Reserving airline seats ahead (for a fee)

If you want nice seats and be able to sit together your only option is to book them now. On a long haul flight I sure wouldn't want to bet that I would get a nice seat at the boarding gate. Another reason to "love" the airlines!

I just suck it up and pay, if I happen to be using an airline that charges--I travel solo and have been able to get an aisle or window seat upon check-in, but I'd prefer to ensure I get to sit where I want.

Just suck it up and pay. It's one thing on a short haul flight but overseas you want to be comfortable.

Always book seats in advance...especially on long flights. Our nearest airport includes Delta and there's no fee for seat assignments. Delta/KLM/Air France are tied together...so have you tried each website for best total pricing?

What kind of plane is the long-haul flight? On many 777's there are pairs of seats at the back of the Economy section ( behind the rows that have three abreast). These are well worth paying for if flying as a couple.

Try booking those flights on their partner, Delta, and see if there's any total price difference.

I'm in the minority - probably because I just don't care enough to pay extra. I take my chances and just specify an aisle seat on my preferences. It's unclear whether you literally have to wait until last minute to get an assigned seat or whether avoiding paying just means that you can ask for one a bit later (but not right before the flight). I've found that calling the airline a bit in advance (or doing it online) has worked - all I want in an economy aisle seat and I haven't had trouble getting it. If you value it enough, then pay extra but I think the airlines are trying to purposely create a feeling of "scarcity" and "all or nothing" - meaning you'll be stuck with the worst (or none) if you don't pay up now. Out of principle, I just won't play that game - I don't care enough. I'm willing to live with the consequences of getting a seat assignment later - I'll let the best seats go to others if they care to prebook.

Not all airline seats are created equal. Seat Guru is a good website to help you decide.

" It is unclear whether you literally have to wait until the last minute to get an assigned seat. . ."

The way it works with most airlines that charge for choosing seats in advance, you either pay the fee, or you " literally" wait until online check-in opens, 24 hours in advance. At that time, you will be assigned a seat from the ones that are left after the elite status passengers and the ones who pay have chosen their preferred seats. Couples will be seated together, assuming there are pairs of seats left. ( Families with children generally can choose seats somewhat earlier than the 24-hour mark, like 3 days or more, so they get first crack at the empty seats).

If you do not pay and do not like the seat you are assigned at check-in, you can change it for free at that time, assuming there is one you like better. People who wait until check-in to choose seats will all be angling to get the best of what's left, so you do need to be on the computer right at the 24-hour mark.

If the airline has a "paid" selection policy it will do no good to call ahead and ask for a seat for free.

Whether there will be decent seats left if you wait til check-in is anyone's guess. I have followed discussions of this on Flyertalk and it seems that more and more people are paying rather than aking a chance. But I can see why you would balk at $240 extra.

It is indeed annoying if they make you pay for all four flights or none---it makes so much more sense to pay to choose good seats just on the longhaul flight. You might follow the advice above and check the policies and prices on the three airline websites---Delta, KLM, and Air France.

Just a note so that the impression isn't left that all airlines charge to book a seat in advance. There are still airlines that allow seat selection in advance (at time of booking or anytime after) for no extra fee. I make it a point to give my business to those airlines if practical. Enjoy your trip!