Tips for picking the perfect airline seat every time
What used to occur only on discount airlines has now spread to premium international carriers and to all cabins – even business class. Here is how to navigate this added expense.
It’s the nasty little fee many premium airlines have snuck into their booking process, designed purely to milk extra money from travellers.
The seat selection or seat assignment fee has been around on low-cost carriers forever, but it’s becoming more commonplace on full-service airlines, particularly on international flights. Although most apply the fee only to passengers who opt for the cheapest economy fares, others encourage customers to pay extra to select a seat on booking.
The alternative is to leave it to chance and be allocated a seat on check-in from what remains at no extra cost.
Jay Sorensen, who heads the IdeaWorks Company, which monitors airline ancillary revenue, says income from seat selection is now almost as valuable to airlines as that from checked baggage.
“It’s traditionally a method used by low-cost carriers and to see so many traditional airlines or global network airlines go down this path has been surprising to me,” he says. “I think they risk cheapening their brand by charging fees for seat assignment, particularly when they promote themselves as a premium product. Sometimes the thirst for revenue gets in the way of common sense, and this seems to be a case of that.”
Adele Eliseo, a frequent flyer and publisher of travel website The Champagne Mile, says taking a chance and not paying is fine for solo travellers, but can be problematic for families. “Sometimes the fees can be quite high, and it can be hard to justify that kind of charge on top of what you’re already paying for the fare,” says Eliseo.
British Airways is among airlines that invite economy-class passengers to “select a seat” in the booking process for $92 on long-haul routes or wait until 24 hours before departure. That price is only the start, however, with more desirable seats such as those on the window or aisle of the economy cabin $133 or $150 to select. Even a business class fare doesn’t guarantee your seat of choice on BA, with selection in the premium cabin $192 for the centre row, rising to $214 for the window.
Qatar Airways also charges business class passengers for seat selection, albeit those on less expensive “business classic” fares. Costs start at $112.50 a passenger for shorter trips, such as Doha-London, rising to $176.50 for Doha-Sydney. And travellers booking a flight with two or more sectors will be charged for seat selection on each leg. Economy classic fares sold by Qatar also carry an extra slug for seat selection, starting at $35.80 for shorter flights, rising to $67.10 for a standard seat on a longer flight, or $96.90 for preferred seating.
The difference between “standard” and “preferred” in economy usually means sitting in a middle seat at the back of the plane (standard), or scoring a window or aisle seat (preferred). Extra-leg-room seats, such as those in bulkhead or exit rows, carry a much heftier price tag of about $270 on Qatar, and the equivalent or much more on other carriers.
On Qantas, seat selection fees are restricted to a certain pool of international travellers, usually bronze frequent flyers or those who are not members of the airline’s loyalty program, travelling on economy sale fares. The further the flight, the more it costs, with seat selection on short hops to Norfolk Island and Noumea starting from $40 one way, and long-haul trips to New York, London, Rome and Paris from $70. Other Qantas international travellers of silver, bronze or no status who have bought more flexible economy fares have the option of selecting a “preferred” seat in the front of the economy cabin for between $15 and $80.
Emirates also hits up economy customers for seat selection, with the exception of top-tier Skywards and Qantas Frequent Flyer members or those travelling on the most flexible fares. Others will pay an extra $15 to $45 for a “regular” seat or between $20 and $140 for a preferred seat. Emirates “business special” fare customers can select a seat free of charge, but only when check-in opens 48 hours before departure.
Singapore Airlines provides seat selection privileges to its first and business class guests, while premium economy passengers have the option to pay $135 for an extra-legroom seat. Economy flex fares entitle passengers to free seat selection in standard and forward zone seats at the time of booking but economy “lite” travellers will pay from $15 to $52 to pick a standard seat in advance, depending on the flight distance.
A similar approach is taken by United Airlines, with only the cheapest fares attracting seat selection fees and even then travellers can still choose a middle row seat near the back of the flight for no extra charge. For something a bit more comfortable, passengers face forking out an additional $90, or as much as $340, for extra leg room in economy.
Similar to British Airways, Cathay Pacific encourages economy class travellers to secure their seat of choice for a fee when booking, or wait until check-in to select a seat from those available at no cost, other than extra-legroom seats. For economy essential fares, regular seats are included for those happy to sit in a middle seat in the rear cabin. However, economy lite fare passengers face a $61.20 fee for a regular seat or paying $76.10 for a “preferred seat”.
Helpfully, however, airlines are generally upfront about seat selection fees, explaining what is and isn’t included in different fare types. For example, on the On Delta Air Lines website, customers contemplating a “basic economy” fare for Sydney-LA are warned seats will be assigned after check-in and “not together”. Prospective passengers are then invited to “upgrade to select seats” for a $130 fee.
Robyn Ironside is The Australian’s aviation writer.
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