Once you have established the seat pitch of the flight you may take, get 2 dining room chairs (preferably with high backs) place one in front of the other and then, from the rear seat, measure from the rear most point of the seat to the back of the seat in front. Then sit in the seat to see what space you will have. Once seated, pull the seat in front back about 5 inches. This will give you an idea of what it will be like when the seat in front is reclined.

If you are travelling as a couple, and want to be sat alone, you need to try to get onto an aircraft that has sets of 2 seats... As a rule, most very small regional aircraft have this set up. You probably won't find any on short to mid haul aircraft such as Airbus A319/A320/A321, Boeing 717/737/757. On long haul, most Airbus A330/340, Airbus A380 Upper Deck and Boeing 767 have them. However only a few Boeing 777 have them and on a Boeing 747, you need to ask for the rear 4 or 5 rows on the lower deck.

If you are after a window seat with the intention of having a view, be aware that some aircraft have "window seats" with no windows! Its hard to say where these are located on any given aircraft, but as a rule they tend to be, at the front of a cabin or near an emergency exit. On Boeing 747's, there are a few missing windows in the area just forward of the wings. Some, and Virgin Atlantic have a few of these, have windows missing on the right hand side (seat K) towards the rear around 4 rows from the back..

Do you have a fear of flying? Many people do. Your fear can range from nervousness on board right through to being completely unable to even board an aircraft. Quoting statistics like "flying is the safest form of transport" is no good. There are special courses available to help you. The only one that is run by an airline is Virgin Atlantics' "Flying Without Fear" course for more details goto http://flyingwithoutfear.info . Another good course can be found at www.flyingwithoutfear.com . 

More tips coming soon...