Previously, in order to get a good seat on an airplane, you had to go to the airport and negotiate a specific seat individually with airline employees. Today you don’t even need to leave your home to do this. All you have to do is find out how to choose a seat on a plane by electronic ticket. On many ticket sales services you can not only book a ticket for a specific date, a specific flight, but also choose the most suitable seat in the cabin.
In order to select and reserve a specific place, there is no need to wait for registration to open. Immediately after placing your order and electronic ticket, you will receive an email containing a diagram of the aircraft cabin. Empty spaces on this diagram are marked in a brighter color. All you need to do is move the cursor over the appropriate seat and click on it with the mouse. Then click "Save".
About 180 airlines offer passengers who buy tickets online to choose a suitable seat in the cabin. Among the carriers that provide such a right, it is necessary to highlight:
- Aeroflot;
- « Ural Airlines»;
- UTair;
- SWISS;
- Lufthansa and others.
Please note that some airlines provide this service for an additional fee. For example, British Airways allows the passenger to independently choose a seat on the airliner from the available ones for $16. Moreover, this opportunity is provided only to passengers flying in economy class and purchasing tickets for flights that last no more than 3 hours. For a longer flight, this service will cost $32. If you want to book a seat in business class, you will have to pay approximately $100 to select a seat. Therefore, before using this service, find out more about its cost and other nuances that may be specified in the rules of a particular air carrier.
Book a specific seat either at the airport, having agreed with an authorized employee, or at the self-check-in counter.
By choosing the right seat, you will spend your flight time with increased comfort even in economy class
What else should you consider?
In the process of booking a specific seat, passengers are often faced with a situation where the diagram shows very few empty seats and all of them are “unsuccessful” in terms of location. Most often this happens due to the fact that carriers themselves book advantageous seats. Subsequently, authorized employees allocate these seats to certain categories of passengers who purchase air tickets for a given flight. Companies themselves reserve several seats in order to later give them to pregnant women, elderly people, and passengers with children.
There are two ways out of this situation:
- You can arrive at the airport early for check-in and ask the employee at the counter to give you one of the “advantageous” seats. As practice shows, most often authorized employees satisfy such requests.
- You can also wait until all passengers are seated on the plane. If you then notice a suitable empty seat, ask the flight attendant to move you to that seat. Usually there are no obstacles to this.
If you're flying business class, you won't have to pay to book a specific seat. The only exception is if the passenger is used to sitting in one specific seat for individual reasons. In other cases, there is no point in booking a specific seat, since all seats in this class are distinguished by a high degree of comfort provided. You can sit comfortably in any place, lean back and straighten your legs.
Unlike booking in advance, which often requires additional financial costs, there is a much more cost-effective way to get your desired seat on the plane. As a rule, check-in for a flight opens 1.5-2 hours before departure. If the passenger completes online check-in, he will be asked to choose a seat on the plane from all the remaining available ones. In this case, booking a seat will be free, but there is a high probability that the desired seat will already be occupied by another passenger.
How to find out your seat in the cabin?
Many passengers wonder how to find out their seat on a plane using an electronic ticket? This information is not displayed on the ticket itself. The cabin seat number is indicated on the boarding pass, which you will receive after checking in for your flight. Another option to find out the seat number is to call the airline representative. You will be asked for your reservation number, after which an authorized employee will find the ticket number in the database and announce the seat in the aircraft cabin.
Aeroflot has been one of the leading airline companies for several years now, both for legal entities, and for physical ones.
One of the latest services that is in demand among passengers is purchasing a ticket at Aeroflot and registering online using its number.
Previously, after purchasing an air ticket, the passenger went to the airport and had to stand in a long line to check in.
Online registration:
Conditions under which a passenger can check in independently
A passenger who purchased a ticket online does not have to go to the airport and check in.
It is enough to know that you can check in for a flight:
- on the Aeroflot website, but it is not necessary to create Personal Area;
- registration takes place together with other passengers at the airport premises.
It is worth noting: If the ticket was purchased at the airport’s electronic ticket office, the best option would be to issue it through the website.
You will definitely need the information about the fastest way to get to Vnukovo airport.
Where can I get the procedure done?
The answer to this question is obvious.
