AUD | EN

Deals

Explore

Support

Meet neighbour-free seating: Your guarantee of an empty seat next to you on a plane

Traveloka Team

2 min read

Hate sharing a row with strangers but can’t afford an upgrade?? Neighbour-free seating lets you pay to keep the seat next to you empty. It's extra space, a bit of peace, and no awkward elbow battles.

More airlines are offering it now, but there’s a catch: it’s not always guaranteed. Here's what to know before you fork out.

Which airlines offer neighbour-free seating?

How much does neighbour-free seating cost?

Depends on the airline, route, and how full the flight is. You’ll pay this on top of your normal fare and, in most cases, on top of any standard seat selection fee.

Here’s a rough idea:

Qantas: AU$30-65 for domestic, AU$100-225 for international.

Virgin Australia: Starts around AU$30 (bid-based).

Emirates: AU$80-240 per seat, paid at the airport.

Fiji Airways: Around AU$48 for flights from Australia to Fiji.

Booking a window and an aisle vs neighbour-free seating

Some travellers try to “hack” extra space by booking the window and aisle in a row of three, hoping no one picks the middle.

Here’s how this trick compares to neighbour-free seating:

Window + aisle trick

Free if you’re already paying for seat selection.

Works best on quiet flights.

Not guaranteed; someone might get that seat.

Staff may reseat you if needed.

Neighbour-free option

Costs extra.

System blocks that seat from sale.

Higher certainty, even if still subject to rare overrides.

Refundable if the seat ends up reassigned.

Verdict: If the flight’s looking empty, the window + aisle move might work. But if you want peace of mind, especially on longer flights where you’ll be trying to get some sleep, paying for neighbour-free is the safer bet.

Is the empty seat yours?

Sort of. You’re not buying it like a second ticket, but you are paying for the right to keep it empty. That means:

You can stretch out or put your bag down (within reason).

You can’t store luggage there or use it for kids or bassinets.

If someone ends up in that seat:

Let the crew know; they can check the seat map and move the person.

The seat may have been reassigned due to a full flight or aircraft change; you’ll usually get the neighbour-free fee refunded.

If someone in your row slides into your empty seat mid-flight, have a quiet word with the cabin crew. They’ve got your back.

Overall, is paying for neighbour-free seating worth it?

Yes, if:

You’re on a long or overnight flight.

You care about personal space or need extra room.

You're flying a packed route where an empty seat is rare.

Probably not worth it if:

The flight is short and cheap.

It’s a quiet day, and you can move after takeoff.

The fee is more than the cost of your actual fare.

If the neighbour-free add-on is less than 20 - 30% of your fare, and you value space, it’s usually a pretty solid deal.

How do you book neighbour-free seating?

It depends on the airline, but here’s how most of them do it:

Online

Check under “extras” or “seat selection”.

Pay to block the seat next to you.

App or email invite

Some airlines send you a link 48 - 72 hours before takeoff.

You’ll see the price and can book straight from there.

At the airport

A few carriers only offer this at check-in.

Pay at the counter if there’s still room.

Can you book neighbour-free seating on Traveloka?

Yep. If you’ve booked your flight on Traveloka, you’re all set to score a neighbour-free seat if the airline offers it for your route. Some let you add it through “Manage Booking” or during check-in, while others might ping you with an email offer a day or two before you fly.

Not every airline sells these seats online; some only offer them at the check-in desk, so it’s worth asking when you drop your bags.

Book your next flight on Traveloka and snag the seat that suits you best.