What Happens If You Don't Reserve Your Seats on a Plane? (2024)

FAQs

What Happens If You Don't Reserve Your Seats on a Plane? ›

Airlines will assign you an unclaimed seat when you check in if you haven't paid to pick one in advance.

Skipping seat selection doesn't mean you won't get a seat on the flight. You might get stuck in the middle seat if you don't pay for one. Even if seat selection is free, you might want to skip it if only lousy seats are available (see the "upgrade hack” below).

If you do not purchase a seat assignment, one will be randomly assigned free of charge. However, your party may be separated.

Which seats are the best on the plane? You'll get more options if you pre-book your seat! You'll beat everyone who only selects their seats in the phase of online check-in and airport check-in. Chances are that your prefered seat might be gone if you don't pre-book your seat.

If the flight is not too full, you can get a non-middle seat at check-in without paying. Some airlines allow their high-ranking frequent flyers to get some or all economy seats without paying extra. Book a higher class of travel. Anything above economy usually does not charge more for seat selection.

Airlines will assign you an unclaimed seat when you check in if you haven't paid to pick one in advance.

If you book a reasonable time ahead and ask the airline to seat your family together, it will try to accommodate you, though you might have to call to make your request.

If your seat number does not appear on your boarding pass, your seat will be assigned at the gate before you board.

The airline has blocked seats

If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight. If you see a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, you may be in luck.

If you're unable to choose a seat, we'll assign you one at check-in or at the departure gate.

What happens if you don't pre-book seats on a plane? ›

If you don't pre-book your seats, they will be allocated when you check in online or at the airport on a first come, first served basis. Please note that seats across the aisle or in the row behind or in front are classed as 'together'.

If you don't, you will be randomly allocated a seat on the flight. Some airlines allow free seat selection, whereas others allow you to pay a small fee.

In case you don't wish to purchase a preferred seat you can always select any free seat available or would be assigned a seat free of charge at the time of check-in at the airport.

Log into your carrier's app. Many airlines provide information such as seat maps that are accessible via their apps and websites before the day of travel. These maps will show you the layout of every seat on the plane and whether it's been booked or not.

Early Check-In: Check in as early as possible to increase your chances of selecting better seats. Request at the Gate: Politely ask the gate agent if any preferred seats are available closer to departure. Travel During Off-Peak Times: Flights that are less full may have more available preferred seats.

Southwest Airlines is not included here, because it's an outlier: It doesn't charge for — or allow — seat selection at all. So, which airlines don't charge for seat selection? Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are the only airlines that allow passengers to select a seat for free, though it may be near the back of the plane.

Checking in: Follow the step-by-step on-screen instructions to complete the check-in process. This will include confirming passenger details and selecting seats and meals. If you don't choose a seat during check-in, a seat will be auto-assigned to you.

Kids will normally be assigned the adjacent seats for no cost during check-in, and if they aren't, they can talk to the agent at the counter. If they're still not together upon boarding, flight attendants can also help. Families are recommended to check in 24 hours before departure.

You will likely get assigned a seat during check-in (though you should still skip it if the airline tries to tack on a fee) or, at the very least, at the gate. Again: You don't have to select a seat in order to get a seat. You just might get stuck with a suboptimal one if you choose to skip it.