If you decide to buy a ticket and register online, then everything can be done:
- at home or in the office via the Internet;
- the procedure is possible 24 hours before departure and ends 45 minutes before it;
- If it is not convenient for you or there is no way to access the Internet, then you can carry out the procedure together with all passengers in the airport terminal building.
Take into account: Online check-in is prohibited for passengers traveling with animals or carrying luggage or weapons. If a child is flying unaccompanied by adults, this service is prohibited; check-in takes place only at the airport building.
What is a reservation code and where to find it
After a passenger has purchased a ticket on the Aeroflot website, or rather booked it, the system assigns a reservation code to each client. This is the number thanks to which it will be possible to produce online registration and go on a journey.
The booking code is located in the upper right corner of the ticket The reservation code does not change, so you can immediately write it down in a notepad.
It is important to know: To avoid fraudulent activities, so that you are not sold a ticket for a non-existent flight, please note that the code provided by Aeroflot consists exclusively of Latin letters. Numbers and capital letters are not added to it.
If you were unable to write down the reservation code, you can find it on the printed ticket. It is located in the upper corner. When ordering a ticket, the code is also sent via SMS to the number specified when purchasing the ticket.
In addition, when reserving a ticket, a personal e-mail is also indicated, and the reservation code is duplicated to it. If you do not find the specified code in your inbox, be sure to check your spam folder. It happens that letters arrive in it.
What to do if the ticket was purchased through an intermediary
Please pay attention to those purchasing tickets on intermediary websites - in this case a booking code is not provided. The client is issued only a registration number consisting of letters and numbers. In this case, the code required for online registration can be clarified by the contact number of the intermediary.
Instructions - how to check in for an Aeroflot flight
First of all, the passenger must be the holder of a ticket purchased in advance.
In order to register an Aeroflot airline ticket, you must:
- Go to the airport website - www.aeroflot.ru. The minimum time for which registration can be made is one day.
- Then you need to follow the link - “Online services”.
- In the window that opens, the field “Online registration” will appear. On this page you can find a lot of advice on check-in and baggage issues.
Note: When boarding, it is mandatory to present a paper ticket; without it, passengers will not be allowed on board the aircraft.
- After entering all the necessary information, a window will appear on the page in which you will need to confirm your consent to the registration conditions.
- Only after this the registration window will appear. In this window you need to enter the reservation code and the details of the person in whose name the ticket was purchased.
Take note: The full name is entered exclusively in Latin.
- Then the system automatically selects passengers. We find our data and put a tick next to our last name. Next, enter the seats that you like and that’s it - online check-in for Aeroflot flights is completed.
Boarding pass - what is it and where to get it
After a ticket has been booked and purchased, the system will prompt the passenger to print boarding pass. If you do not have it when boarding the flight, then you will not be allowed to board the plane.
Since we are talking about online check-in, the boarding pass will be on a regular A4 sheet. When boarding the aircraft, the flight attendant takes the ticket from the passenger.
A standard boarding pass purchased at the counter looks a little different. It is orange in color and small in size. When landing, part of it is torn off by the flight attendant, the second part is given to the passenger.
Why is online pre-registration sometimes unavailable? Online check-in starts 24 hours and ends 45 minutes before flight departure. Accordingly, the online registration procedure is not possible earlier or later than the specified time.
And remember - on many intermediary sites the online registration procedure is paid! To register online for free, use the official Aeroflot website, where this procedure is free, both for domestic and international flights.
If you want to join the Aeroflot Bonus program, you need to create a personal account on the official website - triple double aeroflot dot ru.
Advantages of registering Aeroflot Online
Advantages of online check-in for Aeroflot flights using an electronic ticket:
- The passenger does not have to stand in line with everyone else; he can go through the entire procedure without leaving home, provided he has a computer and the Internet.
- The client independently chooses the place where he will feel comfortable.
- Upon arrival at the airport, you do not need to go to special counters, since your boarding pass will already be on hand.
Note: Check-in must be completed no later than 45 minutes before takeoff.
Disadvantages of the service
Like other services, the procedure has negative aspects:
- You cannot register online for flights flying under a code-share agreement, since Aeroflot is not the actual carrier for these airlines.
- Ticket numbers for available flights of the Russian company start only with seat 195. That is, when registering online, you cannot buy seat No. 150.
