revamped La Premiere first class cabin is sure to be one of the most exciting seat debuts in quite some time. Although its rollout could possibly be delayed until 2025, and there are few details currently available, the specifications that have been released sound like one of the most luxe cabins in the sky. The new first class suite will be the longest available on the market, stretching across a vast five windows, according to aviation site One Mile at a Time . (That’s one window longer than the current suite.) The new La Premiere suite will also offer three seating options to passengers, including a seat, a bed, and a sofa. The cabin will also feel extremely exclusive, featuring just three secluded seats.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Travel info
• MileagePlus® Program

United flights

Seating options

Which United seat is right for you?

• Better Seats

Upgrade now

Ready to experience the best way to travel? Book your next trip with United now

Enjoy the experience.

Frequently asked questions about our seating options

For all fare classes except Basic Economy, you’ll be able to pick your seat or change your seat assignment. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you’re able to purchase a seat assignment during booking and up until check-in opens. Learn more about Basic Economy restrictions.

You can choose a seat or change your seat assignment for most United- and United Express®-operated flights on united.com , on the United app or through your travel agent. If no seat assignments are available, you can check back closer to departure to see whether seats have become available. Learn more about seating options .

Seat assignments, no matter the fare class you purchase, aren’t guaranteed and could change without notice because of schedule changes, equipment swaps or other unforeseen circumstances.

We’ll always try to assign you the same or similar seat type and location and keep you with your traveling companions when you’re booked in the same reservation, unless you’ve purchased a Basic Economy ticket without purchasing advance seat assignments. We know that your seat assignment is important, so we’ll do our best to keep your original seat preference.

We may briefly hold some seats for operational reasons, and don’t allow seat selection or changes for Basic Economy tickets. If you’re unable to choose a seat, we’ll assign you one at check-in or at the departure gate.

All customers with Basic Economy tickets, including United MileagePlus® Premier® members, are eligible to purchase Economy Plus seating at check-in only.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

• Travel Products
• Luggage + Bags
• Suitcases + Duffel Bags

The 9 Best Underseat Luggage Pieces of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Our favorite underseat luggage options are sleek, sturdy, and hold all the essentials.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

A piece of underseat luggage is one of the best solutions for preventing baggage stress while traveling by air. You can have your valuables right at your feet, you don’t have to worry about checked bag fees, and the best underseat luggage can fit at least a few days’ worth of clothing.

To find the best carry-on luggage that fits under airplane seats, we tested 21 bags in our New York City lab. We packed each bag with a weekend’s worth of clothing, a laptop, and a toiletry bag and then placed the suitcases in a compartment we created to replicate the average dimensions of storage space underneath airplane seats. We set up an obstacle course to test the maneuverability of the wheeled bags by pushing and pulling them around cones, and we even built our own to-scale airplane set to test how each piece of luggage fit under the seats and in overhead bins. Take a look at the picks that withstood the tests and impressed our editors.

Best Overall

Calpak luka soft-sided mini carry-on luggage.

It's sturdy, functional, and much more spacious than it looks.

It doesn't maneuver quite as easily on two wheels as it does on all four.

Despite a compact size and softside design , the Calpak Luka Soft-sided Mini Carry-on impressed us in pretty much every category, ultimately snagging the top spot on the list of underseat luggage we tested. After putting it through a series of tests, we discovered the bag is much deeper and more spacious than we thought — in fact, we were effortlessly able to pack two outfits, two toiletry bags , a pair of sneakers, a laptop, and a charger inside. It also boasts three small interior pockets, a laptop sleeve, a small exterior pocket, and an accordion-style front pocket for easy access to your items, making the mini spinner an organized traveler's dream.

When it came to construction, we were equally blown away. Even when packed full, it's incredibly light and wheels easily on four wheels over surfaces of all types. We tossed the bag around and hit with a baseball bat to test its durability, and while the handle did pop open on one particularly rough toss, it never scuffed or scratched and the items inside remained intact. It doesn't maneuver quite as easily on two wheels as it does on all four, but it's lightweight, and you can even use the luggage sleeve to slide it over the handle of a larger suitcase. To top it all off, every zipper on this bag ran smoothly for us, and it fit perfectly under an airplane seat. We tested it out in the rose quartz hue, but we also love it in rouge, peony, and oatmeal.

The Details: 16 x 14.25 x 9 inches | 5.38 pounds | 23.2-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Water-resistant polyester

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Most Versatile

Samsonite spinner underseater.

The bag has plenty of storage for small and larger items, making it a versatile option for travel.

It was a tight fit under the seat.

Whether you’re traveling by train , airplane, or car, the Samsonite Spinner Underseater with USB Port is a great choice for a versatile and functional underseat bag. We loved how easy it was to  pack a laptop and clothing for a weekend trip. The suitcase has one main compartment, and the U-shaped opening folds out to reveal a mesh zipper pocket. Between the large compartment and the opening flap, there is a padded laptop sleeve that can fit laptops up to 13.3 inches. Since the suitcase has one large compartment, you can fit bulkier items like shoes or a blazer if you’re traveling for work. We thought the exterior pockets on the front and side were ideal for storing headphones or a tablet, and the attached USB port is a game-changer for charging your phone while traveling. The suitcase rolled smoothly and was comfortable to carry with the top handle.

The Details: 16.5 x 13 x 9.5 inches | 6.17 pounds | 36-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Polyester

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Most Stylish

Delsey paris chatelet air 2.0 underseater.

It has a beautiful design that matches other Delsey luggage and accessories.

It's a tight fit under standard seats, and may not fit under smaller seats.

We love Delsey for its stylish matching suitcases and accessories, and this elegant underseater was no exception. It has 20 liters of capacity, so it fit everything on our packing list easily. It has one main compartment and an external front pocket that is large and padded enough to fit laptops and other tech items. We love the interior snaps that allow you to partially open the suitcase (so it opens like a mouth when upright), but then you can unsnap the panel to fully open flat to pack. It also includes cinch pockets inside so you can individually pack shoes, water bottles, or toiletry bottles.

The exterior is made out of fairly soft recycled polyester, so it does scuff a bit during transit, and the lighter colorways are prone to staining. But the bag is so small and lightweight, the two wheels glide smoothly, and it's easy to carry. When packed full, it can be a tight fit under most airplane seats, but it will certainly fit in overhead bins and under more spacious airplane seats. You can also get Delsey's matching carry-ons , checked bags , or even a train case .

