in this feature
- Airlines want you to think you need to pay for a seat assignment to get on the plane. Here’s why that’s not true.
- This is a clear guide to when you should pay for a seat (long flights, specific needs) and when you’re just throwing money away (solo travel, families with kids).
- Find out how airlines make billions from these fees and why only government regulation is likely to stop them.
Is it worth paying extra for a seat assignment on a flight?
For Donna Shelton, the answer is: almost never.
“OK, I just made an exception on a flight from Houston to Chicago,” says Shelton, a banker from Chicago. “I brought home a stray cat I had rescued while visiting my family. I wanted more legroom to access her carrier, if necessary.”
She reluctantly forked over $30 for an aisle seat.
Shelton says the seat assignment fees usually aren’t worth the extra money, and they feel like a money grab by the airlines.
She’s right. A recent Senate report found the five biggest U.S. airlines collected $12.4 billion from seat fees between 2018 and 2023. In some cases, airlines are earning more money from seat selection fees than from luggage fees. The urge to charge for seats is irresistible: In just a few months, even Southwest Airlines will start charging passengers for seat assignments.
How did that happen? I couldn’t explain it. Then I heard from Madeleine Galvin, a retired office manager from Alexandria, Va. She said airlines often leave you with the impression that you won’t have a seat if you fail to pay for one. In fact, she just had this problem with a foreign carrier. (Related: Travelers to Tokyo are fighting jet lag and stress. Here’s what they’ll find.)
“Do these airlines think you will stand up for the entire flight?” she asked me.
For the record, if you have a ticket on a flight, you have a seat. (I think writing those words probably cost the airline industry a few million dollars, at least. You’re welcome, fellow passengers.)
When should you pay for a seat assignment
If you absolutely have to have a particular seat. Rachel Wagner hates the middle seat and will do almost anything to avoid it. “I dislike the feeling of being trapped,” says Wagner, an etiquette expert and frequent air traveler. “I need to stretch on a longer flight or make a trip to the lavatory. So, as much as I don’t like to pay extra for an aisle seat, I think it’s worth it. I do it for my own sense of well-being.” Good point. If you feel a little claustrophobic, maybe you should pay a little extra — or a lot extra — to stay out of one of the cramped seats. (Here is our must read tips to booking your airline tickets.)
Your voice matters
Airlines are making billions by charging extra for seat assignments, often making you feel like you have no choice. Do you pay up, or do you refuse to play their game?
- Have you ever paid for a seat assignment? Was it worth the money, or did you regret it?
- Airlines often imply you might not get a seat if you don’t pay. Have you ever felt pressured into buying a seat assignment?
- Should choosing a basic seat — any seat — be included in the price of your ticket, or are airlines right to charge extra for it?
If it’s a long flight. For Valerie Howell, a retired physical therapist from Miami, an aisle seat at the front of the cabin is essential on a flight of three hours or more. “The aisle seat ensures my comfort, and the forward seat has paid off a few times to get me to my next flight faster due to a delay or tight connection,” she explains. “And there’s the peace of mind of knowing that I have it — just in case.” (Related: Stop switching airline seats! Here’s why you should stay put.)
If you need to sit next to someone. That’s the strategy used by Pattie Haubner, a frequent traveler from Dorset, Vt. And the math works out better, too. It’s cheaper to book “basic” economy class tickets and then pay for a seat assignment than to buy a more expensive type of ticket that may include the ability to select a seat. “While I do feel these extra charges are annoying and a money grab, I always purchase or reserve aisle seats,” she admits.
When should you refuse to pay for a seat assignment
When you’re traveling alone and just don’t care. “It’s absolutely not worth it,” says Joanna Teljeur, a spokeswoman for AirAdvisor. Airlines may suggest that you won’t have a seat at all if you forego a seat assignment, but that’s a fake-out. You have a seat on the flight and you’ll get a seat assignment when you check in.
Read more insightful reader feedback. See all comments.
When you’re flying with kids. In the past, families traveling with young kids have been a rich source of seat assignment revenue for airlines. Parents suffered from separation anxiety. (Curiously, their kids — especially their teenagers — did not.) Here’s a fact: Airlines don’t generally charge families traveling with young children to sit together. Most major U.S. airlines guarantee free family seating in anticipation of a government regulation banning the practice of charging parents of young children for seat reservations. “Don’t fall for the trap,” says Eric Napoli, vice president of legal strategy at AirHelp. “Children should be seated with their parents at no additional charge.” (Related: Airline seats are too small. Here’s what we need to do.)
