SeatGuru Closes After Two Decades: Best Alternatives for Business Travelers to Find Ideal Seats

Published on December 1, 2025

SeatGuru, an site that helped millions of frequent flyers pick the best seats on an airplane, has closed after almost 24 years of operation. SeatGuru was created by Matthew Daimler in 2001 and was primarily targeted to travelers who needed to access airplane seating charts and who needed advice about which seats to avoid. Provided with a color-coded seating chart, travelers could see which seats on the plane were good (green) and which were bad (red). This helped passengers (and still, to an extent, helps passengers) avoid seats that had little leg room, were in front of and misaligned with the windows, and that were in front of the galley and bathroom.

TripAdvisor bought SeatGuru in 2007 and updated the site in 2020, but by that time the computer and design code were frozen in time, and the database of seating charts had gone stagnant. After the TripAdvisor buy, the site and color indicators designed to help travelers were prepared to close. For business travelers who used the site to help them pick an informed seat, this closing contributed to a noticeable problem.

The Need for Accurate Seat Maps and Alternatives

As airlines continue to charge premium fees for seat selection, from extra legroom to preferred window seats, travelers are finding that accurate seat information has become crucial. Recently, passengers have even filed lawsuits over discrepancies between what they paid for and what they received, especially in cases where they booked window seats only to discover no window was available.

Unfortunately, airline-supplied seat maps rarely highlight poor seat locations or emphasize the frequent changes in cabin layouts due to refurbishments. With more passengers opting to choose their seats ahead of time, the need for reliable third-party seat map sources has grown significantly.

Fortunately, two major alternatives have emerged to fill the gap left by SeatGuru:

AeroLOPA: The Gold Standard in Accuracy

For business travelers and aircraft enthusiasts, AeroLOPA is quickly becoming the most trusted alternative. Known for its technical precision, AeroLOPA offers meticulously detailed cabin diagrams that include seat measurements, recline information, IFE screen sizes, and Wi-Fi availability. What sets AeroLOPA apart is its focus on window alignment an essential feature for many travelers who value an unobstructed view.

As a platform that provides in-depth information for the aviation-savvy traveler, AeroLOPA is ideal for those who prioritize technical accuracy when selecting seats. The platform also features user-generated content that can highlight issues or irregularities on aircraft types, offering additional insights not found on official airline websites.

SeatMaps.com: User-Friendly and Practical for Casual Travelers

While AeroLOPA excels in technical detail, SeatMaps.com offers an experience that is reminiscent of SeatGuru’s user-friendly design. SeatMaps.com provides color-coded layouts, which makes it easy to identify the best and worst seats, just like SeatGuru once did. In addition, SeatMaps.com incorporates crowd-sourced seat ratings, allowing users to share their experiences and insights, particularly regarding seat comfort, legroom, and other factors that affect the passenger experience.

One feature that sets SeatMaps.com apart is its inclusion of 360-degree cabin tours, which offer an interactive way for travelers to explore the seating arrangements before booking. This is particularly helpful for those who prefer a quick and reliable overview of available seating options without delving too deeply into technical details.

The site also provides helpful information on baggage rules, pet policies, and other essential travel tips, making it an ideal alternative for casual travelers who need a fast, reliable resource for seat selection.

The Future of Seat Selection and Airline Travel Tools

While the closure of SeatGuru marks the end of an era for many frequent flyers, the shift to alternatives like AeroLOPA and SeatMaps.com provides an exciting new era of seat selection tools. These platforms not only offer detailed, accurate seat maps but also include user-generated insights and features that help travelers make informed decisions. With the increasing importance of digital tools in modern travel, these sites will continue to play an important role in shaping how passengers approach seat selection.

As the trend of customizing travel experiences continues to rise, particularly among business travelers, these platforms are likely to evolve with even more innovative features potentially offering integration with booking systems, real-time updates on seating availability, and personalized recommendations based on passenger preferences.

What Business Travelers Should Do Now

For business travelers looking to make the most of their seat selections in the wake of SeatGuru’s closure, the advice is clear: consult AeroLOPA for in-depth technical details or SeatMaps.com for a quick, interactive guide to the best and worst seats. These platforms offer up-to-date, accurate information that is essential for travelers seeking comfort and convenience on long-haul flights.

Moreover, it’s essential to check airline-specific policies on ticketing, seat reservations, and boarding procedures well ahead of time. By doing so, travelers can minimize surprises and ensure their flight experience is smooth and enjoyable, even in the face of a rapidly evolving travel landscape.