- There are also restrictions on departures from certain airports. You cannot buy a ticket online for flights departing from Aktau, Tehran and many other airports.
Problems may also arise with luggage. Such passengers can only drop off their luggage at designated counters marked DROP OFF. If there is no such counter, then baggage check-in is carried out on a general basis on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aeroflot - online check-in from a mobile phone
Recently, more and more passengers are using mobile check-in for Aeroflot flights.
The main feature is that when checking out from a mobile phone, the boarding pass is displayed on the phone after going through all the menu items. To ensure that the coupon does not get lost, you can send it by email and save a photo.
When boarding a flight, you must present your mobile phone so that the flight attendant can read the information on your boarding pass. For your own safety, it is better to print it when electronic registration for the flight. As a last resort, there are counters in Sheremetyevo where this service is provided.
Aeroflot's online check-in service allows customers to save valuable time, effort and nerves, as well as choose comfortable places.
Watch a video in which an experienced user clearly demonstrates how to check in online for an Aeroflot flight, perhaps this step-by-step instruction will save you a lot of time:
Until recently, you could only buy flight tickets at the airport. This caused discomfort because there was no choice of passenger seat. You also need to stand in a long line, wasting a lot of time. Now you can purchase tickets online and choose the most comfortable seat. Each airline has an official website.
What you need to choose a place
To choose passenger seat in the cabin of an airliner for a comfortable trip, you can act in several ways:
- purchase an electronic ticket;
- choose a place when purchasing documents directly at the airport;
- ask the flight attendant to leave a certain seat for the passenger on board when boarding.
Air carrier employees cannot always remember the requests of each passenger. Therefore, it is better to book a seat on the plane using an electronic ticket. To do this, you will need a computer or a modern gadget with an Internet connection.
Selecting a seat when purchasing a ticket
This is the most convenient option. Airplane seat reservations are made directly on the airline's website. To do this you need to do the following:
- go to the company’s Internet resource;
- to book a ticket;
- choose a convenient place for the flight.
The advantage of this method is quick selection and reservation of a place. Despite this, there are certain disadvantages. Some airlines charge an additional fee for selecting a seat on board. It varies between 16-32 dollars. USA.
Some airlines block seat selection that is near emergency exits or in the front rows. It is comfortable to sit on them, as there is enough space in front to stretch your legs and have a great rest. These chairs are designed to accommodate pregnant women or those with a child under 1 year old, people with disabilities, passengers with animals.
Important! Passengers traveling with children over 1 year of age are prohibited from purchasing tickets near emergency exits. A child may pull the emergency door handle. This will lead to depressurization of the interior.
If you were unable to select a seat on the plane when purchasing a ticket, you can do so upon arrival at the airport. To do this, you need to tell the airline employee your wishes at the check-in counter.
The passenger needs to know that choosing a comfortable seat on board an airliner can only be done after booking a ticket on the company’s official website. Other online resources that offer tickets at a reduced price do not have this option.
Selecting a seat during online check-in
The advantage of this method is that you can book a passenger seat from any convenient location. To do this, you will need access to the Internet and the ability to print a ticket.
Online registration of seats on the plane begins one day before departure. And it ends 45-60 minutes before it. The passenger independently chooses the most convenient seat.
Main advantages:
- no need to come to the airport several hours before departure to check in;
- no need to stand in line;
- It is enough to go through passport and customs control.
In addition to the visible advantages, there are also disadvantages. Some airlines do not allow online check-in and seat selection for passengers with pets, small children, or luggage.
It is worth noting that some foreign airlines provide online check-in for passengers with luggage. At the same time, they increase the norm to 7 kg. These are nice bonuses for buyers.
Note! In any case, you must arrive at the airport in advance to check in your luggage. It must be weighed and handed over at a special counter.
To start online check-in, you need to go to the official website of the air carrier. Each ticket contains a reservation number. It is entered in the appropriate field in the window that opens. A diagram of the interior will open in an additional window. All that remains is to select a suitable place by indicating its number in the appropriate field.
It happens that convenient places are occupied. The air carrier books them independently. These seats accommodate passengers with children, disabilities, and animals. It is better to arrive at the airport in advance and ask at the check-in desk to reserve a specific seat.
