There is no fee to choose your seats if you book a first-class, business-class, premium economy or main cabin fare. However, you will have to pay a fee to choose your seats if you choose basic economy tickets — American's least expensive (and most restrictive) fare type.

In 2026, the answer is "frequently, yes," unless you are traveling with young children. Most major airlines now use "Preferred Seating" models where aisle and window seats, or seats near the front of the cabin, require an extra fee to reserve in advance. If you book a "Basic Economy" ticket, you are typically assigned a seat at random, which often separates groups. However, a major 2026 legislative victory in several regions (including the US and EU) now prohibits airlines from charging "family seating fees" for children under the age of 14, requiring airlines to seat them next to at least one accompanying adult for free. For adults traveling together, the most peer-approved way to sit together without paying is to check in exactly 24 hours before departure when the remaining "free" seats are released, though availability is never guaranteed in 2026's high-load-factor environment.