The Details: 16.5 x 15.75 x 8.25 inches | 5.97 pounds | 20-liter capacity | 2 wheels | Polyester

Most Spacious

Rockland underseater luggage.

It has one large compartment that’s perfect for fitting bulky clothes like shoes and jeans. 

The bag may be too large for some underseat spaces, depending on the aircraft and your seat position.

If you’re looking for a roomy piece of luggage that fits under most airplane seats, then the Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-on Luggage is your best option. In testing, we were impressed with how easy it was to pack two days’ worth of outfits, including two pairs of pants, three T-shirts, a sweatshirt, and a pair of heels. After regularly using the bag for six months, this is our new go-to weekend bag as it has plenty of space for all our needs.

The bag has a U-shaped opening with a large main compartment for clothing items, and the opening flap has several mesh and zippered pockets for storing smaller items. We liked how organized the suitcase was thanks to plenty of interior compartments, two mesh water bottle pockets, and two zippered front pockets. The bigger front pocket is tablet-sized but can’t fit a laptop, so you'll need to store your laptop in the main compartment. The roller bag easily fit under the seat during our test, but the ample space inside the suitcase comes with a risk of overstuffing and not being able to slide it in front of your feet.

During our maneuverability assessment, we found the inline wheels to be difficult to turn on tight corners, but the bag rolled smoothly when we pulled it behind us. Additionally, the handle was slightly difficult to pull up to the preferred height of shorter team members. Still, we think the superior organization and impressively plentiful space make this underseat luggage well worth an investment, especially if it’s on sale. 

The Details: 16 x 11.5 x 8 inches | 4.56 pounds | 2 wheels | Polyester

Best Organization

Kenneth cole reaction underseater spinner.

It has zippered compartments on the front and sides to easily access your most needed items.

The front tends to bulge outward when the bag is packed full.

This cute and convenient bag comfortably fits everything you'd need for a quick weekend trip, including your shoes and toiletry kit. It has an extendable handle as well as regular bag handles, so you have the convenient option to roll or carry it. The bag also has straps on the inside to keep your items in place during transit.

Two zippered extenders leave room for expansion, although you may have a harder time fitting the bag under your seat when fully extended. Inside, you can keep all of your item organized in two interior stretch pockets and an interior zippered pocket; outside, there's an exterior pocket on the front and one on each side of the bag to keep all of your most needed valuables within reach. This bag moves smoothly across the floor and its four wheels make for easy maneuverability around corners.

The Details: 17 x 13 x 9 inches | 5.6 pounds | 34-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Chevron Quilted Polyester-Twill

Best Hardside

Calpak hue mini carry-on luggage.

It provides excellent organization and protection with a laptop sleeve, zippered interior pockets, and pouches. 

The bag's lock instructions were not included and aren't available online.

The Calpak Hue Mini Carry-on Luggage is both functional and stylish. The bag fit perfectly under the airplane seat we recreated, and although it’s a hardside bag, we think it has enough give to be able to squeeze it under a tight seat. In testing, the bag provided excellent organization, with one side dedicated to mesh pockets and a laptop sleeve while the other side was an open compartment for shoes and clothes. We fit two pairs of pants, a bomber jacket, flip-flops, and three shirts inside the underseater without issues.

The one downside to the Mini Hue Carry-on is that there are no pockets on the outside of the suitcase. If you need anything during your flight like a laptop or chargers, we recommend pulling those out ahead of take-off since it might be difficult to open the suitcase mid-flight, especially if you are using the dial lock on its side. The four-wheeled rolling bag made up for this access pitfall during a series of tests involving a mini obstacle course: it glided smoothly and felt sturdy, and we love that the Mini Hue handled hurdles like a breeze due to its four 360-degree spinner wheels. This sleek hardside suitcase has a clamshell opening and comes in 10 colors.

The Details: 16 x 13.5 x 8 inches | 6.05 pounds | 31-liter capacity | 4 spinner wheels | Polycarbonate

Best Design

Steve madden underseat wheeled bag.

It has fully-lined interior and exterior compartments, convenient for storing toiletries and accessories.

It’s smaller than the average underseat luggage and might not work for bulkier clothes like winter jackets. 

Functional and practical for weekend trips, this Steve Madden Underseat delivers an elegant look and much, much more. The bag has a U-shaped opening that unfolds outward to reveal two clear-plastic-lined, zippered pockets and one large zippered pocket. The interior pockets are great for easily finding items in the bag and staying organized. There are also zippered pockets on the front, back, and sides of the suitcase, creating ample storage space for small items like toiletries, jewelry, or phone chargers. After six months of use, this bag still looks brand new with no sign of wear and tear.

This bag is a bit smaller than the average underseat luggage, so it may not be ideal for long trips. In addition, the bag fit under the seat with slight difficulty initially due to the zippers and dangling accessories getting caught, but when we flipped it onto the flatter side, it slid under with greater ease. We were impressed that despite being packed full of clothes, the bag felt lightweight when we pushed and pulled it through our obstacle course, and the two wheels glided smoothly. 

The Details: 14.5 x 8 x 13.5 inches | 4.8 pounds | 5-liter capacity | 2 wheels

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Laptop Compartment

Hartmann herringbone deluxe underseater.

It's features an innovative protective laptop case and extreme durability.

It has some trouble on uneven surfaces.

If you often travel with a laptop or tablet and don't trust any old laptop sleeve to keep your tech safe, we recommend giving the Hartmann Herringbone Deluxe Underseater a try. The wheeled luggage is crafted with a unique laptop case that is suspended in the middle of the main compartment by elastic straps — and we were absolutely mesmerized by it while testing it in our lab. The suspension prevents your laptop from touching the sides of the bag when empty, and when full, the laptop case acts as a divider and becomes further cushioned by the items packed around it.

Beyond the innovative laptop compartment, we were also impressed with this underseater's durability. We pushed it off a counter multiple times, and even after skidding across the floor after one push, it suffered no damage at all. All zippers on the Herringbone ran smoothly, though we did have slight difficulty closing some of them when the bag was stuffed to the brim. Through out tests, we discovered the spinner rolls smoothly over flat surfaces but has a little trouble with uneven ground, so we wouldn't recommend it for heavy use over cobblestone sidewalks.

