Booking a flight seat can feel like a game of chance, especially for those who dread the cramped confines of the middle seat. But travel influencer Jordan Tually has shared a clever and cost-free method to sidestep this discomfort, leaving his 450,000 Instagram followers in awe of his ingenuity.
“This travel hack has saved me from MANY a middle seat over the years,” Tually shared in a viral video, beaming with confidence. “It’s never failed me a 100% perfect record when done correctly!”
The hack’s genius lies in its simplicity and timing. Tually demonstrated his trick while checking in online for a Ryanair flight from Bologna, Italy, to Barcelona, Spain. Choosing a preferred seat on this flight would typically cost an additional $9 a fee Tually was determined to avoid.
Instead of letting the system randomly assign him a seat, which often results in landing the dreaded middle spot, Tually used an unconventional tactic: temporarily “reserving” the undesirable middle seats.
Here’s how it works: as Tually walked viewers through the process, he pretended to purchase multiple middle seats. “The website will ask for passenger names, so just type in random letters and continue,” he instructed. Once those seats are selected, they’re temporarily held by the airline’s system, making them unavailable for others during the online check-in period.
“The site will hold these seats for about 10 minutes,” Tually explained, flashing a knowing smile. “This gives you time to go back and check in properly. When you select a random seat allocation, guess what? The middle seats are no longer an option!”
The result? A coveted window or aisle seat, secured without spending a dime. Tually emphasized that this strategy works best when done on a computer and closer to the check-in deadline when seat availability is limited.
The viral video sparked a mix of admiration and curiosity, with many viewers eager to try it themselves. Comments flooded in from fellow travelers, praising the creative workaround. “Why didn’t I think of this?” one user exclaimed. Another added, “This is a game-changer for budget travelers!”
Tually’s innovative approach offers a small but satisfying victory in the sometimes frustrating world of air travel. While the hack might raise ethical eyebrows for some, it’s hard to deny the allure of avoiding the middle seat without opening your wallet.
For travelers who loathe being sandwiched between strangers, this cheeky trick might be worth a try. After all, as Tually proved, a little creativity can go a long way in making flying more comfortable.
