Content creator Jordan King, widely known as the "Coupon King" on social media, has shared a method that allows Ryanair passengers to avoid middle seats without incurring extra fees. The hack, detailed in a recent Instagram video, involves manipulating the seat selection process.
King advises users to open the seat selection menu for their intended flight as if they were making a new booking. The next step involves identifying and selecting all undesirable middle seats. These seats are then placed in a temporary holding pattern in a separate browser tab using a placeholder name and a bogus booking. According to King, this action freezes the selected seats for a few minutes, effectively making them unavailable to the airline's automatic assignment system.
After initiating the fake booking for the middle seats, users are instructed to return to their original booking and select the "random seat allocation" option. Because the middle seats are temporarily occupied in another booking, the airline's system is expected to assign the passenger to one of the remaining window or aisle seats. If multiple middle seats are available, users may need to repeat the process with several fake names to block them all.
Commenters on social media have responded positively to the hack, with many expressing gratitude for the tip. However, one user noted that the method is most effective on less crowded flights and may not be feasible during peak travel times. Another commenter jokingly urged against publicizing the hack to maintain its effectiveness.
This strategy comes amid ongoing efforts by travelers to minimize extra costs associated with air travel. Beyond seat selection, a flight attendant previously shared advice for passengers seeking upgrades to first class. This includes checking in as early as possible when online check-in opens, as priority is often given to those who check in first. Traveling alone may also increase the chances of receiving an upgrade, as it is simpler for airlines to move one passenger than a family. Additionally, appearing neat and presentable, though not requiring formal attire, can prevent passengers from being overlooked for potential upgrades.