The Details: 18.5 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches | 7.16 pounds | 4 wheels | Polyester Herringbone

Travelpro x Travel + Leisure UnderSeat Tote

The bag has tote bag handles, a detachable shoulder strap, and a rear strap for placing it on a suitcase to carry. 

There wasn’t enough room for a laptop after placing two days' worth of clothes in the bag.

For those in search of a bag that doesn’t have wheels to worry about fitting under a seat, the Travelpro x Travel + Leisure Underseat Tote is a great option that you can sling over your shoulder or place on a suitcase. During our test, the bag fit perfectly under the seat, however, after placing two days’ worth of clothes inside, there wasn’t enough room for a laptop. If the bag isn’t filled to capacity, there is a laptop sleeve in the back for safely storing a computer. The zippered top opens up to one main compartment that has a buttoned sleeve and zippered pocket. You can easily store phones and passports in a small pocket on the front of the bag.

After regularly using the bag for six months, including on international trips, we still love the capacity, quality, and overall look of this underseat bag. We especially liked having the option to carry the bag either as a tote or with the detachable shoulder strap. If you’re also traveling with a wheeled carry-on suitcase, you can use the tote bag's rear strap to slide it over the handle of your suitcase instead. While the price point is on the higher end, we think the versatility and sleek design of this tote bag will ensure you’ll get more than your money’s worth. 

The Details: 17 x 9.5 x 9 inches | 2.26 pounds | 22-liter capacity

Other Underseat Luggage We Liked

A few bags came close to making our list for the best underseat luggage, but fell short during testing.

Nomad Lane Bento Bag V 3.0 : This underseat tote bag had excellent organization for small items like toiletries, but it likely wouldn’t fit bulky clothes and is better suited for an overnight trip. 

Verage Spinner Carry-on Underseat Luggage with USB Port : Although the bag glided smoothly when we pushed it, it didn’t fit under the plane seat and would make a good weekend bag for train or car trips instead.

We tested 21 pieces of underseat luggage from popular luggage brands like Samsonite, Tumi, Delsey, and more. We compared the bags after testing capacity, design, functionality, and maneuverability, which helped us determine the overall value of the underseat luggage. 

We started by measuring each bag by length, width, and height as well as recording the weight. To judge the design, we took into consideration the organization of each bag, including the main compartments, as well as the front, side, and back pockets. To test the capacity of each bag, we packed a weekend’s worth of clothes which included two pairs of pants, two shirts, a pair of shoes, a toiletry bag, and a laptop. We noted if the bags could fit the clothes and laptop with ease and if there was room left over or if items got left out because there wasn’t enough space. 

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

After packing the bags, we wheeled or carried them through an obstacle course to see how well they rolled when pushed and pulled, or how comfortable the tote bags were to carry around tight corners. We quickly walked through the obstacle course to simulate a busy airport where travelers might be rushing to get to their flights and looked for resistance in the wheels, flimsiness in the handle, and comfort of the handles or shoulder strap. We also wheeled the bags over different types of flooring to see how smooth the wheels felt.

Next, utilized our mock airplane set (complete with to-scale dimensions) to test how luggage would actually perform on a flight. We placed the bags under the airplane seats and in the overhead bins to see if they fit and how easy or difficult it was to position them for a flight. After completing the tests, we considered whether the performance of the underseat luggage lived up to, fell short of, or exceeded expectations set by their price points to determine the overall value of the bags. Our editors long-term tested each underseater on real-world travels for an additional six months to make sure they held up over time.

Tips for Buying Underseat Luggage

Check the bag size.

Before you buy underseat luggage, you’ll want to check the dimensions of the bag usually listed in the product description. We learned from testing that, although a bag might say it’s airline-approved, it’s a good idea to double-check an airline’s underseat dimensions, as they vary. While airlines have different underseat dimensions, the average size of an airplane seat is 16 x 14 x 9 inches — the dimensions we used to test each bag. Most underseat bags will have similar measurements, but the suitcase’s ultimate size may depend on how full it is. If you really are looking for a small-capacity personal item option to combine with a cabin bag, a more compact weekender or duffel bag may fit the bill.

Consider the difference between wheeled and tote bags

If you’re a frequent flier, an underseat bag with two or four wheels could be a better fit for navigating busy airports. Tote bags are generally lighter since they don’t have wheels, which could be a better option for weekend trips by car or train where space isn’t as limited as an airplane. We tested tote bags and wheeled bags that came with rear straps for securely attaching to a bigger suitcase to make carrying the underseater a breeze, especially through airports. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you're using underseat luggage as your primary suitcase, you'll want to minimize your packing list to just the basics: a small toiletry bag, a compression packing cube that will fit your wardrobe and cut down on bulk, and any necessary can't-do-without electronics and accessories. Consider a wardrobe of basic, neutral pieces that you can mix and match throughout your trip.

For our tests, we tested capacity by fitting two days’ worth of clothes, a laptop, and a toiletry bag into each suitcase. Generally, an underseat bag can’t fit much more than a weekend’s worth of clothes, but it varies by the types of clothes or electronics you bring.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is an associate commerce editor at Travel + Leisure where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best underseat luggage based on a series of tests completed in our T+L lab.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Related Articles

The 10 Best Travel Car Seats In 2024 (For Airplanes & Transfers)

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Our process involves independent research, testing (by using it whilst we travel), reviewing, and recommending the best products. Click here  to learn more.

It can be so tricky to find car seats for airplanes.  

Deciding which car seat is in actual fact the  best travel car seat  can be even more challenging.

Did you know that you can only use a portable car seat for travel on an airplane if it is has been FAA certified?

Now take into consideration that we need to find the best lightweight car seat for travel so we can easily port it around and lastly that we also need to find a car seat that is slim enough to fit on the narrow airplane seats.

It is no easy feat to find to find the best car seat for flying, and that fits all of those criteria!

Don’t have time to go through the entire list?

