Are airlines allowed to charge for seats?

The law prohibits airlines from imposing fees that are not reasonable and proportional to the costs it incurs. But airlines really went too far when they began charging families with young children for seat assignments, sometimes even suggesting parents could be separated from their kids if they didn't pay.



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Emphatically, no. You will likely get assigned a seat during check-in (though you should still skip it if the airline tries to tack on a fee) or, at the very least, at the gate. Again: You don't have to select a seat in order to get a seat. You just might get stuck with a suboptimal one if you choose to skip it.

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You can pick your favourite spot on the plane by buying one of the seating options below. If you don't select a seat we'll assign seats randomly for free when you check in and will do all we can to ensure everyone on the booking sits together.

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You can choose your seat for free from 24 hours before departure when check-in opens, unless you've booked a Basic ticket (economy, hand-baggage only) where your seat is allocated to you.

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You can choose your seat when you're buying most tickets, through Manage Reservations after you've purchased your ticket, or during check-in.

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If you choose not to pay to reserve a seat, your seat will be assigned to you free of charge when you check in, between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to departure.

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British Airways and Virgin Atlantic will allow you to select a seat free of charge. Easyjet, Emirates, Norwegian, Jet2 and Ryanair say you'll be allocated a suitable seat free of charge.

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Ryanair's low fares are a result of clever cost-cutting tactics, such as eliminating in-flight amenities, using cheaper secondary airports, and charging for extras like drinks and snacks.

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All carry-on luggage must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you and adhere to the following requirements:
  • Maximum Dimensions of Carry-on: 22 in x 16 in x 8 in/55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm.
  • Maximum Weight of Carry-on: 22 lbs (10 kg)
  • Maximum Dimensions of Small Bag: 14 x 8 x 8 in/35 x 20 x 20 cm.


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However, this is not done intentionally, he says, or because of any change in the seat algorithm. Instead, it is because certain seats are more desirable for those booking ahead – so Ryanair have started to “hold” them. “We want to keep certain seats available for people who might want to purchase.”

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Choosing your seat at check-in If you haven't already chosen your seat, you can do so when you check in, from 24 hours before departure. This is free except on Basic (hand baggage only) fares, although your choice may be limited and a fee may still apply to exit row seats on long haul flights.

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You can pick your favourite spot on the plane by buying one of the seating options below. If you don't select a seat we'll assign seats randomly for free when you check in and will do all we can to ensure everyone on the booking sits together.

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For all fare classes, except Basic Economy, you will be able to pick your seat or change your seat assignment. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you're able to purchase a seat assignment during booking and up until check-in opens. Learn more about Basic Economy restrictions.

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Most airlines allow you to pick a different seat all the way up until boarding begins. So keep refreshing your seat map in the app and watch for an opening. You might be able to switch yourself to a row with an empty middle seat before you board.

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