AIRLINES: FLY CHEAP, SIT COMFY

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By Newsweek Editors

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So you've already walked past those lucky people sitting in first class and now you're squeezed in between two guys who, well, let's just say should be in first class. Getting the best seat in coach is an art--especially if you're not a preferred customer. Airlines assign seats based largely on the price of your ticket. One way to beat the system is to call ahead, as airlines typically upgrade their top customers 72, 48 and 24 hours before departure. That often frees up the primo coach seats. But it's also important to pick your plane. Airbus aircraft are best, but Boeing 777s, 767s and 747s aren't bad. (Planes en route from abroad are often more luxurious.) Also choose carriers like American, United, JetBlue and Song, which give a couple of more inches of leg-room. (Web sites like seatguru.com have seat maps.) Don't forget to be nice to the gate agents. They have more power than you think.

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