THE BEST CONVERTIBLE LIGHT CAR SEAT FOR TRAVEL

Our pick: Safety First Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat  

• It is lightweight
• Slim design for airplane seats
• Suitable for weights from 5 - 65 lbs

See the Safety First Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat for travel reviews

Below you will find a list of best airplane car seats for 2024.

We also share some food for thought about whether you actually need a car seat as well as ideas on how to make it easier to actually travel with the car seat.  

PS.   Here is our guide to the best baby travel gear and the best travel gear for toddlers .  

Best Car Seat for Travel Guide & Top 10 Compact Travel Car Seat Reviews

In this airplane car seat buying guide, we suggest you check out our comparison chart of the best car seat for air travel and then read our portable baby car seat reviews of the seats that best suit your requirements.  

The below reviews are of the best convertible travel car seats, so if you are shopping for either:

• the best travel car seat for 1 year old, 
• best travel car seat for 2 year old,
• best travel car seat for 3 year old or
• the best travel car seat for 4 year old, 

we got you covered!

Click Here to See Our Pick for the B est Convertible Car Seat for Travel

FAA Approved Car Seats Comparison Chart

Below is a helpful airline approved car seat list of all the top rated car seats for travel, which are mentioned in this article.

You can then read my reviews below featuring the best car seat for airplane travel that 2024 has to offer.

Best Travel Car Seats Sorted by Age

We also thought it might be helpful to have a FAA child seat chart that is sorted by age.

Let's take a look at some options of the best travel infant car seat for babies from birth to 1 year of age  and travel toddler car seats options that are perfect for little ones from 1 - 4 years of age.

Also, let us show you our recommendation for a car seat for travel on airplane for 3 - 4+ year old.

Before you choose which is the best car seat for plane use, we do recommend that you read through all of the reviews to get a clearer picture.

Top 10 Best Travel Car Seat Reviews

Below you will find the list of the best FAA approved car seats and best FAA approved convertible car seats. We will have a close look at the top air travel car seats.  

I will outline the features, the pros and cons of each in detailed travel car seat reviews, which should help you choose the best travel car seat 2024 has on offer for you. 

1. Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It is only 18" in width - so it fits nicely on plane seats. The arm rests are low so we could use the plane tray table for eating.

Important to Note: For a car seat to be light, it has to compromise on comfort and quality, so we only keep this seat for travel purposes but have a better seat for when we are home.

This is one of the best selling travel baby car seat because you can use it straight from birth all way through to 65 lb.

It is cheap enough to take on a trip without worrying if it got dirty or banged up a bit. 

It is lightweight (14 lb) and slim (18"), but still offers some cushioning for little babies.

Tip: There are also 2 removable cup holders on each side, which will save more space and make it more compact. 

This safe travel car seat is certified for aircraft use in both the rear- and forward-facing positions

Lightweight

The Safety 1st car seat might not be the lightest car seat on our list (the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is), but it is still light enough at 14 lbs to carry with ease and offers more cushioning in comparison to the NEXT car seat.

It is important that your little one is comfortable which is why we prefer this car seat.

Convertible Car Seat

The seat is convertible and has a weight range of 5lb to 40lb when using rear-facing and a weight limit of 22lb to 65lb for forward-facing position.

Some Negatives

Whilst you can use this seat from 5 lb, we prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for infants. The straps are a bit hard to adjust and the padding slips around a bit.

Keep in mind this is a basic car seat (which is great as you won't mind if it gets knocked about on a trip), but a newborn baby, I prefer to spend more and get more protection for their necks.

Overall Opinion

The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Car Seat is one of the best cheap baby car seats for travel.  It is lightweight and slim enough to fit on airplane seats.

It has a wide weight limit so that you can use the seat for many years.

The seat is definitely one of the best car seat for traveling on an airplane and, in our opinion it is one of the best car seat for airplane 2024 options.

This is our pick for the best cheap car seat for travel and/or the best convertible car seat for air travel.

2.   Cosco MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It’s light weight and you can use it in a plane rear facing and front facing. 

Important to Note: It could have more padding where the airplane buckle goes.

This travel-friendly car seat is a lightweight car seat for travel that is also a FAA certified car seat. 

It has high safety ratings and it a bit taller in comparison to other cheap car seats, which means that the seat will last that bit longer before your little one hits the height limit.

It is FAA-Approved and can be used only on forward-facing positions on the plane.

The car seat is lovely and light at 12.76 lbs, which is the ideal weight for a car seat for aircraft use.

The seat is convertible and has a weight range of 5lb to 40lb when using rear-facing and a weight limit of 22lb to 65lb for the forward-facing position.

Whilst you can use this seat from 5 lb, we prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for babies and infants as it offers more support and protection for their necks.

The Cosco MightFit DX 65 Car Seat is a brilliant buy for older kids. The seat is cheap as chips and lightweight.

It is a great option as a portable car seat for 3 and 4 year old's, as the seat is nice and roomy.

It is also a fabulous car seat for home-use. You can fit 3 of these car seats in most cars, which is brilliant!

We love this car seat and I'm sure you will love it too.

3. WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It folds! This is the narrowest and lightest car seat on our list.

Important to Note: This seat is so innovative, but it comes at a premium price.

Looking for a travel car seat for 2 years and up to 4 year old kids? This is a fabulous seat with extra room for growing kids. 

The WAYB Pico travel car seat is super lightweight (8 lb) and lovely and slim (14.5"). It is such a great car seat that I would even recommend it for the car at home as well. 

The car seat is lovely and light at 8 lbs, which is the ideal weight for a car seat for aircraft use.

Slim Design

The baby travel car seat is lovely and slim and at 14.5" it should fit comfortably on most airplane seats.

When folded the Pico car seat can fit into overhead bins and is easily carried while walking through the airport or to-and-from the car! 

Forward-Facing ONLY

Because this seat is designed for older kids, you can only use it in the forward-facing position and it doesn't recline.

It is suitable for toddlers and kids older than 2 with a weight range of 22 - 50 lbs. It is roomy and lovely and tall for kids with height up to 45".

The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is a brilliant buy for older kids.

The seat is our most expensive travel car seat however if you are looking for a super lightweight and lovely slim travel car seat this is a great option for 2 - 4 year old's.

It is also a fabulous car seat for home-use and due to it's lightweight you can easily move it from car to car and it will fit in most cars, which is brilliant!

