I am trying to book economy seats online to Europe for May. Are there any airlines that do not charge extra to reserve a seat? Swiss Air and Lufthansa charge an extra $30 each way if you want to reserve a seat. They don't tell you that before before booking. Do you know of any airlines that do not tack on that extra fee????
Thank you!!
Hmmm, well Delta does not charge for some of their fare classes. There is a fare class they have called Basic Economy where you can't pick your seats until 24 hours ahead or at the gate but they do have higher fare classes where you can pick an economy seat without without an extra charge. However, those fares are higher than the Basic fares so you are in fact paying for the privilege.
I am picky about where I sit so I am willing to pay extra for the Comfort seats with more room.
Most U.S. national carriers (AA, United, Delta) do not charge extra for a seat reservation.
Also, if you book a flight on a partner airline via a U.S. carrier, seat reservation is usually free.
For example, I booked a KLM flight through Delta...no seat fee. Booked Lufthansa flight through United...no seat reservation fee.
I did however, have to get the booking code for the partner airline and choose the seat on their website.
Best of luck to you!
Look at the total price, meaning flight cost plus seat reservation plus add-one. I have occasionally seen British Airways come in cheaper than other major airlines even with the charge for seat selection.
Although in the past I was able to book a seat on a Lufthansa flight purchased through United Airlines, for this year's trip I was unable to do so, despite having Lufthansa's booking code and calling that airline. It sounds as if the two computer systems can't communicate with each other. I was told I have to wait until 24 hours before my flight to select a seat, which doesn't make me happy, but I'm trying to remain optimistic about getting something on the aisle.
I fly either Air Canada or Icelandic Air and neither one charges to reserve your seat or pick out your own seat. Have often moved my seat a few days before my flight when it looks like there were lots of empty seats in another section.
I am flying to Europe in May on Delta and they did not charge me anything for reserving a seat when I made the reservation.
As others have said, it depends on the airline and your departure city/destination city.
The legacy US carriers do not charge for seat selection - American Airlines, Delta & United - although I believe that they all now offer some super discounted fare which does not allow for seat selection when you book the flight.
If seat selection is important to you, then you need to book a class of fare which offers seat selection. Many partner airlines offer seat selection for free if booking though the US carrier (AA & Delta come to mind).
At the end of the day, it comes down to what's most important to you. If you don't care where you sit, then definitely go for the cheaper seat selection. If you want a window or aisle seat, then go for the fare/airline which allows you to select that option when you book your flight.
Have a great trip!!
FWIW, we have now taken Lufthansa’s Philadelphia - Frankfurt flight 10 times over the 2 directions, and since they gave up on the free seats at booking we have never had a problem getting excellent seatsa5thebeginin golf online check-in. Actually, we gotten better seats this way than when we previously selected at booking. It does not appear that many people are paying for economy seats.
I always fly BA to Europe. They charge for their seat prior to check in. While recently I've sometimes gotten lazy and have reserved a seat at purchase (well, when flying solo sometimes), most of the time I have not. Otherwise, at check in, there are always seats open and I've been able to choose an aisle seat, if they hadn't already picked one for me, as I have my preference on their system. My husband is always across the aisle from me. This is in economy class. So I don't think this is a real issue, especially if you join the airlines frequent flyer club, even if this is your first flight with them.
Another note: I've noticed that the last 3 round trip flights to Heathrow, there have been many open seats in economy, and I have not had anyone sitting next to me (my husband sits across the aisle from me if he's with me). On my travels last month, it seemed that the economy seats were more comfortable than their economy plus (or whatever they call them) because economy was so relatively sparsely occupied and the other classes were full. Many people had a vacant seat next to them. Just an FYI. Take care in picking your seat if ahead of time or at check in as it can have nice benefits of a vacant seat next to you.
I've never paid for advance seat assignment on any airline. Advanced seat assignment has zero value to me, so I opt out. If you are not picky, you are guaranteed a seat...it's just that you may not be able to reserve it until close to check-in. At the ticket booking stage, airlines are trying to extract all sorts of fees from people by enticing them pay for advanced seat selection (it's not necessary, it's a preference for those who want specific seats and are willing to pay for them way ahead of time). That doesn't mean you have to do it.
