Paying to choose your seat on a budget airline is one of the most complained about parts of booking a holiday. In fact, airline complaints have increased by 34 per cent since 2014 and this is one of the biggest peeves for travellers - but here Express.co.uk look at how you can avoid some of these extra charges.

Paying to choose your plane seat is the biggest thing travellers complain about

Cramped seating, lost luggage, security administration are just some of the perks that come with flying with low-cost airlines.

But the biggest bug bear is the added fees that airlines seem to be adding to things that used to be included in the ticket price.

Airlines have always charged if you wanted a seat with extra leg room, but now airlines such as Ryan Air and EasyJet are even charging to select regular economy seats.

And many travellers will pay the additional fee in order to avoid sitting in that dreaded middle seat.

But how can you select your seat without the charges? Here's the travel hack. 

Wait until a few days before the flight before you select your seat.

Many airlines tend to release unsold or cancelled seats roughly 72 hours before departure.

So you get a decent seat without the added charge.

With regards to leg room - seatguru.com shares many airlines seating plans.

The site even has reviews and comments suggesting what seats to avoid, which are the best and those that have had mixed reviews.

If you have a connecting flight and want to save time, most people think sitting at the front of plane will save at least 15 minutes.

That may be true but you will again have to pay for the seat. Instead, schedule longer layovers between your flights.

This will this ensure you don’t miss your flight if there is a delay and therefore you are less likely to have to fork out for another connecting flight.

Paying to check-in luggage can also be annoying on low cost airlines.

With more and more people travelling with hand luggage now, the overhead cabin gets full.

However, if you are one of the last to board, you suitcase may go in the luggage hold and it will be free. 

The only downside is, it still does have to be hand luggage size.