Tip:  Check out our blog post on best portable car seat for 2 year old here.

4. Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat Review

The Evenflo Sonus 65 is ideal for use as a travel seat on the airplane. It is a FAA approved child restraint seat, it is lightweight (only 11.5 lbs.), and has a perfect width of around 19".

The Sonus is a lovely light 11 lbs. It is the second lightest car seat on our list and is the perfect seat to cart through an airport, you might even get away with carrying it if you have to.

The width of the car seat is 19", which means that the seat should fit comfortably on all plane seats, although you might have to lift the arm rests on the very narrow 16.5" seats.

Convertible

The seat can be used in rear-facing position from 5 – 40 lbs. and in the forward-facing position from 22 – 65 lbs.

You can find out how to install this seat in rear- and forward-facing positions on the plane in the manual here . 

The Sonus 65 is a great convertible lightweight travel car seat.

It is suitable for babies and toddlers from 5 to 65 lbs. and offers 6 harness positions for a better fit. The seat is lightweight and slim.

We also love that the seat features a revolutionary air flow ventilation system that provides a temperature-regulated, which means that your little one will be comfortable no matter what the season or temperature is of your destination.

5. Graco Contender Slim Convertible Travel Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It is light and compact. It is also a bit more comfy in comparison to the seats listed above.

Important to Note: If you need to use the seat in rear-facing, it will mostly likely be a very snug fit (and it might not even fit). It is better in forward-facing.

This Graco travel car seat is a great portable car seat that is FAA approved with a good safety ranking.  

Despite it having a fixed base it is still lightweight (16 lbs.).  

It is slightly more expensive than many of the other car seats on our list, but it is more cushioned and comfy.

The Graco Contender Slim Convertible car seat is a lovely lightweight car seat despite the fixed base, weighing in at only 16 lbs.  

It is slightly heavier than other car seats so we do recommend you invest in a car seat carrier.  

The Graco car seat is compatible with the Baby Trend Snap N Go car seat carrier.

It is a convertible car seat which means that you can use it in rear-facing to forward-facing positions.

It has a rear-facing weight limit of 40 lbs. and a forward-facing weight limit of 65 lbs.  

The car seat is a bit more pricey in comparison to the cheap infant car seats such as Cosco, Evenflo and Safety 1st.

It also has a lower height (24.75") in comparison to Safety 1st (29.75"), which means that your little one might grow out of it before they hit the weight requirements.  

As with many other car seats on the list, it can be tricky to install on planes.

The Graco Contender Slim is a great seller due to being able to use it from infants up to toddlers. 

If you don't mind the slightly higher price tag, then this might be, in our opinion, the best travel convertible car seat for you.

It ranks high on our list as one of the best travel convertible car seat 2024 options, after all.

6.   Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Car Seat Review

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a great portable car seat FAA approved and with a good safety ranking.  

It is slightly more expensive than many of the other car seats on our list, but it offers better comfort from the cushion and padding.

The Graco SlimFit slim design makes the seat 10% slimmer despite the dual integrated cup holders.

It is a convertible car seat which means that you can use it in rear-facing to forward-facing positions. It is also used as a high-back booster seat.

It has a rear-facing weight limit of 40 lbs, and a forward-facing weight limit of 65 lbs. When used as a booster seat it has a weight limit of 100 lbs. 

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a great car seat for air travel.  

Although it is more expensive than the other car seats we have recommended, this car seat will provide value for money as you can use it from infants right up to the booster seat stage for your child. 

It is also a great car seat to use in your car at home.

7. Graco TriRide 3-in-1 Car Seat Review

The Graco TriRide 3-in-1 car seat is not the best lightweight car seat for travel. It is a bit on the thicker and heavier side, but it is still an FAA certified car seat. 

This car seat weighs just over 17 lbs (it is not the lightest car seat on our list!) which means that you should consider using the following to carry it with you through the airport.

We still do recommend that you put it in a  car seat backpack  or a car seat roller like the  Baby Trend Snap N Go to make life easier.

Thicker Design

The Graco TriRide is not the slimmest with a width of 19" compared to other car seats we have recommended.  

It will still fit through the security scanners and it should still fit on most airplane seats with the armrest up. 

Please do check with the airlines to make sure that the size of this seat is allowed before you go.

Rear-Facing

The Graco TriRide car seat is a travel convertible car seat, which means that you can use this car seat in the rear-facing position for babies up to 40 lbs. and forward facing for little ones up to 65lbs. 

When using the booster seat option, the seat can take a wight limit of up to 100lbs.

It is important to note that this seat can only be installed on the plane in the forward-facing position.

The Graco TriRide 3-in-1 is a very popular travel car seat because it offers value for money through the various weights and stages so can be used for a long time, but it also has high safety ratings.

The car seat is convertible and will last your bubs up until 100 lbs.  

8.   Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Travel Car Seat Review

The Evenflo Tribute LX is a favorite because it is such an incredibly lightweight infant car seat.

The Evenflo Tribute LX is the one of the lightest car seats on our list. It is compact and weighs only 12 lbs. which is pretty incredible!

The seat has been designed to fit on plane seats. It measures 22" so you might have to have the arm rest up on smaller seat planes.  

I would also suggest you check the width of the bulkhead seats as they tend to be slightly more narrow than normal seats.

This car seat is convertible which means that it is suitable for newborns up to a weight of 30 lb when used in the rear facing position.

It has a weight limit of up to 40 lbs for forward facing.

The Evenflo Car Seat is a great car seat for travel. It is compact and lightweight and at a width of 22" it will fit on most seats with the arms rests down.  

The seat will fit through the baggage security scanners. A great car seat with high safety ratings! 

Find information on how to install this seat in rear- and forward-facing positions on the aircaft in the manual here.

9. Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Review

If you have a little baby, the best way to travel is with a capsule. Little babies sleep a lot and the last thing we want to do is to disturb their sleep by having to wake them up when we need to transport the seat.

Capsules are fabulous because you can leave your baby sleeping and simply grab the handle to carry baby through the airport.

Another fabulous things about this specific capsule is that it has the silent shade canopy which will help to block off the harsh plane lighting.

The capsule is suitable for infants from 4 - 35 lbs.

We also highly recommend that you can get the stroller frame that accompanies this capsule.

