Choosing your seat on the plane

Your seat isn't a lottery. You can reserve it ahead of time, choose it during online check-in, or pay for a specific row right when you book. Below we cover when a seat is free, what airlines charge extra for, and how to improve your chances of sitting together as a family.

In short

You can choose a seat at booking, during online check-in, or for an extra fee in advance. Emergency-exit and extra-legroom seats are usually paid. If you skip the choice, a free seat is typically assigned automatically at check-in. All your bookings and seat options live in My bookings.

01 / WhenWhen you can pick a seat

There are three points at which seat selection opens up. The earlier you act, the more seats are still free and the better your chance of getting the spot you want.

Moment	What's available	Cost
At booking	Most seats in the cabin	Free, or a fee for premium rows
In advance, before check-in	Seat change and paid rows	Often for a fee
During online check-in	Remaining free seats	Usually free

If you choose nothingAt check-in the system will assign a seat automatically — free of charge, but with no guarantee it'll be by the window or next to your companion.

02 / PaidWhich seats usually cost extra

Airlines set aside part of the cabin as "premium comfort" seats and charge for them. Whether there's a fee, and how much, depends on the carrier and the fare — the exact amount is always shown at the seat-selection step.

At emergency exits — more legroom, but with requirements for the passenger (age, ability to help in an evacuation).
Extra-legroom rows — front rows and bulkhead rows.
Window seats and rows just behind business class — often classed as "preferred".
On low-cost fares, any pre-selected row can carry a fee.

Exit-row seats come with conditionsExit rows are generally off-limits to children, passengers travelling with infants, and anyone unable to assist in an evacuation. If that's you, pick another row so you're not reseated at the desk.

03 / HowHow to pick a seat on Sales.Travel

Open your booking

Go to My bookings and select the flight.

Open seat selection

Tap "Choose seat" to open the cabin map with occupied and free rows.

Mark your seat

Paid rows are highlighted separately with the fee shown; free rows have no price label.

Confirm

If the row is paid, settle the fee; the seat is then locked to you and appears in your booking.

TipIf the seat you want isn't on the map yet, it may open up closer to departure. Check again when online check-in opens.

04 / TogetherHow to sit together as a family

The main rule is simple: choose seats early. The closer to departure, the fewer paired seats are left, and automatic assignment may scatter you across different rows.

01Select seats for everyone on the booking in one go — that gives the system the best chance to keep you adjacent.
02If no free pairs are next to each other, paying for adjacent seats is usually cheaper than premium rows.
03With small children, avoid exit rows — you can't be seated there.

If you ended up split upMessage us in chat or via @sales_travel_bot, or call 8 800 100-06-46 — we'll do our best to reseat you together before departure.

05 / FAQFrequently asked

Can I pick a seat for free?

Often, yes. A free seat is frequently assigned at online check-in, and sometimes you can pick one at no charge already at booking. It's usually the exit-row and extra-legroom seats that cost extra.

What if I don't choose a seat at all?

The system assigns one automatically at check-in — free, but with no guarantee of a window, an aisle, or sitting next to your companion.

Will my seat survive a flight change?

If the aircraft or the time changes, your seat may change too. If you paid for a premium row, contact us — we'll help find an equivalent seat or refund the fee.

Where do I see my chosen seat?

The seat number appears in your booking under My bookings and on the boarding pass after check-in.

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