Should you pay for seat selection?

No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat. By the way, you shouldn't pay baggage fees either, you can read our article about that. I personally flew on well above 100 flights where I was offered the privilege of choosing a seat for a fee, and I've never paid a single dollar for that.



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After you finish booking your flight (or during the process, depending on the airline), you should click to view the seat map and make your pick. If you book your flight with friends or family members on the same reservation, they will likely be assigned seats nearby automatically.

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However, it is now becoming more common for full service airlines to charge for reservations. For low-cost carriers, the lack of an allocated seat is often justified due to the low initial fare. By charging a premium for choice, these carriers can keep unallocated seats at a reasonable ticket price.

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Timing plays an important part. Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.

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The best seats on a plane
  • Best seat for minimizing the effects of turbulence: A seat over the wing.
  • Best seat for peace and quiet: A seat near the front.
  • Best seat for legroom: A bulkhead or exit-row seat.
  • Best seat for sleeping: A window seat in a bulkhead row.


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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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Enjoy free seat selection – excluding exit row seats on long-haul flights – from the time of booking for everyone in your party. Exit row seats on long-haul flights can be selected for free from 24 hours before departure.

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Some parents assume they will automatically be seated with their kids. Others may end up separated from their families if they are rebooked due to a cancellation. Regardless of the reason, airlines are not legally required to seat families together.

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With a Basic ticket (economy, hand baggage only), you can either: Pay to choose your seat from when you book until check-in opens, or. We'll allocate you a seat for free when check-in opens. You can then pay to change to a different seat, although your choice may be limited.

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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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The reported reason why airlines routinely oversell their seats is to recover costs the airline incurs for seat cancellations and for travelers who do not show up to take the flight. (On any given flight, some number of previously allocated seats go empty just before departure.)

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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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Seat assignment Most airlines assign booked seats before your flight; see Planning your flight. A few airlines do not assign seats (e.g., Southwest), but do assign you a boarding group based on how early you confirm your flight on-line within 24 hours of the flight.

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Fortunately there are a few ways to not pay the British Airways seat selection fee that applies to Economy, Premium Ecconomy, and Business Class:
  1. Executive Club / Oneworld Elite Status. ...
  2. Flexible Tickets: Free Seat Selection. ...
  3. Traveling with an Infant Under 2: Free Seat Selection. ...
  4. Disability Requires Specific Seating.


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During the Online check-in, you may confirm the seat number that you have selected, or to select another seat. Please note that seat change is eligible until one hour before the flight departs. Please also be sure to issue a new boarding pass after you have changed seats.

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British Airways 787-9 Premium Economy Class The best seats are in row 16 due to the extra legroom at the front. You can find the 787-9 flown on the following U.S. routes: Atlanta (ATL) – London-Heathrow (LHR) on BA 226.

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