Airline Fees

Airline Seat Selection Fees 2026

Most US airlines charge $10–$75 per seat for preferred or extra-legroom seats. Southwest assigns no seats at all — open boarding is free. Basic Economy fares on legacy carriers typically receive random seat assignments at check-in.

FlightReservationsDesk · Sourced from airline fee schedules · Updated June 2026

Seat Selection Fees by Airline — 2026

Airline	Free Seats?	Standard Fee	Exit Row	Notes
American Airlines	Preferred / Main Cabin at check-in (non-BE)	$0–$35	$20–$55	Basic Economy cannot select seats until check-in (random assignment)
Delta Air Lines	Main Cabin (non-BE) at time of booking	$0–$30	$20–$60	Comfort+ runs $30–$80; Basic Economy gets gate assignment only
United Airlines	Main Cabin (non-BE) — limited free seats	$0–$35	$25–$75	Economy Plus bulkhead/exit runs $25–$105 one-way
Southwest Airlines	All seats free — open seating	N/A	N/A	Boards by group (A/B/C). EarlyBird Check-In guarantees earlier boarding: $15–$25
JetBlue	Blue/Blue Basic — random assignment at check-in	$0–$25	$15–$40	Even More Space seats add ~$40–$90. Blue fare gets one free standard seat.
Alaska Airlines	Main Cabin (non-Saver) — free standard seats	$0–$30	$15–$45	Saver fares: gate assignment only
Spirit Airlines	None — all seats carry a fee	$5–$20	$20–$45	Seat fees apply even on the cheapest fares. Factor in before comparing with legacy carriers.
Frontier Airlines	None without bundle	$5–$25	$20–$45	WORKS bundles include seat selection. Without a bundle, all seats are fee-based.

Fees are one-way, per-seat estimates. Actual fees vary by route, fare class, and seat location. Source: individual airline fee schedules, June 2026.

What Types of Seats Cost More?

Preferred Seats

Standard-pitch seats in desirable positions — front of cabin, aisle, window. Extra $10–$35 over a random middle seat. Most valuable on short flights when legroom is less critical.

Extra Legroom / Economy Plus

Rows with 4–7 extra inches of pitch (usually 34–38 inches vs. 29–31 standard). Exits rows, bulkheads, or Economy Plus sections. Fee: $25–$105 one-way.

Premium Economy

A distinct cabin on many international flights with wider seats, more pitch, enhanced meals, and sometimes direct aisle access. Typically 20–40% of business class cost.

Basic Economy (no seat)

The cheapest fare — but no seat selection until check-in or gate. Often assigned a middle seat. Factor in the seat fee to compare true costs against standard economy.

How to Avoid Paying for Seat Selection

Book a non-Basic Economy fare — standard main cabin fares on AA, Delta, and United include free standard seat selection at booking.
Fly Southwest — open seating means you board by group but pay no seat fee at all. EarlyBird Check-In (~$15–$25) gets you an early boarding position.
Hold elite status — most airline loyalty programs grant free seat selection (including premium seats) to status holders, even on Basic Economy fares.
Use an airline co-branded credit card — many cards (Chase United Explorer, Citi AAdvantage Platinum) include complimentary seat selection as a benefit.
Wait until 24-hour check-in — some unclaimed paid seats are released for free at check-in. Risk: you may only get middle seats.
Call FlightReservationsDesk — our agents can sometimes access seat assignments not available through online booking tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for seat selection?: It depends on the airline and fare type. Most legacy carriers (AA, Delta, United) include free standard seat selection on main cabin fares. Basic Economy and ultra-low-cost carriers typically charge for all seat assignments.
What happens if I don't select a seat?: The airline assigns you a random seat at check-in (or at the gate). You may end up in a middle seat, separated from your travel companions, or in a less desirable location. You can usually still change seats if alternatives are available.
Can families with young children get free seat assignments?: The DOT issued guidance in 2024 urging airlines to seat children under 13 next to a parent at no charge. Most major carriers comply, but policies vary. Call the airline if you're booking Basic Economy with children.
Are exit row seats always worth the extra cost?: Exit rows offer significant legroom (33–38 inches vs. standard 29–31 inches). Worth paying for on flights over 3 hours if you are tall. Note that exit row passengers must be able-bodied and willing to assist in an emergency.
Which airline has the best free seat selection policy?: Southwest Airlines offers completely free open seating — no seat fees at all. Alaska Airlines is best among assigned-seat carriers, offering free standard seat selection on all non-Saver fares.

Need help picking the right seat?

Our agents can advise on the best seats for your route and budget — and may access options not available online.

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