I'm having the same experience that acraven mentioned, that the 24 hours before flight time is the only free option for Lufthansa
seat scheduling.
Seating has never been an issue for me, but I only have 50 minutes in Munich between the landing of my flight and the departure
of the next one to Amsterdam. However, since Lufthansa scheduled me this way, I am assuming (hopefully) the gates are very close.
But it would be comforting to sit further ahead in the cabin instead of in the rear of the plane where I would have a longer wait
before alighting. Sigh...
Sharon
Some errors above, Both Delta and IcelandAir do sometimes charge for seats, but this is the basic economy fare which is not offered on all routes. I've flown both Delta and Icelandair with free seats in 2018.
Also, if you book a flight on a partner airline via a U.S. carrier, seat reservation is usually free.
For example, I booked a KLM flight through Delta...no seat fee. Booked Lufthansa flight through United...no seat reservation fee.
On an upcoming flight bought via delta.com, KLM wants $6 to reserve a seat on the KLM leg (the Delta leg is free).
Air Canada
Aer Lingus
Air New Zealand
Of course with all of these you will connect in Canada , Dublin or London. If you want a direct flight then read above. I have flown all of these airline to Europe and Air New Zealand was wonderful and the least favorite was Aer Lingus (just for comfort, service was great and I would fly them again). I am one who does not like to pay for seats, but I also am picky when it comes to my departure time, airport and connection time. If it means that I pay an extra $160.00 to get what I want for a trip I am paying thousands of dollars for, so be it.
Icelandair doesn't charge to reserve a seat. Wow Air (also an Icelandic company) charges but it's about $9 per seat, unless the seat is an upgrade (then around $37). Wow charges for everything so it works well only if you travel light and don't care about checked bags, in flight meals or entertainment. Those are all included on Icelandair's fares.
Icelandair doesn't charge to reserve a seat.
OK, I guess I remembered wrong, Icelandair offers "economy light" with a charge for bags but not seats.
http://time.com/money/4970571/airline-fees-icelandair-europe-checked-bag/
And the website:
Economy Light
Included
Carry on up to 10kgSeat reservationIn-flight entertainmentSoft drinksEarn points
But it is easy to figure out that if you want to check a bag, it's cheaper to "buy up" to standard economy then pick "economy light" and pay for the bag later.
As to Delta, here's what comes up for London "Basic Economy" where a seat cannot be reserved in advance, even for money:
ON YOUR FLIGHT TO LONDON-HEATHROW, UNITED KINGDOM
A Better Value Fare In Basic Economy
Enjoy the benefits of a Main Cabin experience at a value fare. Though some restrictions apply to your fare, you will still enjoy our award winning services in-flight, including available Wi-Fi and complimentary Delta Studio® streaming on your device or seatback screen. You also enjoy your choice of refreshments, including complimentary snacks, juices, Starbucks® coffee and Coca-Cola® products on flights over 250 miles.
FROM
$895 .91
Round Trip Per Passenger
Restrictions Apply
First checked bag is not free
Seat assigned at gate or after check-in
Seat assignment may not be together with traveling companions
Not eligible for refunds
Norwegian and WOW are usually always the least expensive flight to Europe, even with fee to reserve seat.
Doesn’t make sense to me to pay a lot more just to not pay to reserve.
on this subject of booking seats, but within the states i got a WOW today, check-in on american airlines: oakland to dallas $31-37 and dallas to lexington is $34!! this is crazy, we are a "FEE" happy country to nickle and dime us. i will wait till i get to airport to get my seat, Marguerite, i think it's most of the airlines out there wherever you fly. The price we pay to travel and enjoy. We may be at the back of that plane but we will land at the same time. Will stop and have a cocktail at the bar before my flight leaves and have a great time in kentucky with family. Thanks all happy travels
aloha
Just had a couple experiences with AA and Delta with paying for seat assignments on domestic flights. AA did not allow even changing the assigned seat at check in, you were stuck with whatever was assigned. With Delta basic economy, the seat plan opened at check in and one was allowed to choose another seat.
