how do i get seat assignments on american airlines

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The Guide to American Airlines Seat Selection

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American Airlines seat selection fee

How to select seats on american airlines flights, how to avoid paying american airlines seat selection fees, when can you get a refund of american airlines seat selection fees, final thoughts on american airlines seat selection.

Seat selection is complimentary for many seats on most American Airlines tickets. However, as you can tell by that convoluted sentence, American Airlines seat selection isn't free for all passengers.

So, how much does American Airlines charge for seat selection? We’ll answer this question and explain how you can avoid paying an American Airlines seat selection fee.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

The cost to select a seat on American Airlines ranges from free — for standard seats except when booking basic economy fares — to over $160 for an extra-legroom seat on a long-haul international flight.

American Airlines seat selection fees vary based on several factors — including the flight length and what type of seat you want. Window and aisle seats are generally the most expensive. Meanwhile, a middle seat in between two preferred seats might not cost anything.

» Learn more: The complete guide to American Airlines partners

American Airlines travelers can select seats during the flight booking process or after purchasing a flight. If you're just starting a flight search, we recommend logging into your AAdvantage account first. That way your information will be auto-filled, and you'll be able to maximize any frequent flyer perks you have. More about that below.

Say you want to travel from Denver to London. First, you'll need to select your flights. During the search process, you can preview available seats by selecting the "seats" link in the search results. This can give you an idea of the number of available seats for your group. However, the price for selecting seats won't be listed yet.

After selecting your flights, reviewing fare upgrade options, entering your information and declining the option to buy miles, you'll finally be able to select seats for your flight.

If you booked a basic economy fare , you'll have to pay for a seat selection no matter the type of seat. In the example below, prices to choose a seat range from $9-$24 depending on which one you select.

If you booked a standard economy fare, you can select any standard seat for free. Or you can pay for preferred and extra-legroom seats — in this example, the cost ranges from $10-$22 for a preferred or Main Cabin Extra seat.

You won't be able to select seats on flights operated by partner airlines — even if the flight has an American Airlines flight number. Instead, you'll have to complete the booking to get the partner confirmation number (also referred to as a PNR or record locator). Then, you can contact that airline for seat assignment.

If you booked an American Airlines flight through another airline, you’ll need your American Airlines confirmation number. Once you have this, head to the American Airlines homepage and click the "manage trips/check-in" tab.

Enter your last name and the confirmation number to find your trip. Then, you'll see your seat selection options.

The most reliable way to avoid paying a seat selection fee is to have elite status through American Airlines or through an eligible partner airline, such as Alaska Airlines or British Airways . Additionally, you can redeem AAdvantage miles to pay seat selection fees.

Preferred Seating

All tiers of AAdvantage elite status get complimentary access to preferred seating — standard-legroom seating in preferred areas of the cabin — from the time of booking. Similarly, elite members of oneworld Alliance partner airlines get complimentary access to preferred seating on American Airlines, even at the lowest Ruby tier.

Main Cabin Extra

In addition to extra legroom, Main Cabin Extra seats also grant travelers early boarding and complimentary snacks and drinks — including beer, wine and spirits.

AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elites get complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats from the time of booking. Gold elites can select Main Cabin Extra seats free of charge within 24 hours of departure.

Similarly, Alaska MVP Gold, Gold 75k and Gold 100k elite members can select Main Cabin Extra seats from the time of booking. Alaska MVP members must wait until 24 hours before departure to select Main Cabin Extra seats for free. However, basic economy fares aren't eligible for this benefit.

» Learn more: The guide to American Airlines elite status

Using AAdvantage miles

If you can't use elite status to avoid American Airlines seat selection fees, you may be able to redeem AAdvantage miles to pay for them. Like the cash cost, the mileage cost depends on factors such as the length of the flight and the location of the seat in the cabin.

The redemption rate for seat selection fees is typically about 1 cent per mile. That's not a great rate. NerdWallet values American Airlines miles at 1.6 cents each. Still, this could be an appealing redemption option if your mileage balance is too low to redeem miles for flights.

You'll need to have enough AAdvantage miles in your account to cover the entire cost of the seat selection fees. Otherwise, you'll either need to select a seat that costs fewer miles or buy more miles. Travelers don't have the ability to buy a single seat with a combination of miles and cash.

» Learn more: Easiest ways redeem American Airlines miles

Upgrading to a Main Plus ticket

Travelers who pay for a Main Plus ticket get complimentary access to preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats. This option isn't free. However, the extra cost may be worth it to get an extra checked bag, preferred boarding and complimentary seat selection.

