HELP: What Happens If You Don't Book Seats on a Plane?

When booking a flight, many passengers typically consider selecting a comfortable seat to make their flight journey more comfortable. But sometimes, it is inconceivable to travel with the same seat due to your preferences, and you get the facility to select your desired seat on a plane at the check-in counter before your flight journey. Additionally, if you forget to choose your seat during or after booking, airlines will assign you an unclaimed seat when you check in if you haven't tried to pick one in advance. So, you have a question about what happens if you don’t reserve a seat on a plane? Such a decision can lead you to various outcomes, depending on the airline's policies, the timing of your booking, and the load on your flight. But do not worry, as you may have the option to select your desired seat. But if you are still confused, collect specific information in this ace guide. 

What Happens If You Don't Reserve Seats on a Plane?

One of the most common decisions passengers face when booking a flight is whether to reserve their seats in advance. While many passengers choose to select their seats when booking, others may choose not to, leaving their seat assignments to the airline's preference. It has also been concluded that most passengers don't reserve their seats when booking but always pick the right seat at the right time. But to do so, they must abide by many rules that come into effect during flight journeys and pay extra charges. In this situation, if you want to learn more about several conditions for not selecting a seat or wish to choose a desired seat, get comprehensive suitable points below.

• Uncertainty of Seat Assignment

The first situation you will face when you don't reserve a seat is the uncertainty of where you will be seated on a plane. When you select a specific airline, it typically allocates seats at check-in time online, which starts within 24 hours before a flight departure, either at the airport within 2 to 3 hours before a flight's scheduled departure. Further, if you don't reserve a seat when booking your ticket, you may be assigned a random seat during this process. This could mean anything from a middle seat to a less desirable location, such as near the bathrooms or a section of the plane with less legroom, and you have no choice except to accept that seating arrangement made by the airline. 

• Might Getting a Middle Seat:

You might be assigned a middle seat when you don’t prefer to reserve a seat during booking. If you choose any busy flights, the remaining seats after check-in tend to be in the middle of the row, as aisle and window seats are often taken first. Sitting in a middle seat can be uncomfortable, especially on long flights, due to limited personal space, and it can be particularly frustrating for you traveling with others on a plane.

•  Risk of Overbooking:

Airlines sometimes overbook flights, selling more tickets than available seats and anticipating a certain number of passengers on a plane. If you don’t reserve a seat and the flight is overbooked, there might be a chance you could be bumped from the flight, especially if you haven't checked in early.

•  Limited seat availability:

If you don't reserve a seat, you may also be limited in your options for specific seat preferences, such as an aisle seat, a window seat, or extra legroom. Most airlines allow you to choose your desired seats during the booking process or get various other options at different price rates depending on the route, fare types, and booking date. 

Ways to select a seat on a plane:

You are aware of the results when you don't select a seat during a flight booking procedure. You must also learn how to choose a seat, which can be done quickly via Manage Booking or the Online Check-in process. To prevent confusion, check out the methods below.

• First, visit an airline's official website and select the Manage Booking tab.
• Enter the booking reference number and last name of the passenger into the required fields.
• Access the next page to select your flight, and click on the seat option to easily select your desired seat. 
• During this process, you will be asked to pay the charges for extra legroom and seat preferences and receive a message about seat selection. 

Other ways to select a seat on a plane:

You can choose a seat at check-in and select your preferred seat to make your flight journey more comfortable. This process generally opens within 24 to 48 hours before a flight departure, and you can easily choose your desired seat, which may be subject to availability. You also get the option to select your seat at the check-in counter and ensure you reach the airport earlier to avoid any extra charges. You can also connect with an airline representative to request seat selection on time efficiently.