Given what I've seen on transatlantic flights, $30 looks like a bargain these days at the cheapest fare codes. :-(
Flight on Norwegian for June, r/t, NON-STOP, SF/Oakland to Paris is $695 with a carry-on up to 10 kg. Add $45 x 2 for seat reservation each way and it’s $785. Can other airlines beat that price?
Add $90 x 2 to the $695 = $875 which gets you a reserved seat, a checked bag up to 20 kg, a carry-on up to 10 kg and two hot meals. Can other airlines beat that?
I’m genuinely curious. Remember it’s Non-Stop, SF-Paris, in the summer.
These prices include all taxes.
At booking if the airline charges for the seat choice, I don't do it. I am not going to pay extra to choose my seat in Economy, ie to reserve a seat beforehand. Although I always book Economy, there just might be that slight chance of an upgrade., well, no such luck, minus the two exceptions with Lufthansa.
The result is that the booking is finished on-line without my knowing where my seat on that flight will be. I wait until check-in to pick my seat. I don't necessarily care for a window seat, there have been times I lucked out at check-in to get an isle seat in the back. I prefer sitting in the back.
This flight as well as the last two over is on Br Air, paid $500, dep the end of April from OAK to London Gatwick., no open jaw flight this time since this is a round trip ticket. The return is on 7 June, which means 39 days on the ground, Gatwick to OAK, both flights non-stop. I check in the spinner, the other piece the shoulder sack serves as the one piece of allowed carry-on.
Fred, starting your trip in April and flying to London might explain lower price.
To summarize for the OP (if still reading) for transatlantic flights:
All European airlines charge for seat reservations, except Icelandair and Finnair.
US legacy carriers do not charge for seat reservations except in the sub-economy fares, e.g. Delta's Basic Economy, and for these fares you cannot even pay for a seat reservation later.
No idea about Air Canada or Westjet or Air Canada Rouge.
Some posters claim that buying through a US carrier website that the European connection offers free seat reservations, but for me this has not worked transferring Delta to AF or KLM.
Some posters claim that buying through a US carrier website that the European connection offers free seat reservations, but for me this has not worked transferring Delta to AF or KLM.
I am one of those posters making that claim, because it has always worked for me. Thinking more on the matter, perhaps it worked in those situations because I was flying business class on Delta on the transatlantic leg. I can't say for sure. But it has always worked for me on Delta.
Thank you to everyone who has added their wisdom and travel experience concerning extra fees some airlines charge for reserving seats. I appreciate everyone's responses!
I ended up booking on United (even though I am not a big United fan) because they do not charge extra for reserving seats. After I paid for it I realized that they were slightly higher priced. The United fare is comparable to the Lufthansa once you add on the $30 (each way) charges to reserve a seat.
I learned something new...European airlines charge to reserve seats as do several American airlines....These days it's better to ask upfront what the extra charges are. I flew WOW last year to Iceland and they let you know up front that NOTHING but the seat is included. You pay extra for everything, but at least you know that before you purchase your ticket.
@ Susan...Flying to London is definitely a factor since it is to Gatwick and on BA. The departure date is 28 April but the longer the trip the chances are the flight will be more expensive. I didn't check (just to play around with dummy dates ) what the final price would be if I had chosen the end of the first week in July to return, ie making the trip ca. 68 days
Marguerite: if cocktails matter, those are free on Lufthansa but not United.
Fred, I wonder what it would cost if you started in June/July...
Even so, London is usually always cheaper than Paris.
"The United fare is comparable to the Lufthansa once you add on the $30 (each way) charges to reserve a seat. "
I'm sure it's just a coincidence (NOT).
I just booked JFK to LHR and CDG to JFK on Delta. For the flight over I had a choice of Delta or Virgin; I chose Delta and did not have to pay for seat selection. For the flight back I had a choice of Delta or Air France; I chose Air France (for its later departure) and had to pay for seat selection.
Obviously everyone is different. For me, on a short flight I don't care where I sit, but on a longer one, particularly on a larger plane, I do. So I do pay for seat selection on transatlantic flights, and just consider it part of the total ticket cost.