If you just don’t give a damn. If it’s a short flight, if you don’t mind sitting in the middle seat, or if you’re watching your budget, then skip the seat assignment and play reservation roulette. “For passengers who are not so particular with seating, paying for a seat may be an unnecessary expenditure,” says Christian Petzold, marketing director at BCN Travel.
What if people stopped paying for seat assignments?
Airlines are making a ridiculous amount of money by selling you the promise of avoiding a middle seat or exploiting your separation anxiety or your claustrophobia. We also know that sophisticated algorithms often set the price you pay for a seat. In other words, what you pay has virtually nothing to do with the actual cost of providing transportation, and the airlines are trying to squeeze the maximum they can from a seat.
How to kill airline seat fees
So what would it take to disrupt this racket? Easy. If everyone stopped paying the fees, airlines would have to start assigning seats to passengers at no additional cost — window seats, middle seats, even the coveted aisle seat.
Would fares go up? Nope. We, the airline passengers, control what we pay for our tickets. We could refuse the higher fares, and then prices would fall. (Related: Irrational fears travelers have — and what to do about them.)
In the meantime, you can avoid the worst of the seat reservation fees by flying on airlines that don’t charge them, or don’t charge them as often. Those include Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
But who am I kidding? Airlines would just shrink the size of their seats even more, leaving all of us scrambling desperately to feel a little less tortured on our next flights. We’ll pay. Yes, we’ll pay.
The only way airlines would ever drop these reservation fees is if the government forced them to.
Your turn: Have you ever paid extra for a seat assignment—and regretted it? Scroll down to share your story in the comments after the FAQs.
FAQs
It depends. If you want a specific seat, need extra legroom, or are traveling with family, it might be worth it. For solo travelers on short flights, it often isn’t.
Airlines charge for seat selection as a way to increase ancillary revenue. It’s a fee-based upsell on top of your ticket, not tied to actual operating costs.
In most cases, seat assignment fees are non-refundable, unless the airline changes your flight or you’re upgraded. Always check the fare rules.
Most major U.S. airlines guarantee free seating for families with children under 13, following DOT guidance. You shouldn’t have to pay to sit with your child.
No. Prices vary depending on the airline, seat location (aisle/window/extra legroom), route, and demand. Algorithms often determine the final price.
Pro Tip: If you’re flying with kids or booking early, skip the seat fee. Most airlines will seat families together for free—and you’ll often get decent seats at check-in anyway.
The airline seat fee game
A traveler’s guide to when to pay and when to save.
The golden rule of seat selection
If you have a ticket, you have a seat. Airlines will assign you one for free at check-in or the gate. Don’t let them scare you into paying.
When to consider paying
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If you’re on a long flight (3+ hours) where comfort is a priority.
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If you have a specific need, like an aisle seat for more room or a window to sleep against.
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If you must sit next to a travel companion and they are over the age of 13.
When to save your money
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If you’re traveling solo and don’t care where you sit. The middle seat on a short flight is a small price to pay for saving money.
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If it’s a short flight. You can endure almost any seat for an hour or two.
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If you’re flying with kids under 13. Most U.S. airlines guarantee they will seat you with your child for free.
What you’re saying
Is paying for a seat assignment a fair business practice or an infuriating junk fee? Your comments on the issue reveal a deep divide, with opinions ranging from strategic acceptance to outright frustration.
Paying for peace of mind
Many of you, including top commenter Gerri Hether, willingly pay for premium seats to avoid the “yada yada yada” of the economy experience. It’s less about luxury and more about buying back sanity, comfort, and control over your travel environment.
It’s a fair business practice
Several readers, like KanExplore and CasaAlux, argue that airlines are businesses and have every right to charge for better seats, just like concert venues do. The consensus here is that you can’t expect full-service perks when you’re paying a low-cost fare.
The family seating conflict
The issue of family seating is a major point of friction. DSW Ministries is adamant about not switching seats with families who didn’t pay to sit together, reflecting a common frustration. Others, however, point out that unexpected disruptions can separate families, not just poor planning.