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Would you pay extra to sit where you want? -

Some people will happily pay extra to lock in their favorite seat. But on budget airlines, many prefer to save their cash, rolling the dice on ending up wedged between two strangers who haven't grasped the concept of personal space. 

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Why people don't like the middle seat -

Middle seats typically feel more cramped because passengers in the aisle and window seats can spread out a bit more. They have armrests to themselves, while the person in the middle has to share both armrests with the passengers next to them, who are often reluctant to split elbow room.

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Is this seat taken? -

The earlier you check in, the more likely it is you’ll be assigned the middle seat, unless you cough up the cash. Airlines are holding back on "the good seats," hoping to up their profits before takeoff.

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Check-in chicken -

Check-in chicken is a tactic passengers have found to be effective at scoring a great seat at the last minute for free.

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Would you risk it? -

When checking in online, the idea is to wait as long as possible, giving time for all the middle seats to be designated. This increases the chances of being left with seats that typically cost extra—like those at the front, with extra legroom, or near the emergency exits.

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What are the odds? -

The hack has a higher chance of success on busy flights, but on less crowded planes, your odds are lower—though still possible. Balancing the weight of an aircraft is crucial for safety and proper operation. You may even get asked if you would like to be moved once onboard. 

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The rise in seat selection charges -

According to USA Today, charging for specific seats began in the mid to late 2000s. To the present, these costs are continuing to rise.

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A new report -

The United States Senate Homeland Security Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has released a report criticizing the airline industry's increasing reliance on ancillary fees, such as seat and baggage add-ons.

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The sky's the limit -

The report, titled 'The Sky’s the Limit,' criticizes airlines for weighing down passengers with new charges for flying, on top of their ticket.

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Key findings -

One of the key findings of the report revealed that between 2018 and 2023, American, Delta, United, Frontier, and Spirit generated US$12.4 billion in seat fee revenue, or money customers pay to reserve a specific seat, in addition to their ticket price.

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A billion-dollar business -

The report also notes that in 2023, for the first time since at least 2018, United earned more from seat fees ($1.3 billion) than from checked bag fees ($1.2 billion).

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Dynamic pricing and dark patterns -

Investigators attribute the increase in fees to tactics such as dynamic pricing and "dark patterns," which are designed to deceive customers and increase the airlines' profits.

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Potential check-in pandemonium -

With this new money-saving travel hack blowing up on social media, will airlines' websites see a surge of activity just before online check-in closes? And what kind of chaos could that potentially create?

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Possible retaliation -

Or will carriers retaliate to this new craze by finding ways to prevent such activity? When flight prices are low, there is a valid argument that companies need to find other ways to cover their expenses.

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Travelmation president comments on trend -

Adam Duckworth, president and founder of the Florida-based agency Travelmation, told Fox News Digital, "Being a ‘check-in chicken’ will 100% add stress to your day." While some might suggest he could be biased in his opinion, Duckworth has a point.

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Added stress -

Leaving seat selection until the last minute leaves no room to deal with potential check-in issues. Or, as often happens in the US, you might find there are no seats left and have to wait for another flight.

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More travel hacks that are going viral -

Another recent travel trend doing the rounds online is called “skiplagging” (also known as "hidden city ticketing"). This flying hack sees passengers book a flight with a layover in their intended destination, so they don't take the second leg of the journey.

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"Skiplagging" explained -

Skiplagging is a way to save money because flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct flights to the same destination. For example, if you want to fly to Chicago but find that a flight from New York to Denver with a layover in Chicago is cheaper, you book the Denver flight and simply get off in Chicago, skipping the second leg.

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Why the airlines are not happy -

Airlines dislike skiplagging because it leads to revenue loss from missed direct flight fares, disrupts passenger counts and baggage handling (as checked luggage continues to the final destination), and violates their terms and conditions.

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Possible consequences -

Passengers caught skiplagging may face penalties, such as losing frequent flyer miles or being banned by the airline. They may even face legal or financial repercussions if the airline enforces its rules.

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Risk of being stranded -

There is also the risk that airlines might cancel the return flight if part of the itinerary is skipped. And it goes without saying that this only works with carry-on luggage, as checked bags go to the ticketed final destination.

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Case study -

Airlines are cracking down on this popular money-saving trend. A 17-year-old passenger was caught by airport police in the US, and after an interrogation, was forced to buy a new ticket and banned from flying with American Airlines for three years.

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"Gate lice" -

The term "gate lice"—coined by frequent flyers on forums like Flyertalk—has also now gone mainstream, gravitating to Reddit and even earning its own Wikipedia page. The expanding practice is another way to avoid more additional airline fees, this time when it comes to earlier boarding.

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Preventative technology -

"Gate lice" recently made headlines as American Airlines introduced new technology at over 100 airports to prevent passengers from cutting in line. The system, which audibly alerts when someone tries to board before their assigned group is called, will automatically reject the ticket.

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Airlines clamp down -

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Check-in chicken pros -

Particuarly on budget airlines, where nearly everything comes with an additional cost, "check-in chicken" allows travelers to bypass extra charges while still securing a better seat. 

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Check-in chicken cons -

However, on full flights, this tactic might backfire, leaving passengers separated from their companions. Additionally, delaying check-in can create unnecessary stress, particularly during busy travel periods when seats are in high demand.

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You decide -

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to play "check-in chicken" is up to you—just be prepared for the potential risks as well as the rewards.

Sources: (NY Post) (CNN) (ABC News)

See also: 30 things to avoid when you travel abroad

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