American Airlines seat selection fees are generally nonrefundable. However, you can get a refund of your seat selection fees in a few specific situations.

For example, American Airlines will refund your seat selection fees if you opt to upgrade to business or first class, pay more for another seat on the same flight, cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking (if you booked at least two days before departure) or cancel your flight and purchase seats on a rebooked flight.

You'll also get a refund when American Airlines cancels your flight — or if American delays your flight long enough to miss a connecting flight on which you purchased seats — and doesn't provide a comparable seat on the new flight.

American Airlines seats can generally be selected during booking or after booking your flight. However, you'll need to avoid basic economy fares to get free seat selection. And you'll only get free preferred or extra-legroom seat selection if you have elite status or use miles to pay the fee.

If you’re having trouble making your American Airlines seat selection, check to see if your flight is operated by a partner airline. If so, you'll need to retrieve the confirmation code for that airline and contact the airline to choose a seat.

(Top photo courtesy of American Airlines)

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What You Get Flying American Airlines Basic Economy (& How to Beat It)

Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. A professional journalist, he joined the comp...

Whether you're planning a domestic trip, vacationing in the Caribbean, heading to Europe, or flying all the way to Australia, basic economy fares have become nearly unavoidable. But every airline handles these no-frills fares a bit differently: What you get (and what you don't) can vary wildly.

Now it's time for a look at American Airlines basic economy.

Like many airlines, the American Airlines basic economy fare is the carrier's lowest-priced fare class. But the lower price comes at a cost: You give up free seat selection, earning some (though not all) American AAdvantage miles, and most importantly, the ability to change or cancel your ticket for free if plans change – or if prices drop. In fact, these cheaper fares have gotten even worse with even higher charges to check luggage on some ultra-long-haul flights.

But just what restrictions come with flying American Airlines basic economy? What kind of baggage can you bring, when can you board, and what mileage will you earn? Keep reading.

What You Get with American Airlines Basic Economy

What routes have basic economy fares, get a free checked bag and priority boarding with american co-branded credit cards, pay for a seat assignment, or get an even better seat for free.

When American Airlines first rolled out its basic economy offering years back, it was one of the worst in the skies.

It was so restrictive that, like United basic economy , you couldn't even bring a carry-on bag on board with you – just a backpack. And there was no way to pick a seat, for free or whether you paid up.

Luckily, that has changed as years ago, American relaxed its carry-on baggage restriction , allowing travelers to stow a bag overhead when buying basic economy tickets. And while AA made a handful of improvements to its basic economy fares throughout the pandemic, there have been some recent changes that aren't so good.

Here's a current look at what you get with an AA basic economy ticket:

• Baggage: Board basic economy with a carry-on bag and personal item for free; $35 each way for a checked bag when you pay online (or $75 each way to Europe and other ultra-long-haul destinations like Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel).
• Seat Selection: Available for a fee at time of booking, typically starting at $9 or 10 each way. Otherwise, seats are automatically assigned.
• Boarding:  Final boarding group (Group 9).
• Earning AAdvantage Miles: Yes, you will earn American Airlines AAdvantage award miles at a rate of 2x miles per dollar, which is significantly less when compared to earning at least 5x points per dollar with an AA main cabin economy fare.
• Earning Status: Yes, but you'll only earn 2x Loyalty Points per dollar compared to at least 5x points per dollar with a main cabin economy fare.
• Upgrades: Yes, American basic economy fares are eligible for paid upgrades as well as complimentary upgrades with AAdvantage elite status.
• Ticket Changes and Cancellation: You can only cancel for a full refund within 24 hours of booking. Otherwise, AAdvantage members who book basic economy can cancel roundtrip domestic flights for a credit, minus a $99 fee. International basic economy fares cannot be canceled, period.

As you can see, American practically begs you to skip a basic economy fare and instead opt for a standard main cabin fare. This kind of upsell effort is common across the major airlines: The entire point is to draw you in with a cheaper fare, then hit you a bunch of restrictions designed to upsell you to a pricier main cabin economy fare. And while the price tag can vary, you can typically count on paying an additional $30 to $35 each way to avoid basic economy on a domestic flight – and much, much more when traveling internationally.

It's not all good news. American Airlines has begun hiding these bare-bones fares under the cover of a regular “Main” cabin ticket in its search results  online at AA.com and on its smartphone app.

So while you'll initially see a $337 price tag on this roundtrip flight from Phoenix (PHX) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) explicitly labeled as a main cabin ticket, click through and you'll see that's for an  American Airlines basic economy  fare – that better main cabin fare actually costs another $60.

