Why You Should Check the Plane Model Before You Book Your Next Flight

Mar 20, 2025

A detailed seat map is your best asset.

Looking up a plane's model before you book your flight can help you plan your in-flight experience and choose the best seat. For one, an airline’s cabin layouts and seats may vary even within the same class from plane to plane, determining how comfortable your flight might be. Different plane models offer varying in-seat amenities and sizing for overhead compartments and underseat storage, too. So not only can you save your carry-on from getting gate-checked by knowing for sure it will fit in the overhead cabin, but you can also be prepared in the event your seat does not have a plug for charging devices.

Perhaps most importantly, different airplane models offer varying seat pitches which means the amount of legroom can vary, even in economy class. In-flight entertainment options can differ, too, so you’ll want to see what your plane has on board — and download movies, podcasts, or TV shows before you go to avoid hours of boredom.

If you've got a long-haul trip on the horizon, here's how to look up the plane model for your next flight.

Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

There are several ways to check which airplane model you could be flying. The most straightforward way to check is by looking at your chosen airline’s reservation page. Many airlines list the aircraft type on their ticketing pages, so you’ll know before booking.

If your reservation does not list the airplane model for the flight you're looking at, you can try using FlightAware to find the information for the same flight leaving that day or within the next few days. You can plug in your intended route — New York to Paris, for example — click on a flight from the airline you're considering, then the aircraft details will appear in the right-hand column. Cross-reference this with the seat map for that model, and you will have a pretty good estimate of your in-flight amenities until your flight gets closer and you can confirm your aircraft model.

SeatGuru allows users to pop in their travel date and flight number (or their travel date, origin airport, and destination), and it will spit out a seat map of the flight. On the left column of the page, you’ll see helpful information, including the aircraft type, the airline’s baggage policies, information on traveling with children, and the airline’s check-in policy.

On the right column, you’ll find information on the plane’s seat configurations, width, and pitch divided by class of service. Travelers can also find information on in-seat amenities like headphone jacks, power adaptors, Wi-Fi, and food offerings. The maps on SeatGuru even list the best (in green) and worst (in red) seats on the aircraft to help all travelers make informed decisions.

For example, on a Delta flight between Atlanta and New York City on an Airbus A321 (layout 2), SeatGuru suggests avoiding window seats A and F in row 12. As the site notes, the seats may be in the airline’s Comfort+ area, but because they are located in front of the emergency exit row, they may “have limited recline” and do not have an actual window view. Checking the seat map is the best way to avoid accidentally booking a windowless window seat.

SeatGuru does not work for every airline and flight and will occasionally yield empty results. If this happens, you can try to cross-check your airplane's flight model with the detailed maps on Aerolopa. The website is broken down by airline with detailed information about their fleet and specific amenities from WiFi networks and the brands of in-flight entertainment systems.