Seat selection at check-in

[eminere]

When online check-in opens, can I select a particular seat for free or are fees still payable if I want to change what the system has allocated to me?

 

[JohnK]

For Jetstar in my experience seats are not free during OLCI if you have not already paid for seats up front.

 

[p--and--t]

The answer to the question varies greatly and depends on a number of factors including which Airline and the class of ticket purchased.

As you have posted in the Jetstar thread, will assume you have a Jetstar ticket.

If you bought the cheapest class of ticket (a.k.a. not a bundle), and you didn't pay to select your seat, you are generally not given a choice to select a seat.

If you get to the airport early and talk nicely to one of the check-in agents and the seat you want is still available, they sometimes will accommodate.

 

[eminere]

The answer to the question varies greatly and depends on a number of factors including which Airline and the class of ticket purchased.

As you have posted in the Jetstar thread, will assume you have a Jetstar ticket.

If you bought the cheapest class of ticket (a.k.a. not a bundle), and you didn't pay to select your seat, you are generally not given a choice to select a seat.

If you get to the airport early and talk nicely to one of the check-in agents and the seat you want is still available, they sometimes will accommodate.

Your assumption is correct.

It’s an award ticket redeemed through Qantas so I understand seat selection is not included as part of the ticket. What I wanted to know, as a non-Jetstar flyer and from those that do fly Jetstar, is whether seat selection becomes free when check-in opens, like with some airlines eg: BA, or if it will always cost money to allocate/change a seat.

 

[eminere]

Bump. Any other people familiar with the Jetstar processes?

 

[JohnK]

@eminere my answer above is correct. No free seat selection during OLCI if you have not already paid to allocate those seats up front.

Turn up to airport early as most have not paid to allocate seats.

 

[eminere]

@eminere my answer above is correct. No free seat selection during OLCI if you have not already paid to allocate those seats up front.

Turn up to airport early as most have not paid to allocate seats.

Thanks. And I assume no earlier than 3h prior?

 

[JohnK]

Thanks. And I assume no earlier than 3h prior?

That would depend on whether flight is open at the time and whether agent is willing to assist.

One thing to note is that everyone has been assigned a seat. If you print your boarding pass during OLCI can you see that seat? If happy do nothing. If not a good seat then turn up to airport early.

 

[clifford]

One thing to note is that everyone has been assigned a seat. If you print your boarding pass during OLCI can you see that seat? If happy do nothing. If not a good seat then turn up to airport early.

If everyone has been assigned a seat, then it would seem there may be no "good" seats left at check in. Or am I wrong?

 

[p--and--t]

If everyone has been assigned a seat, then it would seem there may be no "good" seats left at check in. Or am I wrong?

"Good seats" is subjective, many people would argue over which are the best seats for them. Some like windows, some like aisle, some like up front, some like over the wing, some like not far from a toilet or galley.

Even if the seats are preassigned, many people do not check-in online and wait until they get to the airport. If the op gets to the airport before them, the agent can reassign into anywhere in the "not checked-in pool".

 

[JohnK]

If everyone has been assigned a seat, then it would seem there may be no "good" seats left at check in. Or am I wrong?

I think the term is theoretical seating. On full flights there may not be any leeway to move. On not so full flights you may end up in a decent seat.

For the record I always pay for seat at time of booking but not for my 3 year old daughter unless I buy Starter Plus for her too. Last flight we were in row 30 but the flight we were in row 2.