Through mobile offers
Airlines are developing official Internet resources. Anyone can use them. For greater user convenience, special mobile applications are provided. They are also company websites. They must be downloaded to a gadget that is connected to the Internet.
They are designed for the following:
- reservations;
- purchasing tickets;
- registration of insurance;
- online registration;
- obtaining information on the status of all air carrier flights;
- checking the “Bonus Miles” account balance, if the company has announced such a promotion;
- obtaining information about airport services.
These apps are quite easy to use. You need to follow the same steps as when booking seats on the company’s official website. The passenger will need a ticket number. It is indicated in the appropriate field. After this, a window will open on the gadget’s screen in which a diagram of the interior is presented. You just need to click on the place you like. After that, confirm your choice.
Please remember that booking a seat through mobile apps can be expensive, just like on official websites. It is best to book a seat through online intermediaries.
Each airline has its own seat markings in the aircraft cabin. So, for example, places 1E and 1B can indicate several options at once: near the aisle and the porthole. Beforehand, it is better to independently look at an additional explanation of the seat markings on the company’s website.
Places near kitchen and sanitary facilities are considered crowded. The aisle seats are also uncomfortable. Especially for passengers who prefer to sleep during the flight.
Interesting fact! According to statistics, the smallest number of tickets are purchased for flights during lunch hours. This can be used to get the most convenient location.
If you were unable to select a seat during online check-in or when purchasing a ticket, you can do so directly at the airport. To do this, you need to inform the air carrier employee about the most convenient place for the passenger that he has chosen for the flight.
If the place is booked incorrectly, you can still correct the situation. You need to check in for the flight, board the plane, and wait for the message from the flight attendant “Boarding complete.” After that, ask him to take another free seat. As a rule, passengers are not denied this.
A comfortable seat in the aircraft cabin will allow you to enjoy air travel. Moreover, it is not at all necessary to go to the airport, because you can choose the appropriate option using an electronic ticket.
How to buy an e-ticket
To make a purchase, you need to go to the airline’s website or a web resource that provides intermediary services and complete the required actions. It is beneficial to purchase an electronic ticket on an aggregator website, where there are specific offers of existing flights for the required date. You can buy a cheaper plane ticket here.
Selling an electronic ticket using any of the above methods is safe if it is carried out on the official website of the airline or on another well-known portal. Passenger data will be protected.
Selecting a location
Please note that not every company has the opportunity to reserve a specific seat in an airliner cabin. Various selection options may be available:
- window seat;
- the most comfortable seats only for certain categories of passengers (parents with children, pensioners, pregnant women, tall people);
- complete lack of choice;
- payable service;
- selection of any chair you like.
If such a service exists, then after electronic registration the ticket buyer will be provided with a map of seats in the cabin, the empty ones of which are highlighted in bright color. Having chosen the appropriate option, you should move the cursor over the seat and click with the mouse, and then click on the “Save” button. The specified seat is reserved for a specific passenger.
Benefit electronic booking seat:
- No queue.
- The opportunity to receive a pleasant bonus (some companies practice this service as a thank you for online registration).
Important points
If a passenger is charged an additional fee for reserving a seat on the carrier’s website, you should pay attention to purchasing an electronic ticket through an aggregator. The benefit stems from the fact that this type of service often provides services through airline commissions, which reduces costs.
It may be difficult to book a popular flight due to the lack of a sufficient number of good seats, some of which may be reserved by airline employees. In this case, it is recommended to arrive at check-in in advance to be among the first and ask the airport staff for a convenient seat.
Purchasing an electronic ticket, which gives you the opportunity to choose a seat in the cabin at your discretion, will ensure a pleasant and comfortable flight.
As you plan your trip, learn how to make airline reservations and choose the options that suit you best. Where once you could only determine whether you wanted a window or aisle seat, you can now reserve almost any seat. But under what conditions is the service provided?
How convenient is the online booking service?
Reservations for aircraft differs from a similar procedure for ground transport. After all, initially you only purchase a travel document, and the seat number is given to you upon registration. For this reason, you need to arrive at the airport in advance: this will increase the chance of getting comfortable seats.
