Most airlines charge a fee to choose a seat on the lowest Economy fares, though policies vary. Extra-legroom options, such as exit row and bulkhead seats, typically add 3–6 inches of space but can cost $15–$80 depending on the route. For example, EasyJet charges from £7.99 for seat selection, while Qatar Airways offers free seat choice on most fares except Economy Classic. To avoid extra costs and secure preferred seating, book early and check your airline’s policy.
Where to Sit: Pros & Cons
There is no perfect seat on an airplane, except perhaps the pilot’s. Every seat has advantages and drawbacks.
Window Seat
Pros
You can watch as the plane climbs up to and through the clouds, lean against the wall and no one will climb over you trying to get to the aisle.
Cons
Your mobility is limited by the wall, you have to climb over two people to get to the bathroom or stretch and you might feel a little colder because there’s no warmth coming from one side.
Aisle Seat
Pros
You don’t have to climb over anyone to get to the aisle, you won’t feel claustrophobic, and you can stretch your legs in the aisle without getting up. Plus, if you’re in a hurry to leave the plane, you have a good chance of making it to the head of the exit line.
Cons
You’re more liable to be bumped by passing passengers or the drinks cart, you won’t have much of a view and you’ll have to let two people into the aisle.
Middle Seat
None – except if you’re fortunate enough to be flanked by passengers who don’t claim the armrests.
Cons
This is the least desirable seat on the plane. You have limited space, not much of a view and you’ll need to climb over the aisle seat passenger to get to the aisle or force them to stand up to let you pass.
Exit Row Seats
An exit row seat is a seat located in the row directly adjacent to an emergency exit on an airplane. They may not be available for all passengers as those sitting in exit row seats are expected to be able and willing to assist in opening the emergency exit and guiding other passengers to safety in an emergency. So airlines have specific criteria for who can sit in exit rows.
For example, Qatar Airways requires those sitting in exit row seats to be at least 18 years of age, to be able to understand the instructions printed on the Cabin Safety Card and follow the cabin crew directions in English during an emergency evacuation. They must also be physically fit and healthy without any medical condition, pregnancy, or impairment related to mobility, hearing, vision or mental health. And they must be traveling without children or service dogs.
Pros
You’ll have more legroom and potentially board and disembark faster than other passengers. Some airlines, such as Allegiant Air, offer priority boarding to exit row passengers, after those needing special assistance and those with priority access.
Cons
The seat may be narrower, the armrests are fixed, and some exit row seats may not recline. There might also be limited storage space for carry-on bags during takeoff and landing.
Bulkhead Seats
Bulkhead seats are the seats on an airplane directly behind the interior dividing wall that separates one cabin from another.
Pros
Bulkhead seats tend to offer more legroom than standard seats and have no reclining seats in front of them, so no one will be leaning back into your space. They also provide easier aisle access as well as proximity to the front of the plane, lavatories, galleys and exit. You will also be among the first to be served food. And they are ideal for parents with infants because they offer bassinet hooks.
Most major airlines offer onboard bassinets for infants. Lufthansa provides them on all long-haul flights for babies up to 8 months old, weighing no more than 11 kg and measuring up to 67 cm. Contact your airline early to reserve one because they are limited in number.
Cons
There is no under-seat storage for belongings so that all carry-ons must be stored in overhead bins. That is why passengers with onboard pets that must be stowed under the seat are not allowed to reserve bulkhead seats. They also have no seatback entertainment systems. Instead, they’re equipped with seatback-sized screens affixed to the bulkhead barriers in front of the seat, which makes them immovable and farther away than a regular seatback screen; or they have a pop-out screen stored in the armrest. But these small armrest screens are often harder to view, can be clumsy to operate and make the armrests immovable.
Reserving a Bulkhead Seat
Not every airline offers bulkhead seating to all passengers. For example, Delta considers both bulkhead and exit-row as Preferred Seating and does not make them available for purchase to passengers flying on a Basic Economy ticket. To reserve a bulkhead seat, select it from your flight’s online seat map during the booking process. If you’re not sure which row is the bulkhead, research your aircraft’s particular configuration on sites such as SeatGuru or call your airline and ask.