This travel system is ultra-lightweight at 16 lbs and is the perfect travel accessory for the capsule.

It also folds up great which is fabulous as it won't take up loads of room in your boot when you have to fit other luggage as well.

Grab the Graco SnugRider 3 Elite Car Seat Carrier here.

The capsule is lovely and lightweight at 10 lb. Important to note that you cannot use the base of the capsule on the plane (this is across the board with all capsules, not just this brand).

So best to pop the base in the overhead locker.

This capsule measures at 15.5 inches in width, which means that it definitely fit on all airplane seats.

Infant Travel Car Capsule

The Graco SnugRide is great for newborns babies up until 35 lbs.

It is a capsule style infant travel car seat which means that you can easily cary it around with the adjustable carry handle.

We absolutely love this baby capsule with the combination of the Graco stroller frame.

Both pieces are affordable, lightweight and small in size, which makes it perfect for vacations with your baby.

10. Graco Size4Me 65 Convertible Car Seat Review

The Graco Size4Me is a great and lovely cushioned seat for travel. T

he Graco car seat is FAA approved and whilst many people assume you can't travel with it due to its widest width being 22", you can actually still fit it on most plane seats with the arm rests down due to the narrow base and the way it is shaped.

The car seat is heavier than many other car seats on our list.  

It weighs 19 lbs. so do ensure you have a car seat trolley or car seat backpack to port it around the airport.

Whilst the seat measures at 22" at the widest point, it does have a narrow base.

Which means that the seat should fit beautifully (with the arm rests down) on the larger plane seats, but you will most likely have to fly with the arm rest up on the slimmer seats.

This car seat is great for 4-40 lbs babies in rear-facing position and 20-65 lbs. in forward-facing position. Which makes it a great travel toddler car seat.

Be aware that it is on the heavier side, so don't try to carry it around the airport.  

Due the width, you might also have to lift it up over the seats when you walk down the aisle in the plane (although friends have reported that it does fit down the aisle of some planes).

The Graco Size4Me 65 is a great portable toddler car seat to take along on trips. It fits beautifully on seats due to its narrow base and shape.

It is also really easy to install and adjust.

Important to note that it is slightly on the heavier side, but if you prefer a seat that is cushioned and super cozy for your baby, then we do recommend the Graco Car Seat.

Best Car Seat Travel Cart and Transporters for Airports

No matter how light the car seat is, I still suggest that you invest in either a car seat travel stroller or a backpack car seat bag to get around the airport.

Even with a trolley it might be slightly challenging to get your baby, luggage and car seat to the plane. Here are some great car seat cart options:

1. Britax Car Seat Travel Cart

The Britax Travel Cart is, in our opinion, one of the most popular travel carts for Britax car seat owners.  

It is a great car seat roller cart that allows seats to attach effortlessly using the car seat latch connectors.

The one-hand telescoping handle is great as it adjusts to fit any height. It will fold down compact enough to fit into most airplane overhead compartments.

The Britax car seat travel cart will work with all Britax convertibles and harnessed booster seats, as well as with most other brands.

The cart is a lot heavier (20.8 pounds) in comparison to the Go-Go Babyz cart (5 pounds) down below.

>>> Check pricing of this cart here .  

2. Go-Go Babyz Kidz Travelmate

The Go-Go Babyz Car Seat Luggage Cart is a great cart for USA car seats.

It works with both infant travel car seats as well as toddler convertible car seats. It has an additional fold down plate that you can use for larger car seats.

You can adjust the handle, which is great as you can make it shorter when stored and lengthen it out to make it easier to push (it has 4 positions).

It has wide-set 3" roller blade wheels which makes it easy to push along in the airport.

The Travelmate can be checked with your baggage, rolled to gate and checked, or rolled all the way on the plane to be used in flight or stored in the overhead compartment.

Folds to 28 x 17 x 5 inches. Weighs 5 lbs.

3. BRICA Roll ‘n Go Car Seat Transporter

The Brica Sar Seat Roller Cart is great as it fits most major brands of convertible and forward-facing car seats.

The best travel carseat stroller must have a lightweight design.  

It has fold flat wheels as well as an adjustable telescopic handle which allows the cart to fold up in order to fit in an overhead locked on the plane.

Weighing just 5 pounds, this transporter folds flat (2-1/2 inches thick) for easy storage.

4. Car Seat Travel Accessory

For a small alternative, you can consider this car seat travel strap. Simply connect your car seat to your rolling carry-on suitcase and off you go.

Easy, although I would probably suggest you only use this option for the lightweight car seats.

Best Car Seat Travel Bag, Carts, Transporters and Protective Covers for Travel

I hope you managed to find a car seat for your next trip from our FAA approved car seats list, the next step is trying to figure out how to transport the car seat around the airport.

If you wish to check in your car seat, we highly recommend you purchase one of these top car seat bags for air travel.  

Some airlines might give you a thin plastic car seat cover for travel, but they offer no protective.  

The first time we traveled with our car seat, it got damaged so we never go without a protective car seat cover for travel now.

Here are some of the best infant car seat travel bags that we can recommend:

1. JL Childress Padded Car Seat Travel Bag

The JL car seat travel bag is a great option. It is durable and comes with a lifetime warranty.  It is adjustable, has padded backpack straps and a lifting handle.

The interior of the travel car seat bag is padded.  It has dual and lockable zipper openings and an ID card pocket to pop all your details.

>>> Check pricing of this bag here .  

2. Flightjoy Travel bag  

The Flightjoy Car Seat Bag for Travel is another great option.  It has adjustable straps. The material is heavy duty, durable and will last.  It is compatible with most baby car seats.

These infant car seat travel bags are also airline approved so you can carry it through the airport terminal gates when you want to use the seat on the airplane itself.

3. Britax Car Seat Travel Bag

The Britax Car Seat Airplane Bag is great for Britax car seats. The brilliant thing about this bag is that it has built-in wheels.

The car travel bag is light and has several straps to make it easy to carry. It is waterproof and comes at a pretty affordable price tag.

4. Jeep Car Seat Travel Bag

The Jeep Airplane Car Seat Bag is a great universal car seat travel bag.  It is nice and large in size to fit even the bulkiest of seats.  

