Travel expert reveals the ideal time to check into your flight for the best seat
A TRAVEL expert has revealed some top advice when it comes to securing the ideal seat on flights.
The exact time you check-in for your flight does impact your chances when it comes to sitting as a group, or getting an aisle seat.
Scott Keyes, founder of , revealed all about airlines such as Southwest, who assign seats on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways allow online check-in from 24 hours before flight departure.
Scott told : "There are a few instances where it is quite important to check in early - and the earlier, the better."
He added: "That first-come, first-serve is determined by what time you checked in for your flight.
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"So if you check-in for your flight, even five or ten minutes after that 24-hour mark, you're going to likely get put into the B or C-section groups, which means your odds of sitting together as a group or getting an aisle of window seat are not great. Especially if it's a packed flight."
Travel expert Scott recommends setting an alarm on your phone to notify you the exact moment that check-in opens for your flight.
He adds: "Sometimes airlines allow seat selection after check-in or at least have first pick compared to folks who check-in later.
"It's rare these days, but every once in a while, check-in time can be the tiebreaker for determining upgrades too."
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The travel expert also claimed that check-in time - if left to the very last moment - can also be a tiebreaker in deciding who gets bumped from an overpacked flight.
Though he notes this is a very rare scenario, it is still worth checking in early to minimise risk and secure your ideal spot.
There is one reason to never check in online - it could be harming your chances of being upgraded, according to flight attendants.
Here is everything you need to know about flight times, including final check in and doors closed.
