For many travelers, securing a window seat is a top priority. Whether it’s for the breathtaking aerial views, a place to rest your head, or simply avoiding the dreaded middle seat, most passengers prefer sitting by the window. However, airlines often charge extra fees for selecting these prime spots, leaving budget-conscious travelers frustrated.
But what if there were a way to get a window seat without paying extra? A savvy TikTok user, @mimiworkbestie, recently shared a clever trick that could help you secure one—completely free of charge.
The Clever Hack for Scoring a Window Seat Without Paying
The trick is surprisingly simple. Instead of purchasing a ticket for just yourself or your group, the idea is to simulate buying a large number of seats—about 10, 15, or even 20.
Here’s how it works:
- Find and Start Flight Booking – First you find the best flight for your next destination. You can search Skyscanner or Google Flights. Then you visit the airline’s website or app and begin selecting flights as if you were booking for a large group.
- Select a Fare That Allows Seat Selection – Choose the lowest fare that still allows you to pick a seat, without actually completing the purchase.
- Block the Seats You Don’t Want – When you reach the seat selection screen, mark the aisle seats, middle seats, and any undesirable spots as “taken.” This temporarily reserves them.
- Exit Without Completing the Purchase – Close the tab or app before finalizing the booking.
- Book Your Actual Ticket Right Away – Now, open a new tab and book your real ticket. You should try to use another browser if Since the less desirable seats were temporarily “held,” the airline’s system will be more likely to assign you one of the remaining available seats—typically a window seat.
Why Does This Trick Work?
Airline booking systems temporarily block selected seats during the purchase process. When you simulate a large group booking and select all the least desirable seats, those seats remain unavailable for a short time.
If you then immediately book your real ticket, the system has fewer options left and may assign you a window seat by default.
Does This Work Every Time?
While there’s no guarantee, many travelers have reported success with this method. Some airlines release blocked seats back into the system quickly, while others may hold them for several minutes. Timing is key—booking your actual ticket immediately after “reserving” the bad seats increases your chances of landing a window spot.
For those who are tired of paying extra fees just to enjoy the view, this simple trick might just be the smartest travel hack yet.