But what if you don't want to spend a few extra hours in duty-free stores? Make your reservation online and choose your window or aisle seat option in advance. If you want to buy a specific seat, the airline will most likely ask for an additional fee.
Pre-booking your airline seats online has the following advantages:
- To carry out the procedure, you only need a computer connected to the World Wide Web.
- The ability to choose a place in the bow, center or tail will allow you to find the best option. After all, there are no universal recommendations: some passengers prefer the comfort of business class, located closer to the cockpit, while others rely on safety (according to statistics, travelers sitting in the rear survive accidents).
- Advance booking can be made at any time, where you choose a date and compare prices. Payment is made from electronic wallets or a bank card.
The option of booking via the Internet also has its disadvantages. Sometimes 2 passengers choose a seat almost simultaneously: the one who completes the process faster gets a ticket. In order not to compete with another applicant for the seat you like, start the procedure as soon as web check-in opens (as online registration is called) or pay an additional fee at the stage of purchasing a ticket.
What do you need to book a seat on a plane?
To make a flight reservation you will need the following:
- access to a computer or gadget that has Internet access;
- passport (to confirm identity);
- purchased e-ticket.
The latter is also called an electronic ticket: major carriers have switched to this format. Information about it is contained in the airline’s databases; you will receive it by email. If you have not yet purchased a travel document, determine the type of flight, departure and arrival points, and travel dates. Enter the data into the search form on the carrier’s or intermediary’s website and click “Find tickets.”
Then select the offers you like and click on “Buy”. Fill out the form that appears and proceed to payment. There is no reason to fear for the security of money transfers if you make a purchase on official websites or through trusted intermediaries.
The information will be stored in the airline’s databases, and the passenger will receive a copy of the itinerary receipt with the ticket number by email. Some companies don't even allow you to make printouts; if you need to present them when checking in for a plane, use the printers at the airport.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact the air carrier's office or contact them by phone.
Online check-in for a plane: instructions
Airplane reservations can be made 24-36 hours in advance (depending on the carrier) when airlines begin check-in. The process goes like this:
- open the itinerary receipt delivered by email when purchasing a ticket;
- find your reservation number;
- enter it in the appropriate box on the airline’s website, indicate your last name;
- check the information to avoid errors;
- if you have a frequent flyer card, enter its details;
- In the plane diagram that opens, indicate the desired seats.
Finally, print out your boarding pass, which you will present at the airport. By using this method, you will save time: you will not need to stand in the general queue at the check-in counter.
How can I find out how many seats are left on a plane? When completing the web check, you will see a diagram of the aircraft, where the necessary information is indicated.
How to make a payment
If you book air tickets online, make payments using a bank card or electronic payment systems. When purchasing at the airport ticket office, you can pay in cash or by card. Pay attention to the correctness of the information provided, as it can be difficult to return funds.
How to print a plane boarding pass
Some companies accept boarding passes received by phone or do not require their presentation: just say your last name. But most carriers insist that you make a printout. You can use the printer in your home, at a self-check-in kiosk, or on a machine at your counter.
What does a plane ticket look like?
If you printed out the coupon and forgot it at home, don’t worry: you can repeat the action. Please also note that the already selected location can be changed after the paper document is in your hands. Typically, economy class passengers can choose another option one time without paying additional fees.
Not all categories of passengers are allowed to print out tickets themselves. Unaccompanied children, infants and people requiring special services must go to check-in in person.
Advance booking: are there any guarantees?
Passengers often wonder whether it is possible to reserve certain options that they will choose not a day before departure, but a couple of weeks. But the final placement in the cabin is determined at the registration stage. If you haven’t completed it online and haven’t indicated your wishes in other ways, it makes sense to be one of the first to arrive at the airport: the chances of a comfortable flight will increase. But it happens that the aircraft begins to be filled from the tail, so the method does not provide a 100% guarantee.
Even if you went to the site, opened the diagram and indicated the desired location, the procedure is regarded as “indicating passenger preferences.” From the company's point of view, you order a certain type of service (special service request), but it has the right to unilaterally refuse you. Sometimes airlines provide bonus miles passengers whom they placed in other seats without consent. But this is not their responsibility: compensation is given for the sake of preserving the image.
