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Having an empty seat next to you on a plane is like the ultimate of economy class luxuries. When the flight attendants close the door and there’s no one next to you, you feel like you’ve won the airline lottery. Am I right, or what?

There was a short time during the early months of the pandemic that, in the name of social distancing, middle seats were blocked on many airlines. As this process began to be phased out in late 2020 and early 2021, passengers on some airlines were offered the opportunity to purchase the middle seats next to them. They were called “comfort seats” (or something similar to that; it varied from airline to airline) and the prices were, for a short period of time, significantly less than the cost of buying two seats.

Not surprisingly, as more people began flying again, that option went away quickly. However there are some airlines (Note: none based in the U.S.; unless you’re a person of size flying on specific airlines, if you want 2 seats you will pay full price for two seats) that still allow their passengers to purchase the seat next to them at a discounted rate, regardless if their goal is social distancing or just good ol’ elbow room:

Air France

Air France has a program called “My Extra Space,” which, “allows you to privatize up to 3 seats next to yours, for greater comfort, space, and privacy. This option is offered to you at check-in in real time, and is subject to availability.”

Rates depend on the flight destination and the number of seats you wish to privatize. Anecdotally, I read of someone who was able to block the middle seat for $50 in 2022, but I have no knowledge about distance of the flight.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand allows you to buy what they call “Twin Seats” at check-in. “One seat, twice the space”

Twin Seats are not available on every flight, but it’s on many of them. They’re also subject to availability at the time of check-in. Prices vary, but to give an idea, here are some prices from the United States (prices are in U.S. dollars):

• $120 from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Auckland
• $120 from Honolulu to Auckland
• $150 from Houston and Chicago to Auckland
• $180 from New York City to Auckland

But before you think you may be able to sleep better on those flights, Air New Zealand does clarify that, “Not all armrests onboard our aircraft fully retract and therefore Twin Seat is not intended for, and may not allow you to sit across or lay across multiple seats.”

Etihad

Etihad has offered what they call “Economy Neighbour-Free” as one of its seating options, alongside Economy Space and Economy Standard, since 2017.

The seat(s) are available 72 hours before flight time and available options can be accessed by entering the booking reference number and name on the seat selection page. You can then select up to three neighboring seats and bid on “winning” them.

There’s a minimum and maximum bid the site will accept per seat, and priority will be given to members of the airline’s frequent flyer program, Etihad Guest. If you win the bid, you’ll be notified 32 hours before your flight departs.

Eurowings

You may be able to book an empty middle seat next to your seat for as little as €10 (or more, depending on how full the flight is). Passengers can make the reservation when booking online via Eurowings’ website, or when visiting the ticket counter at the airport. Bookings for the extra seat must be made for all flights in the reservation, not for individual flights.

Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways introduced what they call “My Bubble Seat” in December 2021, when the country’s borders reopened. My Bubble Seat is advertised as a way to have social distancing, extra comfort, and more personal space in their Economy cabin. The option is available to purchase between 72 to four hours before scheduled departure time.

Kenya Airways

Kenya Airways sells empty seats as part of their “Economy Max” program. “Economy Max is the new dynamic way for you to create your own personal space by booking the seat or row next to you. Economy Max seats are applicable on all seat options except Economy Comfort, Extra Legroom, and Exit Row seats.”

Pricing for the U.S. routes are $120 for 1 seat an $230 for 2 seats.

Philippines Airlines

Philippines Airlines offers what they call their “Seat Select Neighbor-Free” option. “Fly in maximum comfort for your well-being with empty neighboring seats in Economy.” They suggest you’ll be able to enjoy extra comfort, more privacy and added peace of mind.

According to their website, “For as low as USD30, you can enjoy more space in economy class by blocking the seats beside you to keep them vacant so you can feel extra safe and have more room to relax.

“Seat Select Neighbor-Free gives you a more comfortable Economy Class experience by having the entire row to yourself all throughout the flight.”

Qantas

Qantas’ program is called their “Neighbour Free Seating option.”

Neighbour Free gives economy customers the opportunity to enjoy more space throughout their flight.by reserving the free seat next to them and is currently available on selected Australian domestic and international routes.

Customers can check their eligibility for Neighbour Free by submitting their booking reference and last name via the Neighbour Free widget on qantas.com. Neighbour Free can be requested from 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure until up to 1 hour before departure for Australian domestic flights and 2 hours for international flights.

Further Information:

• No servicing is required by the travel agent.
• Availability is limited so advise your customer to book early.
• Costs vary for each route.
• Once booked, the Neighbour Free seat can be identified in the booking as SSR SBLK NFS 28B (seat number)
• Neighbour Free seats cannot be used for infant seating, carry-on baggage or musical instruments.
• If voluntary or involuntary changes to the selected seat after purchase result in the neighbour free being forfeited, the customer is eligible for a refund,
• Refer to the full terms and conditions for more information.

Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian sells extra seats through their Neighbor-Free Seat service. “Book your seat along with its neighboring seat(s) and put your mind at ease as you indulge in the perks of this service. Reserve 24 hours prior to departure or at least 6 hours before your flight.”

There are no prices listed for this service.

SAS

SAS sells what they call an Extra Seat.

• Extra Seat is available on the majority of SAS departures, from when check-in opens until two hours before departure.
• You can reserve your extra seat via My bookings or in the SAS App. Prices may vary, but you’ll see the exact prices during the booking process.
• No earnings of EuroBonus points and no extra carry-on baggage or checked baggage are included with the purchase of Extra Seat(s).

They also have a “Guaranteed Extra Seat”:

They don’t mention prices for either program.

Sri Lankan Airlines

Sri Lankan Airlines advertises “Neighbour Free Seats,” for passengers’ health and safety. “Fly in comfort with more space, at the most reasonable fares.”

If you have booked an Economy class seat and your flight is within 72 hours and 5 hours of departure, you may reserve a Neighbour Free Seat online, subject to the following conditions.

• Your flight must be operated by SriLankan Airlines and you must have a ticket number starting with 603
• The Neighbour Free Seat facility is not available for passengers who have made special service requests such as Wheelchair, Stretcher, Infant seats and Bassinet
• This facility is also not available for deportees
• This service may not be available on certain flights due to operational reasons

TAP Portugal

TAP Portugal is another airline that will block a seat for you. They say their “Empty Side Seat” program guarantees you more space, as well as privacy and greater peace of mind without anyone next to you. Here’s how they say to do it:

1. Check online check-in – If this service is available for your booking, it will appear as an option in the online check-in flow.
2. Select the seats to block – Choose the empty seat(s) next to you that you want to book, in Economy Class.
3. Make the payment – Pay for the empty seat(s) selected. After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation e-mail.

Turkish Airlines

You can buy an extra seat next to you on Turkish Airlines, but it probably won’t be as cheap as some of the other airlines mentioned here. Read: it will “only” cost you the base fare and fuel surcharges.

Airlines that used to sell “extra” seats but no longer do

Emirates

In response to passenger feedback of wanting more personal space and privacy onboard, Emirates Airlines allowed Emirates Economy Class passengers the option to buy empty adjoining seats since March, 2021.

You were able to buy up to three adjoining seats, but they could only be bought at the airport check-in counter before departure. When the program was first introduced, the cost ranged from $55 to $165 per empty seat (plus applicable taxes).

Emirates has since discontinued the program.

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