Can I select seat before check-in?

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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Checking-in online allows you to check in for your flight earlier than if you waited until you got to the airport, which means there will be more seats available to choose from.

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If you don't check in, you won't receive a boarding pass that allows you to board the plane, and your seat might be given up to a standby passenger. The check-in process also confirms your traveler details like your passport information and frequent flyer number.

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If you did not opt to purchase Pick-A-Seat during flight booking or via My Bookings or web check-in 4 hours prior to flight departure, your seat numbers will be assigned automatically when you check-in. Your seat number will be shown on the boarding pass upon completion of check-in.

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With Basic Economy, you'll automatically be assigned a seat before boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's assigned. Advance seat assignments may be available for purchase during booking and up until check-in opens.

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After takeoff, passengers are free to move about the cabin without fear of disrupting critical weight distribution. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's OK to take over empty seats without warning.

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However, there are ways you can achieve this for free.
  1. Pick your airline carefully. ...
  2. Check-in early. ...
  3. Make a specific request. ...
  4. Ask another passenger to swap seats. ...
  5. Sit near the front or the back. ...
  6. Use a seat map. ...
  7. Choose a window seat. ...
  8. Select extra legroom.


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It just means that your seats aren't assigned yet. The seatmap doesn't show all available seats because not all seats are assignable in advance. You will get seats at check-in or at the gate.

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Depending on the requirements of airport authorities, you will need to present a mobile boarding pass, a paper boarding pass printed out by you or a paper boarding pass picked up from the check-in desk.

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Checking in for a flight early or late comes down to more personal preference than anything else. As long as you check in before the window closes, you'll (most likely) get a seat on the aircraft. But, being strategic, one way or the other, might bag you a better one.

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You can choose a seat or change your seat assignment for most United- and United Express®-operated flights on united.com, on the United app or through your travel agent. If no seat assignments are available, you can check back closer to departure to see whether seats have become available.

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Check-In Times at U.S. Airports When you're traveling within the United States, we make the suggestion to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.

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Saving time on the long airport check-in lines. Allowing you the option to choose your seats before even reaching the airport. The possibility of paying a lower fee checked baggage than you would if you paid in-person at the time of airport check-in. Skipping the line!

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It means exactly what it says - Your seat will be assigned at the gate. Usually, this happens when the flight is full, or even oversold. At the time you bought your ticket, you either did not select a seat or no seats were available.

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Passengers can inquire about overbooking by contacting their respective airlines or using apps that show available seats per cabin. If your flight is overbooked, airlines will usually ask for volunteers to give up their seats and offer compensation in return.

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