If you are flying in the business section of the plane, all options will be convenient
How can you increase the chance that you will sit in the designated seats? Make an additional payment! The “Buy a seat” option becomes available when you make a purchase online, at the box office, or in mobile applications. And to save yourself from unpleasant surprises, find out the prices in advance. For example, at British Airways the pleasure will cost $16, provided that the flight lasts less than 3 hours and you are traveling in economy class. For a longer stay in the air, the choice will cost $32; Business class travelers will pay the most, as they will part with $100.
In some cases, the company refuses to confirm the order: this is due to the fact that the selected option may be needed by passengers with special needs. Money for services not provided will be refunded in full.
How to book seats through mobile apps
On the websites of airlines or intermediaries, customers are offered mobile applications for iOS and Android. They allow you to search for offers, buy tickets, and create complex routes. At your disposal is a price map and calendar by dates: postponing your flight by a couple of days can often save you money.
You can learn more about the advantages of the Aeroflot mobile application and how to book seats on a plane using it from the video:
To select your favorite onboard placement, follow the same pattern as with a stationary unit.
Code sharing information
Does it happen that you study the departure board and see that flights from different companies are indicated at the same time and in the same direction? This does not mean that 2-3 airliners will take off at the same time. In fact, different carriers enter into agreements for the flight, which is why you see several names on the board. This situation is called code sharing - thanks to it, companies expand coverage without increasing the number of aircraft.
This option is suitable for travelers who want to be loyal to a certain company and earn miles. You will also book flights with suitable connections.
In most cases, you need to register for codeshare flights at the airport counter, and the procedure is carried out for all “legs” of the flight. For example, Aeroflot reports that web check-in is not possible for such trips (in practice, it is sometimes possible to implement it). This means that you may not be able to reserve certain seating options in advance. But clients advise trying the following trick:
If you bought a ticket from another company and will actually be flying with Aeroflot, please contact customer support by phone. Provide your departure time, destination and your personal details to receive a booking code for online check-in. According to reviews, you can go through the procedure remotely with it.
But even if the carrier allows you to check in online, passenger reviews indicate that the sites experience glitches. To save yourself from unpleasant experiences, you need to find out how much you can book seats on the chosen plane, and not delay check-in until the last moment.
But, even if you go through it using the Internet, it is not always possible to make a choice. Users on the forums claim that on some sections of the route a diagram appears where places are marked automatically. The specifics of the procedure depend on the carriers, so check the conditions in each specific case.
Even if the company’s website says that you will complete the procedure online, due to technical problems, passengers sometimes have to rush to the check-in counter.
Features of online check-in at airlines
Carrier rules are based on general principles, but it is necessary to verify the information. To ensure that you are seated on time, please pay attention to the online check-in features.
At Aeroflot
The carrier starts web checking 24 hours before departure and ends 30-45 minutes. To get a comfortable seating, go through the procedure early, while many seats are free. But it is not available for flights heading to the USA and India: you will have to go to the airport.
Keep in mind that even with web checking you will have to go through security control. Calculate the time for pre-flight formalities, because in 20 minutes. You must complete all stages before departure.
The ability to select seats depends on the ticket tariff: in some cases the function is not available. But how attentive is the carrier to the wishes of passengers who have indicated certain accommodation options? The answer is provided by user reviews:
Traveled with a friend from Bangkok to Moscow, booked seats in economy. Upon boarding, it turned out that the seats in the first row, which we were going to take, were given to other passengers. A company representative said that since the service is not paid, the carrier has the right to change arrangements. The first row is often provided to passengers with children, so I was not surprised. But on a “business” flight, I sat in reserved 1A, although I didn’t pay any money for the service.
I made sure that booking accommodation works depending on which point you are flying from. When I leave Moscow, the agreement is respected in 99% of cases. I flew to Munich, London, Bangkok - everything went smoothly. But on way back surprises are possible: in Germany the principle is “whatever you’re lucky”, but in London I never got into the seat I ordered. Even if he was one of the first to check in for the plane!
When departing from Moscow, there was another problem: one day the record that I had booked seats in the bow disappeared from the system. The company representative said, “This happens,” and sat me down near the toilet.
Compliance with the agreements depends primarily on the fare of the plane ticket and whether you ordered a paid service. If you selected the “Buy a seat” option when purchasing, then problems arise less often.
