Seat Selection fees by airline
Last verified: 2025-12-24Seat fees are airlines selling anxiety. Many preferred seats are not meaningfully better; they are just normal seats priced like a problem-solving tool.
Use this page for: Seat fees are usually about selling anxiety, convenience, or fake upgrade value. This hub should help users spot which is happening.
Quick check: If you are going to pay for a seat, re-check inventory at online check-in. Booking-time seat pricing is often the worst moment to buy.
Common way to avoid the fee: Sometimes the right move is not to pay the seat fee. It is to buy out of the restrictive fare or switch airlines before the stack forms.
What to watch: Compare Basic versus non-Basic seat behavior, preferred versus legroom products, and whether seat selection also changes bag entitlement.
Seat-fee pages are most useful when you compare the seat upsell against the stripped fare that created it, so use the Basic Economy guide alongside United, Delta, and American before paying for a seat that may only fix a bad fare choice.
Published rows on this page: 124
Common situations
Preferred does not always mean better
Many carriers price non-legroom seats as if they were a real upgrade simply because they are closer to the front or window/aisle inventory is thin.
Entry fares weaponize seat discomfort
Basic or stripped-down fares use seating uncertainty to push users back into the paid experience they thought they had skipped.
The right benchmark is all-in comfort cost
A fare that requires paid seat selection to feel tolerable should be compared against the next cabin or a different airline, not judged in isolation.
Airline pages to compare next
Delta is a strong example of premium seat upsell logic hiding inside a polished product.
United is useful because Basic and Preferred pricing can create a fast seat-fee stack.
American highlights how preferred and extra-legroom products can blur together for the buyer.
Published fee rows (source-linked)
| Airline | Amount | Applies to | Region / route | Timing | Conditions | Source | Last verified | Shortcut |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus (EI) | From 0 to 20 EUR | Saver fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Aer Lingus (EI) | From 10 to 45 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or front-row seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Aeroméxico (AM) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air Astana (KC) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air Canada (AC) | 0 CAD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Standard and higher fares; timing and availability depend on fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air Canada (AC) | From 10 to 70 CAD | Basic fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat selection fee on Basic fares; price varies by route and seat type | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air Canada (AC) | From 25 to 199 CAD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra legroom seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air China (CA) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air France (AF) | Varies EUR | All fares (Economy Light has restrictions) | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection pricing varies by destination, travel dates, and fare; Economy Light fares can select only paid seats until check-in closes; otherwise seats are auto-assigned at check-in (30 hours before departure) | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air France (AF) | 0 EUR | Eligible passengers / fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection is free for: Flying Blue Silver/Gold/Platinum (and companions on same booking), passengers with reduced mobility, children traveling alone, and passengers traveling on a Flex fare | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air India (AI) | Varies INR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air New Zealand (NZ) | 0 NZD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on higher fare families; seat selection opens at check-in for other fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Air New Zealand (NZ) | Varies NZD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra legroom seats available for a fee; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| AirAsia (AK) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type, route, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| AIX Connect (I5) | Varies INR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| All Nippon Airways (NH) | 0 JPY | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat selection included for most fares; availability and timing depend on fare type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| All Nippon Airways (NH) | Varies JPY | Economy (some fares) | International | at booking / manage booking | Preferred seat selection fees may apply on some international Economy fares depending on fare brand and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Asiana Airlines (OZ) | Varies KRW | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Avianca (AV) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on higher fare families; seat assignment at check-in for other fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Avianca (AV) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred and extra legroom seats available for a fee; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Batik Air (ID) | Varies IDR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| British Airways (BA) | 0 GBP | Premium cabins | All routes | at booking | Seat selection included from time of booking for First, Club World, Club Europe, and Club Europe Plus fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| British Airways (BA) | Varies GBP | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat selection fee applies on some Economy fares; pricing varies by route, seat type, and time of selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| British Airways (BA) | 0 GBP | Eligible fares | All routes | check-in | Free seat selection available at check-in (24 hours before departure) on eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Cathay Pacific (CX) | 0 HKD | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for most fares; timing and availability depend on fare family and cabin | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Cathay Pacific (CX) | Varies HKD | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra-legroom seats may incur a fee on some Economy fares depending on route and fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Cebu Pacific (5J) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type, route, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| China Airlines (CI) | Varies TWD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| China Eastern Airlines (MU) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| China Southern Airlines (CZ) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Copa Airlines (CM) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on higher fare families; seat assignment at check-in for other fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Copa Airlines (CM) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred seats available for a fee; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| easyJet (U2) | From 0 to 24.99 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| easyJet (U2) | From 7.99 to 49.99 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Up Front or Extra Legroom seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| EgyptAir (MS) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare type, cabin class, seat location, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Emirates (EK) | 0 AED | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for First, Business, Premium Economy, and Flex/Flex Plus Economy fares; timing and availability depend on fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Emirates (EK) | Varies AED | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees may apply on some Economy