It has shoulder straps and made from quality durable fabric.  it is also waterproof and lightweight.

You can also choose to invest in the Jeep car seat travel bag with wheels if you prefer.

5. JL Gate Check Car Seat Bag

After a simple, no-frills car seat gate check bag that will get the job done?  Then the JL Childress Car Seat Check Bag is for you.

It’s lightweight and easy to carry. It is large enough to fit most car seats.  Simple, but effective and affordable.

Does My Child Need a Car Seat on an Airplane?

Ultimately the answer to this question comes down to safety and how important your baby or toddler's safety is to you.

The American FAA does strongly recommended that you use an approved child restraint device when travelling with infants less than 2-years old.

Ultimately car seats are the safest and most comfortable way for infants to travel on a plane.

Plus a toddler travel car seat for airplane use really comes in handy as your child know that they are expected to stay put in the seat.

But, in saying all of that, you are not legally required to use a car seat on the plane, so it does come down to your own decision.

Of course, you would also need to purchase an additional seat in order to use the car seat on as well, so keep that in mind.

A convertible car seat on airplane can be an easy option, allowing for use both rear and forward facing. We prefer a convertible travel car seat over an infant travel car seat. 

You will also need to ensure that the car seat has FAA approval.  Not every car seat can be used on the plane!

More information and the best infant car seat for travel below.

FAA Baby and Toddler Car Seat Regulations for Airplanes

In order to be allowed to use your car seat on the plane, it must be FAA approved. How do you find out if your car seat is FAA approved?  

Have a look at the sticker on the side of the seat and see if it says “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraf t .”

If you are located in Australia , the car seat must be approved to Australian Standards AS/NZS 1754. So make sure your seat has an AS/NZS 1754 approved safety label.

FAA Requirements

For a child less than 40 lbs. : Secure your child in an FAA approved car seat for the duration of the flight.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This would typically be in the rear-facing position.

For a child 22lbs – 44 lbs. : For babies and toddler at this age, you could either use an approved car seat or you could choose to secure them in the airplane seat in an  Airplane Child Safety Harness .

The harness restraint is the only FAA approved child airplane harness system that is allowed to be used during takeoff, landing as well as in flight. 

More about this device below.

More than 40 pounds: Kids can use an airplane seat belt, however many parents typically keep their child in a car seat till around 4 years.

FAA-Approved Child Harness Device

The Airplane Harness Child Safety Device is the only FAA approved harness restraint for children weighing between 22 and 44 lbs (kids 1-year and older).

The benefits of a this harness is of course that it is small and portable enough to carry in your carry-on bags.  

The negatives are that your child will be required to sit up pretty straight on the airplane seats and the harness is really uncomfortable to sleep in.

So we do still prefer a toddler portable travel car seat as they are more comfy for kids.

>>>Learn more about this FAA approved child restraint or check out the airplane harness here .

You can find a list of 7 other great car seat alternatives for travel here.

Travel Car Seat Buyers Guide

Things that you should look out for when purchasing a car seat for travel use.

1. Weight of Seat

Ultimately the best car seats for travel should be lightweight, compact and portable. The weight of the seat is important for your own sanity.

We prefer a car seat that is around 10 lbs. (Slightly over is still okay).  

You will be required to lift the car seat in and out of the car, on to trolleys, port it around the airport as well as potentially have to lift it over peoples heads on the plane to carry it down the aisle. Stick to a lightweight car seat. Trust me!

2. Width of Seat

The width of the seat is another important consideration.  Just because the seat has FAA approval does not mean that it will fit on the plane seat.  

Plane seats can be anywhere from around 16" to 22". Most are around the 17 or 18" mark.  

You can check to see if your plane is list on the SeatGuru seat chart table to see what size your seat will be ahead of time.  

We find that child care seats around 18" or under fit on all airplane seats. Although you might have to lift the armrest on the 16" seat planes.

Another important consideration with slim designs is so that the seat will fit through the security scanner.

If the seat won't fit, the will need to hand inspect the seat and it would slow down the whole checking in process.

3. FAA Approval

As mentioned above, you will need to ensure that you purchase a FAA approved infant car seats or FAA approved toddler car seats.  

You can do this by checking the sticker on the side for this saying: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraf t .”

3.  Convertibility

When you are shopping for the best car seat for international travel, make sure to get the best convertible car seat for travel option there is.

Buying a convertible car seat means that you will save money in the long run.

Convertible travel car seats can accommodate your child from infant to toddler with ease, from approximately 5 lbs. to 65 lbs. comfortably. 

Most of our seats on our list are convertible airline approved car seats.

With that in mind, please make sure to check out the convertibility features carefully and choose the travel car seat that suits you best.

Tips for using a Car Seat on an Airplane

Here is a list of some tips to make life easier when it comes to using your car seat on an airplane.

1.  Booking Seats

Important to note that you will need to use the car seat in a seat that won't block anyone's exit, so for example a window seat.

You will only get away with using your car seat in the bulkhead seats if your car seat is really narrow. Bulkhead seats have fixed armrests, thus reducing the amount of width available for a car seat.  

You won't be allowed to use the seat in exit rows or where it could block anyone's exit path.

2. Rear-Facing Car Seats

Another consideration is that if you use a rear-facing seat, the person in front of the seat might not be able to recline at all. So consider booking one parent to the right of your baby and one in front. 

3.  Notify the Airline of your Intent to use a Car Seat

Do take the time to make a call to the airline in advance to notify them that you intend to travel with car seat.

As extra precaution we also recommend that you request to have this noted to your booking and also ask for written confirmation of approval that you can bring out and take with you on the plane.

4.  Infant Capsule Seats with a Base

Another tip that might be useful is that the base of the capsule style infant travel car seats are NOT FAA approved and you would need to check-in your base or pop it in the overhead compartment (if it fits). You can only use the seat part on the plane itself.

5. Booster Seats and Plane Travel

According to regulations, booster seats are not permitted on-board.

Some airlines might let you use the booster seat for flying, but it will need to be stored for take-off and landing, but realistically speaking they can tell you that you are not allowed to use it at all as there are NO FAA approved booster seats. Sorry!

If you use a combination car seat/booster car seat, you can use the car seat with the internal harness, but the booster seat is not acceptable because there is no shoulder belt to use with the seat.

