Customers who have purchased Basic Economy and are traveling in a group won't be able to sit together unless advance seat assignments are purchased and seats are available. If you're traveling with a child under 12, we have new tools that make it easier for them to sit next to a family member for free.

Yes, you can sit together on United Airlines, but the ease of doing so depends heavily on your "Fare Class." If you purchase a Standard Economy, Premium Economy, or Polaris ticket, you can select your seats at the time of booking. If seats next to each other are available, you can secure them immediately. However, if you purchase a "Basic Economy" ticket, you do not get to pick your seat for free; the system assigns them automatically at check-in, often splitting up groups. To sit together on a Basic Economy fare, you must pay a "seat selection fee" for each person. For families traveling with children under 12, United implemented a policy in 2023 (continuing through 2026) that uses a "dynamic seat map" to help families sit together for free, even on Basic Economy fares, by opening up "Preferred" seats if necessary. To ensure the best results, it is always advisable to book as early as possible and avoid Basic Economy if sitting with your travel companion is a high priority for your journey.