To learn more about how to go through the web check procedure at Aeroflot, watch the video:
Ural Airlines: what you need to know
When traveling on Ural Airlines, check in early to select your seats. The function becomes available 24 hours before departure, and web checking ends 3 hours before this date. You will be able to indicate your preferences based on the free options. To be guaranteed to reserve a certain seat immediately after purchasing a ticket, use a paid service.
The website states that the following categories will not have to pay money for choosing a seat:
- loyalty program participants who received gold or silver cards;
- for those who bought a Premium Economy ticket.
How realistic are the promises? The answer to the question is given by the carrier's clients:
I was previously happy with the company, so I joined the loyalty program. But the service has deteriorated: despite the information on the website, bonus program in practice does not give the right to reserve a specific seat. When I last flew with Ural Airlines, I decided to look at the layout of the plane in advance: everything was free up to the 15th row. But I couldn’t make a choice! Why promise then?
Unfortunately, the inability to book a place was not the biggest drawback. It turned out that tickets for my flight were not sold in the required quantity, so it was cancelled. It was like I was riding in a minibus! They warned me about the cancellation, but I couldn’t find any other tickets at reasonable prices, and the vacation had to be cancelled. Ural Airlines returned the money, but the vacation was ruined.
S7: how to book seats on a plane
If you want to be guaranteed to sit in a certain seat, S7 will offer to use the corresponding service. The cost depends on the type chosen:
- Per booking standard seat you will have to pay 300 rubles.
- The Extra space category will cost 1,000 rubles. The legroom will be 25 cm wide, and you will be sitting at the emergency exit or in the 1st row.
For children 2-12 years old and their parents, the service is provided free of charge, although the choice is limited. They are not allowed to sit near emergency exits: in the event of force majeure, flight attendants may need help to quickly open the hatches. For this reason, minors or people with disabilities are not accommodated in nearby places.
The price for the service is determined by the tariffs:
- If you purchased an Economy Flexible ticket, you will not have to pay extra for the booking. You can decide on your wishes at the web check-in stage.
- Prices for Economy Basic are shown above.
- When purchasing tickets at the Business Basic and Business Flexible rates, you will make a reservation at the checkout stage. If you do not take advantage of this option, it will be available during online registration.
The service is free for the following categories:
As for the quality of service, it can be judged by reviews:
We flew from Novosibirsk to Bangkok on an S7 plane; we had children with us (2 kids, 2 and 3 years old). To make it more convenient for us, I paid for comfortable seats, spending 12,000 rubles. There was no rush to register, because they knew that they had made a choice and transferred the money. As a result, after arriving at the airport, I found out that the seats were given to other people. The company did not even refund the money, since this requires showing boarding passes, which I did not save.
Rossiya Airlines: what will you get?
The Rossiya carrier also offers the opportunity to choose suitable accommodation on board. If you want to take advantage of the free service, the seats that remain unoccupied after pre-booking will be at your disposal. They become available 24 hours before departure: mark the appropriate seats on the map when checking in online.
For an additional fee, you will choose seats from the Space + (with increased distance between the rows), A-Zone (in the bow) or Front Rows (in the front rows) categories. You can read the terms and conditions.
I paid for the Space + category: I wanted a pleasant vacation to start while still in the air. But it turned out that my chair’s armrests did not go down. And on the right side there was a remote control, which occupied an already small space. As a result, I had to sit sideways, and it was not possible to buckle up at all. When I tried to rest my head on the headrest, it fell off. I demanded that the flight attendant move us to other seats, so the money I paid for Space+ was wasted.
The recent case of public figure Ann Coulter has become an example of how not to behave if you receive poor service on an airline. After flying with Delta Airlines, Ann started a Twitter campaign complaining about the violation of agreements.
A few days before the trip, she booked seat 15F, located by the window next to the emergency exit. 24 hours before departure, the company canceled the reservation and offered Anne the 15D option, which suited her. But when checking in, Coulter found herself on 15A, which caused the woman's outrage. She expressed it after the flight: almost 2 million subscribers read complaints about non-compliance with the preliminary agreement.
