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Is seat selection really a dark pattern? Exit row seats are the most worthwhile add-on to buy when flying IMO, sometimes having even more leg room than business class seats for a fraction of the cost.

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Frustratingly my GF's first ever flight was in COVID, and she wanted to ensure we sat together, so I paid for seat selection, and for an exit row.

We were one of the 10 people on the flight...including some of our friends who didn't select seats, but sat on the same row.....

Yep, that sucks. But on the other hand, overbooking is a thing, so if you buy a ticket without seat selection for a popular flight there's a chance you literally won't be let into the plane you paid for because all the seats are already taken. Happened to me once, I had to agree to a free replacement ticket to a different city in an entirely different European country (Brussels instead of Cologne) and spend about 200€ on a late night taxi to my destination.

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