A viral TikTok travel hack might be your ticket to better seats on a plane. Here's how to make the trick work for you.
Get Extra Legroom on Your Next Flight for Free with This Viral Travel Hack
Published on Dec. 02, 2024
Your passport is renewed. Your hotel is booked. And your mind is drifting to the mai tais you’ll be sipping the minute you land. There’s just one more thing you need to lock down before you cruise into vacation mode: your flight.
The challenge, of course, is choosing the right seat. If the thought of sitting in a cramped economy seat makes you cringe, and you’re dreaming of extra legroom or snagging that coveted exit row, we’ve got some good news. A viral TikTok travel hack is making waves across the globe, promising to help you secure a better seat.
Curious about what this travel hack is and if it actually works? You’re in luck! We’ve got the details on whether this trick is as easy—and effective—as it sounds, plus expert advice from Katy Nastro, a travel guru with the Going travel app.
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What is the viral TikTok travel hack?
It’s a travel game you didn’t know you were already playing: check-in chicken. You know the game of chicken—two players face off in a risky standoff, and the first to back down loses. Now, imagine that same dynamic, except your opponent is the airline and the prize is a better, comfier seat.
The idea? Check in for your flight as late as possible to avoid being stuck with those dreaded middle seats. By waiting, you might just snag one of the remaining premium seats (think: extra legroom) or even an aisle spot. You may have unknowingly played this “game” before—perhaps you accidentally checked in late and found yourself rewarded with a better seat.
While the trick isn’t entirely new, it recently went viral, thanks to TikTokker and budget-travel expert Chelsea Dickenson (@cheapholidayexpert). In October, she shared her experience playing check-in chicken with Wizz Air, and let’s just say it paid off.
“Essentially, what they do is they palm off the middle seats or the back of the plane in the hope that you will then pay to change your seats,” Dickenson says in the TikTok video she shared with her more than 155,000 followers. “If you sit tight and wait, what you will see is that they all start to go, and the only ones left are extra-legroom seats and the ones at the front of the plane.”
How does it work in practice?
In her viral video, Dickenson shares how she had just 5 1/2 hours left to check in for her Wizz Air flight. Curious to “see the lay of the land,” she began the check-in process. When she clicked on the seat selection option, she was taken to the seat map. There were only two seats left: 19D and 19F, both extra-legroom seats.
Just two hours earlier, Dickenson had checked the seat map and noticed there were still 20 seats available. So in her book, snagging those premium seats was a huge win. Check-in chicken: 1, Airline: 0.
But does this hack really work consistently? According to Nastro, “there is no doubt this can help to avoid paying more for a better seat, even if that means just sitting further up in the plane.” While she admits she’s never purposely played check-in chicken, she’s had it work in her favor. “I’ve checked in late without a seat assignment and ended up in an emergency exit row—without paying the usual premium.”
So could this strategy work for you? A good sign it’s worth trying: “If you go to check in and the only options left are the premium seats typically reserved for extra fees—think bulkhead, exit row or extra legroom,” Nastro explains. In that case, waiting it out might just land you a better seat for free.
Is it possible to get business or first-class seats with this method?
If you’re hoping to score a free upgrade to business or first class by playing check-in chicken, here’s the harsh truth: It’s highly unlikely.
“Getting a business-class or first-class ticket upgrade is almost as hard as getting invited to the Met Gala,” Nastro says. “Delta said in the latest company call that 88% of their first-class seats are paid for. That number was closer to 14% just over a decade ago, meaning a free upgrade was much more likely.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Even if there are empty seats, airlines prioritize filling them with frequent fliers or passengers with elite status before even considering anyone else. “So again, your odds at snagging a premium seat are way, way less likely,” she says.
In other words, if you’re holding out for that first-class miracle, it might be time to adjust your expectations.
What are the risks?
While check-in chicken might score you a prime seat, it comes with two major risks: ending up in a terrible spot or, worse, not being able to board your flight at all. Many airlines overbook to account for no-shows, last-minute cancelations and delays, meaning your gamble could leave you stranded.
“The biggest thing to remember is, if you are traveling on a very full flight, do not wait too long to check in because you may not only end up with a bad seat, but worse, you might get bumped if the flight is oversold,” Nastro warns. “Airlines oversell often, but bumping isn’t too common. Yet it’s never a bad idea to check in at least a few hours in advance.”
Nastro speaks from experience. She once missed a flight after trying to check in too late, and it cost her big when she had to book a same-day ticket with another carrier. Most travelers don’t push check-in that close to the deadline, but those who do risk missing out on a decent seat simply because they’re “holding out” for a better one.
“U.S. airlines typically have better tech than European carriers, where this tactic was first coined, so your odds at gaming the system may not be as high on domestic flights,” Nastro explains.
And here’s a crucial tip: While waiting until the last minute may seem smart, airlines have a cut-off time for check-in. Miss it, and your ticket is forfeited, as the airline assumes you’re a no-show. “To be sure, factor in at least an hour to check in, or check your airline’s check-in policies to be safe,” advises Nastro.
Ultimately, Nastro compares check-in chicken to a strategic showdown: “It’s like playing a game of chess against the airline and against all of the other travelers who may try the same tactic,” she says.
The question is: Are you willing to take the risk?
About the expert
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece, Reader’s Digest Associate Editor Mariah Thomas tapped her experience as a journalist and frequent traveler, speaking with travel expert Katy Nastro of Going to ensure all information is correct. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
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