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Find a Better Seat

Flying can be a big pain in 2013. You still have to take off your shoes at security. You're forking over big bucks for airline fees. Alec Baldwin still can't play Words with Friends during take-off and taxi. Ugh.

Your seat assignment doesn't have to be painful, too. Chris Lopinto, president and co-founder of ExpertFlyer.com shares 7 Steps to Finding the Best Airline Seat.

Click ahead to end your days of getting stuck in a middle seat between a sticky-handed toddler and the dude who must not have showered today (or yesterday).

Take a look at which type of aircraft you'll be flying to understand the layout.

1. Get to Know the Aircraft

The first step is know what type of aircraft you'll be in. Lopinto explains after that, check websites like SeatGuru.com that show you the graphic layout for every model of plane you'll find domestically.

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2. Find Out What's Available

Airlines won't show you every seat that's available on their website, but Lopinto's does. ExpertFlyer.com shows you which seats are filled on a flight up to 11 months in advance. If you find an open seat you like, call the airline to specially request that assignment.

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3. Not All Aircraft Types are the Same

Loptino says don't assume all aircraft models are the same. Not every 787 or 737 is built the same way inside. Be sure to investigate the ones your specific airline will fly.

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4. Not All Exit Rows are the Same

You may not realize it, but some exit rows have less flexibility. Lopinto explains if you're on a plane with two exit rows back-to-back, you should know seats in the front row won't recline. That's a safety precaution to make sure the exit rows aren't blocked.

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5. Airlines Save the Best for Last

Just like the hit 1992 love song, airlines also save the best seats for last so they can assign them to their elite passengers. Lopinto says if you aren't happy with your seat assignment, ask to view the "blocked" seats at the ticket counter.

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6. Changing the Fleet

Airlines are upgrading and retrofitting older planes, so sometimes the seating arrangement will "vary among the same aircraft for a particular airline," Lopinto writes, especially for First and Business class sections of the plane.

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7. Beware the Lie-Flat Seat "Lie"

International travelers love airlines that offer seats that can go completely flat. But Lopinto says beware that some seats billed as "lie-flat" seats only go partially down, forcing you into an uncomfortable wedge position. He says be sure you know which type of seat you're buying before you spend the extra money.