| Seat Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Window Seat | • Scenic views during flight • Wall to lean against • No one climbing over you | • Limited mobility • Must climb over others to reach aisle • Can feel colder by the wall |
| Aisle Seat | • Easy access to aisle • More leg-stretching space • Faster exit at landing | • Risk of being bumped by carts/passengers • No outside view • Must let others pass into aisle |
| Middle Seat | • Possible to claim both armrests (if lucky) | • Least desirable seat • Cramped space and limited view • Must climb over aisle passenger or ask them to stand to leave |
| Exit Row | • Extra legroom • Often faster boarding/disembarkation • Some airlines offer priority boarding | • Seats may be narrower with fixed armrests • Limited carry-on storage • Some seats don’t recline |
| Bulkhead | • Extra legroom • No seat reclining into your space • Close to lavatories/galley • First to be served • Bassinet hooks for infants | • No under-seat storage • Pets not allowed • Screens farther away or in armrests (less convenient) • Fixed armrests |
Seat Selection: What to Know
Almost all airlines charge a fee for seat selection. And if you’re traveling on the cheapest Economy fare, then you will always have to pay a fee for choosing your seat, if the option is available.
Airlines with Free Seat Selection
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways offers free seat selection for passengers traveling with its Economy Comfort or Economy Convenience fares. Those traveling in Economy Classic must pay a fee that can cost between $39 and $250 per seat, depending on the specific seat and route.
Alaska Airlines
If you’re flying from San Francisco to Atlanta on the 7:10 a.m. Alaska Airlines flight under its Saver price program, which is the cheapest fare, it will cost you $50 to reserve a seat. That would raise the cost of the ticket to $278. This is exactly the price of a Main ticket, which includes free seat selection. In other words, if you want to choose a seat for free you must travel under its Main price program, which offers other benefits as well.
Seat Selection Fees Explained
Because of Dynamic Pricing, the fees for selecting a seat on a particular flight can increase from day to day or even from hour to hour. To make sure you get the cheapest price, book as early as possible.
United Airlines
The United Airlines seat selection fee depends on the type of fare you choose. The fee for selecting a seat for a Basic Economy ticket typically starts at $15 per flight, depending on your flight reservations and seat location. For passengers flying on Economy or Economy Plus tickets, fees range from $29 to $299 per flight. Fees for Preferred Seating, which concerns seats closer to the front of the plane, start at $24 per flight per person for standard Economy tickets and $36 for Basic Economy tickets.
What Happens If You Don’t Choose a Seat
If you don’t choose your seat on an airplane, the airline will automatically assign you one for free at check-in or at the gate. However, you may not get your preferred seat, such as an aisle or window seat, you could be separated from your travel companions, and you might end up with a middle seat or a seat at the back of the plane.
Seat Selection for Families & Groups
If you are traveling with a group or your family, you will usually have to pay for the privilege of being seated together. For example, if you’re traveling with children up to 11 years of age, KLM will assign your seats for free at check-in and try to seat you together. If that’s not possible, they will assign you the closest seats available. If you don’t want to take the chance, pay the fee and select your seats when booking.
Don’t Miss These Seat FAQs
1. Do all airlines charge a fee for seat selection?
No, not all airlines charge a fee, but most will if you are traveling on the lowest Economy fares. On Delta’s Basic Economy tickets, for example, seats are automatically assigned at check-in or at the gate. Higher fare classes often include free seat selection, so upgrading can save money if choosing a seat is important.
2. When is the best time to select a seat?
The best time to select a seat is at the time of booking, since this guarantees the widest choice. Waiting until check-in can leave you with limited options, especially if traveling with a group or family. Booking early also helps you avoid higher seat selection fees on popular flights.
3. What determines the price of selecting a seat?
Seat selection fees depend on your fare class, route, and seat location. Premium spots like bulkhead or exit rows usually cost more. For example, Alaska Airlines charges $50 to reserve a seat on a 6:10 a.m. San Francisco–Boston nonstop, but $80 for the 6 a.m. San Francisco–San Diego–Boston flight. Since fees fluctuate daily, it’s best to reserve early to lock in lower prices.
4. What are the best seats on an airplane?
The best seat depends on your preference. Window seats offer views, while aisle seats allow easier movement. Exit row and bulkhead seats are most popular for their extra legroom—often 3–6 inches more than standard seats. Middle seats, especially in the back of the plane, are the least desirable due to limited space and mobility.
5. How can I sit close to my friends or family members while flying?
Most airlines require a fee to guarantee seats together. KLM, for example, assigns families with children up to age 11 free seats at check-in and makes every effort to seat them together. To avoid separation, book as early as possible and pay the seat selection fee when available.
6. How can I get my preferred seat without paying a fee?
To increase your chances, book your ticket early and check in as soon as online check-in opens (usually 24 hours before departure). Some airlines also release unsold premium seats for free at the gate, so asking a gate agent politely can sometimes get you an upgrade without extra cost.