Would you pay $120 for a better seat in a 9 hour flight?

jumperabv3

I'm going to have soon 3 flights, one from Asia to Amsterdam (6h), then Amsterdam to Philadelphia (9h) and PHL to California (5h).

I got good seats for most flights except for the Amsterdam-PHL flight which is going to be around 9 hours. It's with American Airlines, the plane is Boeing 757.

When I tried to choose seats for this one I could only choose middle seats, there are no exit/aisle seats so I can only choose middle ones.

There are however plenty of seats available to purchase a bit in the front for prices ranging between $124 and $137.

My question is - if I want to be as most relaxed and concentrated once I landed and since I have to go via 3 flights in 1 day - would you in that case consider paying $120ish to get a better seat in the longest flight of these 3 flights or not?!

peachyprice

If no aisle seat were available elsewhere without paying extra, then yes, I would pay $120.

eDicky

Yes, when it's pretty full aft like that I would certainly consider it...

PeacefulWaters

While it would irk me, yes I would.

I'd also price class upgrades too.

stevie11

Well only you can answer that question. I would consider what I paid originally for the tickets if it was a great deal then go for it. Do you have much layover time in Ams and Phl to relax a little? Are the seats on the AA flight MCE (main cabin extra)?, although I am not sure a 757 has much choice of MCE. If the seat is the same pitch legroom etc but on an aisle further forward I would think what else the $130 can be budgeted on. Your decision though.

novelty-socks

I would consider it, but would probably wait for check-in to open 24 hours before to see if seat availability changed then. It's possible aisle and window seats might open up for free, or drop in price. (Caveat: although I fly transatlantic a lot, it's usually United. I haven't flown American for years.)

Bogalot

Break it down to an hourly rate. It's roughly £10 an hour.

I'd do it.

Pollycat

I can't see that it matters what anyone else would do.

It's your flight, your comfort and your money - if you think it's worth it, then pay the extra.

jpsartre

jumperabv3 wrote: »

When I tried to choose seats for this one I could only choose middle seats, there are no exit/aisle seats so I can only choose middle ones.

My guess is seats are held back. Up tp you whether to pay but I'd say there's a decent chance availability will be much better when online check in opens.

daveyjp

For 9 hours on an AA 757 the only seat I would want is one of the two with a forward facing view.

They were built for holiday charters, not crossing the pond!

lady1964

If the flight cost $124-$137 extra at the time of purchase would you still have paid that price?

We've paid extra to secure particular seats and that was the question we asked ourselves, the answer was yes, we would have so we paid the extra. As has been mentioned, if you break it down per hour, it's not much if you have a particular preference or reason for choosing certain seats.

Your risk as the end of the day though.