Table of Contents
Imagine you're just a click away from snagging a killer deal on a flight to your bucket-list destination. The excitement is real! But wait—what if you get saddled with a cramped seat next to the bathroom?
Cue the travel anxiety.
But fear not... That's where SeatGuru swoops in to save the day!
Think of SeatGuru as your personal travel guru for all things airlines: the go-to for ideal seats, the encyclopedia of in-flight amenities, and even the wizard of affordable airfare. It's the one-stop-shop for turning you into an airline aficionado.
But can you truly rely on its treasure trove of info? Buckle up, because I don't want to lose you as we're about to take off on a deep dive to find out just how trustworthy SeatGuru really is!
What Is SeatGuru?
SeatGuru is a travel amenities website that offers travelers information about their upcoming flights.
Its seat maps feature helps travelers choose their flight seats, find what plane they'll be on, and get info on the inflight entertainment offerings. In my opinion, what I can watch is the most crucial part.
SeatGuru is powered by TripAdvisor and is one of the most prominent seat map databases on the internet. Its mission is to give airline passengers the real scoop before they take to the skies.
Set up by Matthew Daimler in 2001, this company was the first of its kind. Matthew was fed up with having crappy flight seats, so he decided to do something about it.
SeatGuru is still a free site that helps travelers find the best seats to this day!
SeatGuru Features
Seat Maps
SeatGuru has the unique ability to show you over 175 airline seat maps on more than 1200 planes. That's a lot of seats!
A seat map is the layout of all the seats on the plane, allowing you to choose the one that meets your needs best. Whether that's an aisle seat so you can dash to the toilet or a window seat for the best views, it's a quick way to find the perfect seat.
Seat Comparison Charts
It's an unwritten rule of backpacking: You always want a good seat on the best-priced flight on the nicest plane, right?
Well, there's a handy section on SeatGuru's website to make sure you get just that.
Its seat comparison charts offer an easy way to compare multiple airlines, from economy to first class.
If you select an economy seating chart on a short-haul flight, you get a list of different airlines and their amenities. Each airline is broken down into sections covering seat pitch, seat width, entertainment type, onboard WIFI, and more.
Cheap Flights
If you have used apps and sites like Hopper or Momondo for cheap flights before, then SeatGuru cheap flights could be helpful.
It compares over 200 websites to find the best deals on flights. You can also customize your filter if you have specific needs like the number of stops in your flight, your preferred airline, or in-flight amenities.
SkyScanner is another excellent alternative that helps you find the cheapest flights available so that you won't have to pay more for flight tickets and save that money for more things to do or food to eat!
Rental Cars
This is where SeatGuru veers away from planes. If you need a car while you're on vacation, then SeatGuru could help you find one.
To complete the package of services it offers, you can now search for a rental car at your destination.
Well-Known Airlines on SeatGuru
SeatGuru services are available for lots of major airlines. The SeatGuru website knows this is a common question, so the company has a specific page listing all the major airlines.
Some of the ones you may know include:
- Air Canada
- Alaska Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Delta Airlines
- Emirates
- Qantas Airways
How to Use SeatGuru
You can easily try out SeatGuru right now to see how it works. Just follow these 4 simple steps.
1. If you have booked flights or are interested in looking at the seat map of a plane, you need to start by knowing the airline, the date you're flying on, and the flight number.
2. Once you have these details you can search on the SeatGuru homepage to find the seat map.
3. The information regarding the seat map, the airline's amenities, and more travel essential information will load.
4. If you're looking for flights or a rental car, you can search for a cheap deal by entering the dates and destination.
The feature I like most about SeatGuru, aside from the visual map, is that there's seating details laid out on the side for easy reading. SeatGuru includes the following info:
- Number of seats in each booking class (economy class, business class, first class)
- Seat pitch, which is how much legroom you have
- Seat width
- Type of seating
I'm Confused... Is There a SeatGuru App?
Unfortunately there isn't right now.
In 2012, SeatGuru brought its legendary color-coded seat maps right to the palm of your hand with accessible iOS and Android apps. It even tossed in real-time flight alerts for good measure.