Tip: Here are the top 10 best travel booster seats .

6. Getting Around the Airport with your Seat

Making your way through the airport with a child, luggage, and a car seat can be a challenge.

Fortunately there are ways to make your life easier and easier means better! Last thing you want on the airport is an added struggle.

You could choose to invest in either a car seat trolley or choose to carry it around on your back with a car seat backpack.

You will find different recommended products for both of these options at the bottom of the guide.

>>> Click here for more helpful information on using a car seat for plane travel .

Answers to FAQ

1. should i bring a car seat on the plane.

Flying with a car seat is your safest option when flying with a baby or toddler. This is because the seatbelts on airplanes are not designed for their little bodies.

The general recommendation is for children under 40lbs to fly in an FAA-approved restraint which can either be one of the car seats for planes or an airplane harness. 

The great thing about taking your car seat with you is that when you reach your destination you have a car seat to use when traveling either in the taxi or in your rental car.

Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free in addition to your baggage allowance.

This applies to toddler car seats and booster seats as well as baby car seats.

So yes, you should purchase one of the best car seats for airplanes so that you can keep your child safe.

2. Can you rent a car seat from an airline?

No you cannot rent a car seat from an airline. Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free in addition to your baggage allowance.

3. Are all car seats airline approved?

The short answer is no, not all car seats are airline approved. We always recommend that you check if your airline does allow car seats and if it does, it must normally be an FAA or TÜV-approved seat. 

This means it is approved for use in an aircraft. To find out if you have an airline-approved car seat, check to see if it is marked "For Use In Aircraft".

Most car seats will have a sticker near the base of the car seat and it should have in red letters that it is approved for airplane or aircraft use.

4. What car seats can be used on planes?

Nearly every car seat in the US is approved for aircraft use - but not all are. But it is important to purchase car seats approved for air travel, so make sure it says it is FAA approved to avoid any issues with the flight attendants.

The only car seat that you cannot use is a booster seat as you require a seat belt that goes over the shoulder and lap when securing. 

We suggest using a high-backed booster seat as they are allowed on planes if they have a 5-point harness. 

5. What is FAA approved?

FAA approval means that the car seat has passed a standard airworthiness test and therefore allows you to travel with the car seat on a plane.

6. How do you pack a car seat on an airplane?

If you are checking in your car seat when flying we would recommend that you pack the car seat in a car seat travel bag. This will help prevent your travel car seat from being spoiled or damaged.

If your airport does offer baggage wrapping service we would also recommend this as it will add an extra layer of protection to the car seat.

7. Is it better to gate check a car seat?

Gate checking your car seat might not be as convenient as checking your car seat with your baggage when you check in, however the advantage to checking your car seat reduces the time and handling of your car seat by someone else.

This means less opportunity for your car seat being lost or damaged!

8. How do I check my car seat at the airport?

When you check in you can check your car seat at the same time if you wish it to go into the hold with the usual luggage.

First you will need to get it checked and tagged at the counter where you get your tickets and then you will most likely have to drop it off to the oversized luggage counter.

When checking in your car seat to the hold this is not counted as a part of your baggage allowance and most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free.

This applies to toddler car seats and booster seats as well as baby car seats. 

We always recommend checking with your airline first to be sure of the rules and what they will and won't allow.

9. Do airplanes damage car seats?

Unfortunately, any item that is checked into the hold is at risk of being damaged or even lost.

We would recommend that if you do plan to check in a car seat, purchase a cheap FAA approved car seat for the flight.

This way if it is lost or damaged, it is not your expensive car seat that you use in the car at home.

10. Can I take my baby in a taxi without a car seat?

A child can only travel in a taxi or private hire vehicle without a child car seat if he or she sits in the back.

However, even though this is allowed we would always recommend that a car seat is used when traveling in a vehicle as this is the safest option. 

Children older than three years old must use the car's adult seat belt and it is advised that children under three should not use a seat belt.

11. Do airports provide car seat bags?

No, airports do not provide car seat bags as each car seat is different in size and there is not one size fits all car seat bags available. 

We have at times grabbed a normal thin plastic bag from the counter to use, however it didn't add any protection for the seat so is not recommended.

Verdict on Our Pick of the Best Travel Car Seat

Your baby's safety will of course top priority when it comes to choosing a car seat for travel. You may also take into account the style as well as your preference, needs, and budget.

If you want a travel car seat that will work for both travel and home use then our top pick would be the Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat . It is also great value for money as you can use it from birth up to 65 lbs which means you will get a good few years of use.

Although the Safety 1St Jive 2-in-1 can be used from 5 lbs, we do prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for babies and infants as it offers more support and protection for their necks.

If you prefer to travel light and with minimal fuss then the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is perfect. It folds up small and compact and does not take up much space when not in use or you have to transport it when not using. It is perfect for ages 2-4 years old.

If you want to travel super light and not have to worry about a car seat for when you arrive at your destination, a great option for children  aged two years or older who have their own seat and do not need much support is the Newroutes Airplane Safety Harness .

If you opt for the Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 car seat we suggest investing in the Britax Car Seat Travel Cart as it will make transporting the seat around the airport so much easier.

We also recommend the Britax Car Seat Travel Cart for the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat. Although this travel cart is made by Britax it works with most other brands of car seats as well. If you want to check this travel seat in then we recommend the smallest of all check-in bags, the JL Gate Check Car Seat Bag .

To give your Cosco Might Fix 65 DX travel car seat the best protection when you check it in when not using it on the plane, be sure to get the JL Premium Backpack travel bag . 

We hope this article has helped you decide on the best travel car seat for flying. Have a safe and comfortable trip.

Why Trust Wanderlust Storytellers

Jolene Ejmont is an author with almost a decade of experience in researching and writing about travel and lifestyle products. 

Additionally, she is a mother to 3 kids. She has experience traveling with a baby, toddler, preschooler, tween and teenager.

In the process of creating this list, Jolene delved into the research of numerous products, scrutinizing crucial specifications such as dimensions, weight rating, and reviews, both positive and negative.

2024 - Wanderlust Storytellers. All Rights Reserved.

About Us  |  Contact Us  | Work with Us  |  Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer

* Disclaimer: Wanderluststorytellers.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other Amazon sites.