Travel expert shares 'golden rule' for getting the best seat on a Ryanair flight

A travel guru has revealed their top tip for securing the best seat on a Ryanair flight, and it involves a clever trick during check-in.

We're all on the hunt for handy tips and tricks to make our holidays less stressful, and if you're jetting off with Ryanair, this nugget of wisdom is certainly one to keep in mind.

The TikTok creator, known as Live_TheDash, claims this hack allows you to "not pay extra for your seat on the plane", by simply taking a risk and selecting the best of the remaining free seats.

He advises his followers, "If you really don't want to pay, there is another option. Linger around the check-in desk like an unwelcome guest, enter through the back door and ensure you're the very last person on the plane.

"As you stroll down the cabin, choose any vacant seat you fancy.", reports RSVP Live.

Sharing his theory, he disclosed that he believes you end up with inferior seats even when you've paid more, but that you can outsmart the seat allocation and still bag excellent free seats by trying the above trick.

Naturally, if the flight is packed you will still end up in your randomly assigned seat, but travellers who have given it a go insist it's often well worth the gamble.

He also divulged his top tips for paying to select a seat, adding: "If you do decide to give in, and purchase a seat on the plane, please remember these golden rules. Opt for a seat in front of an extra legroom chair to guarantee no one kicks you in the back."

A savvy traveller has offered a golden nugget of advice for Ryanair passengers looking for a bit more legroom without the extra cost, suggesting: "The right hand side of the plane actually has one less row, so you get an extra inch of leg room in D, E and F. Remember, row one is just a permanent ticket to a never-ending toilet queue."

Following the video's online buzz, numerous viewers have chimed in, backing the strategy as effective. One commenter pointed out, "Never pay the extra and always have good places."

with another adding, "I just wait until the last minute to check in, and always end up with the best seat."

With Ryanair, one can opt for either reserved seating at a fee or roll the dice with free seats assigned automatically when checking in.

If you're not too fussed about where you plonk yourself on the flight and who's beside you, you can check in from 24 hours up until two hours before your take off.

A Ryanair flight (Image: Getty Images)

However, Ryanair advises passengers keen on sticking close to their travel buddies to fork out for reserved seats.

Their website clearly states: "We recommend that you reserve your seat when booking or when checking in to guarantee a seat beside your travel companions. If you choose not to reserve a seat, then a seat will be randomly allocated to you free of charge when checking in, but it is unlikely it will be beside your travel companions."

For those who fancy a particular spot aboard, purchasing a seat during the check-in process or any time before the flight ensures that choice spot is yours. Seat selection becomes available 60 days prior to the flight's scheduled departure.

When booking a flight with Ryanair, passengers should note that seat prices vary depending on the location chosen within the aircraft.

Additionally, the airline has specific guidelines for families, stating that children under 12 must be seated beside an accompanying adult, while infants must sit on an adult's lap.

According to Ryanair's policy: "For safety reasons, children under the age of 12 must sit beside an accompanying adult, and infants (aged 8 days to 23 months inclusive) must sit on an accompanying adult's lap."

The airline requires adults travelling with children under 12 (excluding infants) to reserve a seat, allowing up to four children per adult to receive a free reserved seat. This ensures families with young children can sit together during the flight.

Ryanair's policy also states: "This will also allow you to check-in for your flight 60 days before departure. It is not mandatory for any other adults or teenagers in the booking to reserve a seat, however they may choose to do so if they wish to seat with the rest of the family."

Furthermore, there are specific rules for passengers who want to sit in the emergency row.

On the Ryanair website, it says: “For safety reasons, you can only sit in an emergency exit seat if you are:

16 years or older; Willing and able to help in the event of an emergency; Travelling without an infant (this also applies to pax with seats leading to emergency exit rows); Do not require airport special assistance of any kind; Do not require a seat belt extender; Have no extra comfort seat booked. Only able-bodied adults are permitted to sit at emergency seat rows as you may be called upon to assist crew members in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation.”

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