As a result of the proceedings, it turned out that Coulter’s claims are related to the fact that she did not read the terms of the contract. She received back the $30 she paid for the booking, but her image was damaged. The insults directed at the service personnel were especially ugly, and almost led to legal action by the company.
Does the carrier have the right to cancel a booking?
What can you do to avoid wasting time and energy on fruitless complaints? Read the terms of service. Companies usually stipulate that they have the right to send another aircraft, delay or cancel the flight, and determine the required placement of passengers in accordance with the load. In fact, they are only obliged to get you from point A to point B, providing other services as possible. What can you expect when you pay for your reservation?
When you are given other seats when checking in for a plane
When a carrier cancels an arrangement, it is usually because seats are given to family members who wish to sit together, or to accompanying persons with care (elderly people or those in need of medical care). Sometimes travelers with disabilities ask for an aisle seat so they don't have to scramble for a seat near the window. Changes are also due to the fact that passengers are evenly distributed throughout the cabin so that the center of gravity of the aircraft does not shift. You just need to know how to react in such a situation:
- If you are asked to change seats, be polite and remember that the carrier has his rights. Instead of arguing with the staff, keep your boarding passes so you can get a refund on your booking later.
- What to do when you are traveling with a child or an elderly person? Notify the company in a timely manner and the likelihood of your reservation being canceled will be reduced.
- Were you seated on a broken seat? If there are free seats in the cabin, take them. When this is not possible, take a photo of the damage: later try to contact the carrier’s representatives and ask for compensation. Alas, you shouldn’t count on large sums.
Since airlines reserve the right to change arrangements, do not waste your energy and nerves in vain. If your reservation is canceled, politely ask the carrier's staff to meet you halfway and, if possible, seat you in a comfortable seat.
When there are no options available to book
Sometimes it happens that you cannot make a reservation during online check-in, although the function is provided in the tariff. The fact is that not all options are available for web checking. And those from which you are allowed to choose turn out to be busy! In this case, check the information periodically: other passengers may cancel the flight, and seats will become available. Airlines also make reserves for regular customers, so towards the end of registration new options appear.
The feature has not become available? Go to the airport early to get good places. If you are not satisfied with them, contact the employee who checks boarding passes. For example, when family members cannot sit next to each other, he asks other passengers to sit in their chairs. Is this your case? Be patient and polite - ask, don't demand. Keep in mind that airport staff are not able to magically satisfy the wishes of passengers!
Separate instructions are provided for those who are traveling as a family but cannot reserve seats nearby. The problem arises when there is more than 1 child: it is difficult to book 4 comfortable seats nearby. If you find yourself in a similar situation, mark on the diagram the best available options. Later, an airport employee will ask passengers to change seats: they will be more willing to respond if they do not have to sit near the toilet.
To make your task easier, use the “Buy a seat” function: it is available when purchasing a ticket. True, you will have to pay significantly more! As a last resort, mark your wishes on the diagram, taking into account that each child should have an adult family member nearby.
When you did not have time to make a reservation or were unhappy with the result
It happens that travelers do not have time to make a reservation or they do not like the chosen option: a family with a baby sits next to them, the seat turns out to be broken, etc. In this case, warn the flight attendant that you want to find more comfortable seating.
You don’t have to wait for help, but rather take the initiative into your own hands. When the announcement sounds that boarding is complete, choose a comfortable seat and take it. Just don’t try to change seats to seats next to emergency exits. You may be asked to return to your seat; options with extra legroom are at a premium and are not permitted to occupy. Exceptions are possible when the entire row is empty.
When reservations are not allowed
The function to select suitable seats is not available if you buy tickets from low-cost airlines. You will not be able to indicate your wishes when traveling on lines large companies, if you preferred the cheapest tariff.
Plane fares that do not allow seat reservations
Conclusion
When making a booking in economy class, keep in mind that air carriers have the right to cancel it unilaterally. Even if you have made payment, there is no guarantee that you will get the desired place. If you cancel your seat reservation, you will simply receive a refund. True, when you fly in the business sector, the chances of being in the desired seat increase. But this class of service will be comfortable no matter where you sit. If you have booked certain places in "economy", but they were not provided, remember: the carrier stipulates the possibility of such situations. Be polite to the staff and ask to find a more comfortable option; the money for your reservation will be returned to you.
