Interesting article this although Ryanair didn’t seem to like it!!
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Yep! Always book this method with most airlines, definitely cheaper in 99% of cases 
Like @Brightlight I don’t choose a seat on short haul and never had a middle seat.
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All good advice we use regularly. I rarely choose seats anyway for short flights and only occasionally have been split up - when I was delayed checking in online.
I would add another tip, with European budget airlines. Play with the currency the flight is priced in. I experimented with a flight from Valencia to Budapest last year. The flight in Forints (originally presented) was significantly more expensive in AUD (my base currency) than if I switched over to Euro on the Wizz Air platform.
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I always do that, don’t care where i sit on a short haul flight. Ryanair are cashless now, also no paper boarding passes, all done through the app.
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I did read of a couple not picking a seat, only to discover at boarding the plane type had changed which apparently meant they were one seat short therefore only one of them could fly. Rare I should think but something to consider. After getting caught with luggage marginally too big twice, we are now super vigilant when using Ryan.
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Easyjet seem to use a similar technique of offering a choice of fares early on in the booking process, which means you may end up paying for more services (eg. speedy boarding, seat choice) and luggage weight than you actually need.
If you’re not bothered about choosing a seat, stick with the cheapest fare initially - which only includes a bag small enough to fit under the seat in front - and you can add a choice of weights for hold luggage at a later stage.
I spotted this the last time I booked flights, but wonder how many times I’ve been ‘tricked’ into paying more than I needed to in the past.
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It’s worth noting that for EasyJet the window seat has a curved wall so there’s less space for your underseat bag. It’s a very small space.
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