Free seat selection transatlantic at any time after purchase

One reason I give Delta my business is because of free seat selection in the main cabin & up. I would never choose basic economy for a flight lasting more than 30 minutes and even then, I probably wouldn’t. With long-distance travel, what you will be charged to check in luggage probably loses the savings in basic economy.

Tom_MN - add KLM to your list. I was able to book my regular economy seat immediately after booking my flights on KLM. Of course there are options for Comfort or closer to the front seats for a cost, but there was no cost for standard seats.

JMF: I was aware that KLM flights bought via delta.com had free seat selection, but unsure about directly from klm.com.

I will note that on American flights booked on American, basic economy seats, other than bulkhead/extra legroom, are available for $11-$13 a piece, a small price to pay compared to other airlines.

Larry: worth noting. I have run across $40 for economy seat selection on BA from Tel Aviv to London (5 hours) and in the last 8 rows from the back, the price increases closer to the front 👎

A1) Okay, its been a long time since I have flown anyone transatlantic other than Turkish Air and the seat selection is done while booking and before you push the pay button.
A2) That particular airline only has Business and Economy (no premium economy); and seats are free if yoiu let them choose for you at check-in, or they cost $39 or $129 on the long haul and $14 or $29 for the European connection; so a total of $106 to $158 each way.
A3) The cheap seats on my flight (777) are 18 x 32 pitch which might be a tad wider than some but still pretty much the standard economy seat.
A4) The economy comes with 2 checked bags, a carry-on and a rather large personal item carry-on; and the meal service is remarkably good with all the complementary wine I can drink.
A5) I did this because I was bored, but all i really care about is getting there cheaply, efficiently, with comfortable lay-over times, and with some confidence of there being no cancelations or substantial delays that will mess up the trip; the rest I can deal with as long as I have an aisle seat.

I have recently booked British business for family and was able to choose seats

Shaun Kel:

You must have status in the One World system. According to the BA website and our favorite resident Portsmouth poster, business class does not allow free seat selection normally. Or you booked the fares with avios, that could make a difference.

I honestly don't care where I sit in an airplane. It takes the same time to get there in the front or back.

Since there are 3 of us, we just about always get seated together.

Right now, my wife is having mobility problems, and she has to travel with a folding electric travel scooter. She gets priority boarding, and often they will change the seating reservations if one in the party is having problems. The scooter gets Gate Checked.

Re: BA. Advance seat selection is not free in business class if you book with Avios. Unless, as Tom_MN says, one has high status in the airline or in the One World alliance. We fly almost every year (or did until 2020) with BA in business class, booked with Avios, and I always pay to select our seats in advance. It is worth the extra $$$to me to know we will have seats together, and I will have the window seat (my husband prefers the aisle anyway).

Seat selection IS free at online checkin if one wants to wait, but by that time many of the desirable seats have been taken.

Finnair allowed seat selection prior to check-in.

Anna: Do you have status? The website is saying seat selection is with a fee even for business class

https://www.finnair.com/en/frequently-asked-questions/seats-and-travel-classes/can-i-book-a-seat-in-advance--do-i-have-to-pay-for-it--1889884

I honestly don't care where I sit in an airplane. It takes the same time to get there in the front or back.

Oh I do, even though I am cheap (or poor) and will always be in economy.

My non-negotiables within the context of my regular economy seat (for the transatlantic portion):
-- aisle seat
-- NOT a bulkhead seat
-- not right by the toilets.
-- not the very last row, either

b1 Today I went through the purchase process (short of buying) for a KLM flight to Budapest in July.
b2 First I did Economy Light which included carry on + personal item combined < 13kg, no checked baggage, no free seats for a total cost of = $1001 (including the cheapest seats, which included aisle in the front half of the plane which is my only requirement)
b3 Then I did Regular Economy which included carry on + personal item combined < 13kg, one checked bag and free Premium Economy seats on the short haul flights and free basic seats on the long haul flights and it came out to = $1200
b4 So basically $200 extra for the privilege of a checked bag (and a little better seat on the short flights).
b5 My last flight over was on Turkish Air, that was $700 including purchasing the seats and free checked luggage so I am in sticker shock.

not the very last row, either

If you wonder why airlines always block these seats till check in, one reason is that US marshals and other law enforcement who transfer prisoners use these seats, even transatlantic. Look for the guys in handcuffs.

Anna: Do you have status? The website is saying seat selection is with a fee even for business class
https://www.finnair.com/en/frequently-asked-questions/seats-and-travel-classes/can-i-book-a-seat-in-advance--do-i-have-to-pay-for-it--1889884

I booked our flight through Alaska Airlines using miles, so maybe that made a difference, but we definitely got to choose seats before check-in opened.

Anna: Do you have Alaska status then?