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?

Reserving seats on an 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 your 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 give bonus miles to passengers they have seated differently 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 the way back, surprises are possible: in Germany the principle of “whatever you’re lucky” works, and 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, the bonus program in practice does not give the right to reserve a specific chair. 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:

  • To book a 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 carers (elderly people or those with medical needs). 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 reservations for regular customers, so closer to the end of check-in, new options appear.

The feature has not become available? Go to the airport early to get good seats. 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 located 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 of large companies if you preferred the cheapest fare.

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 booked certain seats in economy class, but were not provided with them, 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.

Find cheap plane tickets without leaving your home: