How to choose a seat with American Airlines? from Airfare Policies's blog

American Airlines, one of the largest airlines in the United States, offers passengers the option to select their seats before their flights. This feature is a crucial aspect of the travel experience, allowing travelers to tailor their journey according to their preferences. In this article, we will explore the ins and outs of the American Airlines seat selectionprocess, including how to choose a seat, the types of seats available, and tips for securing the best seat for your needs.

When booking a flight with American Airlines, passengers have the option to select a seat during the booking process. This can be done online through the American Airlines website or mobile app. 

Booking Your Flight: When you book your flight through the American Airlines website, app, or a third-party booking platform, you will usually have the option to select your seat during the booking process.

• After booking, if you didn't choose a seat or wish to change your selection, go to the American Airlines website or open their app.

• Navigate to the "My Trips/Check-in" section.

• Input your booking reference (also known as a record locator) and your last name to retrieve your booking.

• Once your booking details are displayed, select the flight for which you wish to select or change a seat.

• Click on the option to choose or change your seat. This will display the seat map for your flight.

• Seats that are available for selection will be highlighted. Note that certain seats may require an additional fee, such as Preferred, Main Cabin Extra, or exit row seats, which offer more legroom or other advantages.

• Click on the seat you prefer. If there is an additional charge for the selected seat, the fee will be displayed. You will need to agree to this charge to proceed.

• After selecting your seat, confirm your choice. If there is a fee, you will be prompted to enter payment information.

• Once your selection is confirmed, and any necessary payments are made, review your updated booking details to ensure your seat selection has been successfully updated.

• Save any changes and make sure you receive a confirmation email or notification indicating your seat selection has been updated.

• When it's time to check in for your flight (usually 24 hours before departure), verify your seat selection again through the American Airlines website or app. This is also a good time to make any last-minute changes to your seat selection if needed and available.

Remember, if you're unable to select a seat at the time of booking or if you prefer not to pay for a specific seat, American Airlines will automatically assign you a seat. This usually happens when you check in for your flight. If you're traveling with children under 15, American Airlines will make an effort to seat your family together before the day of departure.

Seat selection is available from the time of booking up until a few hours before the flight. However, it's advisable to choose your seat as early as possible, as the availability of preferred seats decreases as the flight date approaches.

These are standard economy seats. Passengers can choose from available seats in the main cabin at no extra cost, or pay a fee for preferred seats that offer more legroom or are located in more desirable areas of the cabin.

These seats provide more legroom and are situated in the front of the main cabin, allowing for quicker deplaning. There is an additional fee for these seats, although they are complimentary for higher-tier members of the American Airlines loyalty program.

This class offers wider seats with more legroom, enhanced meal service, and other amenities. These seats come at a higher cost than standard economy seats.

For those looking for a luxury experience, business and first-class seats offer the utmost comfort with features like lie-flat seats, premium dining, and additional privacy.

As mentioned earlier, the earlier you book, the better the selection of seats you’ll have.

If comfort is a priority, it might be worth paying extra for Main Cabin Extra or Premium Economy seats.

Some airlines release additional seats at check-in, which may not have been available earlier. Checking in as soon as possible can sometimes secure a better seat.

Frequent flyers with American Airlines may have access to better seats and complimentary upgrades depending on their loyalty status.

If you’re not satisfied with the available seat selection, be flexible with your travel dates or consider different flights to find the seating arrangement that best suits your needs.

American Airlines seat selection process offers flexibility and control to passengers, ensuring that their journey starts on the right foot. By understanding the options available and planning, travelers can enhance their flying experience with seats that cater to their comfort and convenience.

When choosing your seat on American Airlines, prices can vary widely. For passengers opting for standard seats, selections are usually free, except in cases of basic economy fares where seat selection comes with an additional cost. However, for those looking to enhance their travel experience with extra legroom on long-haul international flights, fees can ascend to more than $160.

Upon completing your flight reservation—or sometimes during the booking process, depending on the carrier—you can access the seat map by clicking on it to choose your preferred seat. If you're making a reservation alongside friends or family members under the same booking, it's common for the system to automatically assign adjacent seats to your group.

If you find yourself unable to select a seat on American Airlines at the time of booking, it's advisable to try again as your departure date approaches. Should you still be without a seat selection by then, rest assured that American Airlines will assign a seat to you at the time of check-in.

To sidestep a seat selection fee, consider booking your seats simultaneously if you're traveling as a group. Airlines often aim to seat individuals booked under the same record locator number together, especially when assigning seats automatically. This strategy can help ensure you and your travel companions are seated close to each other without incurring additional charges for choosing specific seats.

When traveling on American Airlines with children under 15 without pre-assigned seats, the airline's system will automatically attempt to find seats together for the family before the departure day. Although American Airlines endeavors to keep families together, if seating options are limited, the priority will be to ensure that each child under 15 is seated next to at least one adult. This approach aims to accommodate families as best as possible within the constraints of available seating.