A controversial travel hack has been trending on social media, with users discussing this risky trick.
Known as “check-in chicken,” the hack involves waiting until the last minute to check in and book a seat.
The idea is that by holding out, flyers may be assigned more desirable seats like extra legroom or an exit row.
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A travel influencer shared her experience with airlines regarding “check-in chicken” on TikTok.
A new air travel trend, “check-in chicken,” has flyers getting better seats for free while waiting out the seat selection process. (iStock)
In her video, the influencer mentioned how airlines might assign less desirable seats first, hoping passengers will pay to change their seats.
She advises waiting to see what seats are left, often more spacious or at the front of the plane, before selecting one.
Also referred to as “check-in chicken,” the text on the video read.
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The influencer recommended checking in to assess the available seats without choosing one, but to keep monitoring availability to secure a good seat.
Adam Duckworth, Travelmation’s president and founder, advises against trying “check-in chicken.” (iStock)
Fox News Digital reached out to the TikTok influencer for a statement.
Adam Duckworth, Travelmation’s president and founder, warned against attempting the “check-in chicken” strategy.
He emphasized that this process can be stressful and time-consuming, with a risk of losing your seat if not executed correctly.
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Duckworth suggested factoring in flight prices into travel budgets to avoid unnecessary stress.
Instead of “check-in chicken,” some travelers have opted for a different trend called “Gate Lice” to avoid extra fees for early boarding.
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With “Gate Lice,” passengers try to board out of turn, but American Airlines is cracking down on this behavior at over 100 airports.
The airline’s technology audibly alerts when passengers attempt to board prematurely, automatically rejecting their boarding pass.
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This initiative aims to curb the issue of “gate lice” and maintain boarding order.
