FLY IN COMFORT

***FOUR WAYS TO FLY COACH IN COMFORT***

The ever-struggling airlines are slashing services, raising fees, and charging tons of money for things that used to be FREE. So knowing how to get the most for your money is important. Here are four ways to make sure you fly coach in comfort . . .

#1.) CHOOSE YOUR AIRLINE WISELY. JetBlue offers a whopping 34 inches of legroom compared to the standard 31 inches on other airlines. Southwest offers BIGGER seats and doesn't charge for pillows, blankets and in-flight snacks.

#2.) PICK YOUR SEATS CAREFULLY. Most carriers now charge extra for exit row seats, but the extra room is often worth the price. But seats IN FRONT of an exit row only recline a few inches, so avoid them if you have back problems or plan on relaxing.

--If you end up with a middle seat, ask if there are any seats between two people with the same last name. Since they're traveling together, they'll probably give up their aisle or window seat so they can sit next to each other.

#3.) CHECK IN EARLY. You can usually select seats online up to 90 days before departure, but you have another shot at it during check in. Check in online 24 hours before you board and you'll have a better chance at snagging a decent seat.

#4.) SAVE YOUR FREQUENT-FLIER MILES. Instead of using them on a free flight, rack them up until you reach "elite status". It's your golden ticket for upgrades, priority boarding, and free exit row seats.

--Plus, some airlines even waive their CHECKED LUGGAGE fees for "elite" members. (Travel & Leisure)