fares (e.g., Special/Saver) depending on route, seat type, and time of selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Ethiopian Airlines (ET) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on higher fare families; free seat selection also available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Ethiopian Airlines (ET) | Varies USD | Lowest fare families / preferred seats | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on lowest fare families and for preferred seats; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Etihad Airways (EY) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on Comfort and Deluxe fares; free seat selection also available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Etihad Airways (EY) | Varies USD | Value fares / preferred seats | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on Value fares and for preferred or extra legroom seats; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| EVA Air (BR) | Varies TWD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| flydubai (FZ) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is chargeable on Economy fares; included with Business Class; fees vary by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Garuda Indonesia (GA) | Varies IDR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Gulf Air (GF) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply depending on fare family, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Hainan Airlines (HU) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Hong Kong Airlines (HX) | Varies HKD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Iberia (IB) | 0 EUR | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Standard, Flex, and premium fares; timing and availability depend on fare brand | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Iberia (IB) | From 6 to 45 EUR | Basic fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fee on Basic fares; amount varies by route, seat type (standard, preferred, extra legroom), and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Iberia Express (I2) | 0 EUR | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Comfort and Business fares; timing and availability depend on fare | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Iberia Express (I2) | From 6 to 35 EUR | Basic fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fee on Basic fares; amount varies by route, seat type (standard, preferred, extra legroom), and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| IndiGo (6E) | Varies INR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by seat type and route; free seat assignment available at check-in | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | 0 JPY | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat selection included for most fares; availability and timing depend on fare type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | Varies JPY | Economy (some fares) | International | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra-legroom seat fees may apply on some international Economy fares depending on fare brand and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jet2.com (LS) | From 0 to 12 GBP | All fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jet2.com (LS) | From 10 to 25 GBP | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or front-row seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar (JQ) | From 5 to 25 AUD | Starter fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar (JQ) | From 15 to 65 AUD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or upfront seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar Asia (3K) | From 5 to 28 SGD | Starter fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar Asia (3K) | From 18 to 70 SGD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or upfront seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar Japan (GK) | From 500 to 1,500 JPY | Starter fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Jetstar Japan (GK) | From 1,200 to 3,500 JPY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or upfront seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Kenya Airways (KQ) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family, cabin class, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) | Varies EUR | All fares (restrictions apply on Light) | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Seat selection fees vary by seat type, route, fare, and timing; Economy Light fares require paid seat selection until check-in opens (30 hours before departure) | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) | 0 EUR | Eligible passengers / fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection is free for Flex fares, Flying Blue Elite members (Silver+), passengers with reduced mobility, and children traveling alone | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Korean Air (KE) | 0 KRW | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for most fares; timing and availability depend on fare family and cabin | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Korean Air (KE) | Varies KRW | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra-legroom seats may incur a fee on some Economy fares depending on route and fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| LATAM Airlines (LA) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Plus, Top, and Premium fares; timing and availability depend on fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| LATAM Airlines (LA) | Varies USD | Light fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on Light fares; amount varies by route, seat type, and time of selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Lufthansa (LH) | Varies EUR | Most fares | All routes (varies) | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat reservation fees may apply depending on fare, route, and status; published rules include restrictions for Economy Light and free reservations for certain status members on eligible flights | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Malaysia Airlines (MH) | Varies MYR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Norwegian (DY) | From 0 to 20 EUR | LowFare | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Norwegian (DY) | From 10 to 45 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or front-row seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Oman Air (WY) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family and seat type; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Philippine Airlines (PR) | Varies PHP | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | 0 QAR | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for most fares; timing and availability depend on fare family and cabin | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | Varies QAR | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra-legroom seats may incur a fee on some Economy fares depending on route and fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Royal Air Maroc (AT) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Ryanair (FR) | From 0 to 35 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Ryanair (FR) | From 8 to 45 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or front-row seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) (SV) | 0 USD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection included on higher fare families; free seat selection also available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) (SV) | Varies USD | Lowest fare families / preferred seats | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on lowest fare families and for preferred or extra legroom seats; pricing varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Scoot (TR) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type, fare bundle, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | 0 SGD | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for most fares; timing and availability depend on fare family and cabin | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | Varies SGD | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra-legroom seats may incur a fee on some Economy fares depending on route and fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| South African Airways (SA) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees depend on fare family, cabin class, seat type, and timing; some fares include standard seat selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Southwest Airlines (WN) | 0 USD | Basic Fare | All routes | check-in / boarding | No seat selection with Basic fares; a Standard seat will be assigned at check-in (flights departing on or after January 27, 2026). Until then, Southwest uses open seating | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Southwest Airlines (WN) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | per segment | Paid seat upgrades (for flights departing on or after January 27, 2026) | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| SpiceJet (SG) | Varies INR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Spring Airlines (9C) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| SriLankan Airlines (UL) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| TAP Air Portugal (TP) | 0 EUR | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Classic/Plus and premium fares; timing and availability depend on fare family | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| TAP Air Portugal (TP) | From 6 to 45 EUR | Discount fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on Discount fares; amount varies by route, seat type, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Thai Airways (TG) | Varies THB | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | 0 USD | Most fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included for most fares; timing and availability depend on fare family and cabin | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | Varies USD | Economy (some fares) | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees may apply on some Economy fares depending on route, seat type, and time of selection | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| VietJet Air (VJ) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; prices vary by seat type, route, and selection timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Vietnam Airlines (VN) | Varies VND | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Virgin Australia (VA) | 0 AUD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on Choice, Flex, and Business fares; availability may vary | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Virgin Australia (VA) | Varies AUD | Lite fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection fees apply on Lite fares; amount varies by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Vistara (UK) | 0 INR | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on most fares; premium or preferred seats may incur additional charges | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Vistara (UK) | Varies INR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra legroom seats are chargeable; fees vary by seat type and route | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Viva Aerobus (VB) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type, route, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Volaris (Y4) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type, fare bundle, route, and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Vueling (VY) | From 0 to 24 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Vueling (VY) | From 8 to 45 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Front row or extra legroom seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| WestJet (WS) | 0 CAD | Eligible fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Standard seat selection included on EconoFlex, Premium, and Business fares; timing and availability depend on fare | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| WestJet (WS) | From 10 to 60 CAD | Econo fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Advance seat selection fee on Econo fares; price varies by route and seat type | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| WestJet (WS) | From 30 to 199 CAD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Preferred or extra legroom seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Wizz Air (W6) | From 0 to 30 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / check-in | Standard seat selection; free random seat assigned at check-in if not purchased | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| Wizz Air (W6) | From 10 to 50 EUR | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Extra legroom or front-row seats; price varies by route and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| XiamenAir (MF) | Varies CNY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking / check-in | Advance seat selection fees vary by route, fare family, and seat type; free seat assignment available at check-in for eligible fares | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| ZIPAIR Tokyo (ZG) | Varies JPY | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage booking | Seat selection is optional and chargeable; fees vary by seat type and timing | Source | 2025-12-24 | Fee guide |
| American Airlines (AA) | Varies USD | Main Cabin | All routes | per segment | Preferred seat pricing varies by flight; published range approximately $4–$139 | Source | 2025-12-22 | Fee guide |
| American Airlines (AA) | Varies USD | Main Cabin | All routes | per segment | Main Cabin Extra pricing varies by flight; published range approximately $20–$280 | Source | 2025-12-22 | Fee guide |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | Varies USD | Main Cabin | All routes | per segment | Preferred seat pricing varies by flight | Source | 2025-12-22 | Fee guide |
| Alaska Airlines (AS) | 0 USD | Main Cabin | All routes | at booking / manage trip | Standard seat selection included; preferred seating may cost extra | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| Alaska Airlines (AS) | Varies USD | Main Cabin | All routes | at booking / manage trip | Preferred seats; fee varies by flight | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| JetBlue (B6) | 0 USD | Blue / Blue Plus / Blue Extra | All routes | at booking | Standard seat selection included | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| JetBlue (B6) | Varies USD | All fares | All routes | at booking / manage trip | Even More Space seats; fee varies by flight | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| United Airlines (UA) | 15 USD | Basic Economy | Varies | at booking / manage trip | Advance seat assignment (starting price) | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| United Airlines (UA) | Varies USD | Economy | Varies | at booking / manage trip | Economy Plus seating (per flight, per person); published range $29–$299 | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| United Airlines (UA) | 24 USD | Economy (non-Basic) | Varies | at booking / manage trip | Preferred seating (starting price) | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
| United Airlines (UA) | 136 USD | Basic Economy | Varies | at booking / manage trip | Preferred seating (starting price) | Source | 2025-12-19 | Fee guide |
Use the Fee guide column if you want the airline-specific page that explains how this fee usually shows up in a real trip.
Seat-fee pages are most useful when you compare the seat upsell against the stripped fare that created it, so use the Basic Economy guide alongside United, Delta, and American before paying for a seat that may only fix a bad fare choice.
Related references
After the seat-fee page, compare the airline page and the fare guide, because seat pricing rarely exists in isolation.
This is the natural next step because Basic restrictions are usually what make seat fees feel unavoidable.
Cards are not a direct seat-fee solution, but they matter when bag benefits make a more flexible fare rational.
If the traveler is paying to avoid discomfort, it often helps to also inspect whether they are carrying the wrong bag for that airline.