Fast forward to 2020, and poof! Those apps vanished from the app stores like a jet disappearing into the clouds.
But don't worry, your mobile quest for the perfect airplane seat isn't grounded. The SeatGuru website is still mobile-friendly, meaning you can go there to stay in-the-know, even on the go!
How Accurate is SeatGuru?
SeatGuru claims to update its website daily with new comments, information, and changes. It has user comments and forums throughout its website where travelers can discuss their questions and opinions.
But, there are no dates on the website to suggest when the information was last updated. There are user comments on their website, but many of them date back to 2019.
The information that's on their website is used successfully by many people all over the world. But if you're looking for reassurance that this information is the latest, it's best to compare it to your airline's website.
What Are People Saying About SeatGuru?
It's time to get to the juicy part. What are reviewers saying about SeatGuru?
Kicking things off on a positive note, SeatGuru has many fantastic reviews. Reviewers have used SeatGuru to select seats, decide which airline to use, and find contact details. People have commented on how helpful it is to have all of this airline information for free.
Many reviewers are pleased with how easy it is to use SeatGuru's website. Its customer service has also received many positive comments, saying they were helpful and easy to get in contact with.
My favorite reviews say that it's the website for tall people. You'll never have to feel cramped again if you can find the seats with extra legroom!
There are a few negative reviews among all of the positive reviews. The main reason for these reviews is inaccurate information concerning seat maps and airline information.
Many reviewers have also said that SeatGuru's information has changed over the past few years. They have noticed the inaccuracies and the lack of recent reviewer comments.
Overall, the positive reviews outweigh the negative ones. But, you can't ignore the negative feedback about incorrect information. You wouldn't want to start your next adventure with a bad seat!
If you need information fast, SeatGuru has it ready for you. Using it in conjunction with airline websites will give you plenty of information to go ahead and select the seat of your dreams.
Are There SeatGuru Alternatives?
If you're looking for alternatives to SeatGuru, they're out there!
There are various other platforms and tools designed to make your flight experience as comfortable as possible. I'll list the top 3 below:
- SeatMaestro: Much like SeatGuru, SeatMaestro offers detailed seat maps and airline info. It covers various airlines and can help you find the best seat for your upcoming flight.
- Skytrax: Known for its airline and airport reviews, Skytrax also offers comprehensive information about airline seats and in-flight amenities.
- ExpertFlyer: This is a paid service that offers a lot more than just seat advice. You can check seat availability in real-time, get alerts for seat openings, and even view detailed airline award and upgrade availability.
You should also remember actual airline websites. Many airlines provide their own seat maps during the booking process, complete with details about each seat's features. Some even offer virtual cabin tours.
I often find myself going to official air carrier website to browse the different aircrafts. This is because I find it to be the most reliable source.
Is SeatGuru Worth It?
The bottom line is yes, SeatGuru is worth a try! The airline information, seat maps, and cheap flights provide travelers with an excellent platform.
Let's put it this way, there is not a shortage of information on SeatGuru. If you're tall, prefer a specific seat, or you're just like me and want good entertainment and food on a flight, I wouldn't hesitate to use SeatGuru.
But the negative reviews shouldn't be ignored. Incorrect information can be a deal breaker. Reviewers also mentioned that SeatGuru had changed in recent years, and not for the better!
Moral of the story: If you want to use SeatGuru, make sure to compare the information it provides to that of airline websites.
Overall, if you need general information on airlines and seats, SeatGuru is the website for you.
It can help you choose the perfect seat on the plane with a little help from your airline's website. No more cramped seats, sitting by a smelly toilet, or being blocked in by a sleeping traveler.
The perfect seat does exist, and it's waiting to take you on your next adventure!
Our Rating: 3.9/5
Pros
- Free to use
- Over 175 airlines featured
- Cheap flights
- Easy-to-use website
- Finally released a mobile app
Cons
- Inaccurate information in some cases
- Not regularly updated with the latest seat maps
Ready for Takeoff?
Before you head off on your next adventure, make sure you pick the right seat for ultimate comfort! If you're ready to take to the skies, remember to have all your plans organized in Pilot.