On the bright side, American has made basic economy slightly less painful over the years by allowing travelers to purchase a seat assignment right away. Previously, you had to wait until seven days before your flight. Now, you can pay up for a seat assignment when you're booking your flight. And best of all, the fees to pick a seat (and avoid getting assigned a dreaded middle seat) are typically reasonable, starting around $9 to $10. 

And for years, American basic fares were among the worst because could not be changed nor canceled, period.  They've gotten some flexibility back thanks to recent changes from AA , but with some major caveats:

• Only domestic basic economy fares qualify for cancellations. International fares still cannot be canceled for a travel credit
• You must have booked with your AAdvantage account directly through American – not through a third-party site or travel platform
• You'll forfeit $99. So if you paid $299 for a roundtrip basic economy ticket to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), you'll only get a $200 travel credit if you cancel

American has made a slew of other negative changes to these fares in recent years that make them even more painful, including:

• As of 2023, you'll now earn just 2x AAdvantage miles for every dollar you spend on your American basic economy fare – down from 5x miles per dollar previously. Same goes for earning AA Loyalty Points to build status with the airline.
• American also now charges $75 each way to bring a checked bag on flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel.

Read more:  What You Get with Basic Economy Fares (& Why You Should Avoid Them)

Whether you're flying to Austin (AUS) or all the way to Australia, you may see basic economy fares across the globe searching with American now.

American Airlines basic economy has been rolled out on routes heading to all the following locations:

• U.S. domestic fares
• Mexico and Central America
• The Caribbean
• South America
• Middle East
• Australia & New Zealand

But just because AA basic economy fares exist on these routes doesn't mean you'll always see them. Throughout the pandemic, we've seen American Airlines stop selling its pesky basic fares on many routes – especially within the U.S.

That has changed in recent months, as basic economy has returned to most domestic flights and even many long-haul destinations. But you might get lucky and miss out on basic economy altogether. Trust us: That's a win for travelers.

How to Beat American Airlines Basic Economy

Basic economy is a pain no matter what airline you're flying. But flying American Airlines basic economy can be a little less painful with the right strategies – and the right cards in your wallet.

Co-branded airline credit cards can be a powerful weapon to beat basic economy on any carrier. And with American, you’ve got two options that give you identical benefits.

The  Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®   and the  AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® both get you a free checked bag on any domestic AA flight – along with up to four other travelers booked on the same itinerary. But let us stress: This free baggage benefit only applies to domestic flights.

And unlike some other airline co-branded cards, you don’t need to actually pay for your flight with the card to get the benefit. It automatically applies once the card is attached to your AAdvantage account.

That’s huge, as checked bags cost at least $35 each way for domestic flights  within the U.S. The  Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard ‘s annual fee of $99 is waived for the first year, which means you have a full year to take advantage of free baggage before paying a single annual fee.  

Click Here to learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard’s  annual fee of $99 isn’t waived for the first year. But even at that price, it could pay for itself after checking bags on just two round-trip flights each year.  

Click Here  to apply for the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard  (this is not an affiliate link)  

But if you’re  living the carry-on life , you may need overhead bin space, too. And considering basic economy fares on American board in the final Group 9, there’s no guarantee you’ll get it. Both co-branded cards also move you all the way up to Group 5  even when flying basic economy.  

No one wants to get stuck in a dreaded middle seat. On paper, American Airlines basic economy could leave you stuck there, as you don't get free seat assignment.

But there are two ways you can get the seat you want flying AA basic economy. One will cost you a bit extra, while the other strategy could help you score an extra legroom seat … for free.

American allows even basic economy flyers pay extra for a seat, starting right when you book your flights. The American Airlines seat selection fee will vary widely by flight, but they’re pretty reasonable: The fee for a seat typically starts at $10 or $12 for a middle seat and just a few bucks more for an aisle or window seat. Seats closer to the front of the plane will generally cost more than those at the rear.  

Just beware that if your basic economy fare isn’t a nonstop flight, you’ll have to pay separately for each segment of the trip.

But don’t count on getting a better seat for free by talking to a gate agent shortly before departure – a favorite trick among frequent flyers.  Y ou still have to pay up to move to a better, empty seat before boarding.  Of course, this may vary by agent. And if your flight is full, you’re out of luck.

So if you want to ensure you're not stuck between strangers, your best bet is likely to pay up for a seat assignment right when you book – or long before your flight takes off.

Worried about sitting next to your children? American guarantees seats together , even with basic economy fares!

Feeling bold? You might be able to score an extra legroom seat for free.

Buying one of American's Main Cabin Extra seats – which typically come with an extra 3-4 inches of legroom – will generally cost you a lot more than your standard seat, at $40 or more each way. But a quirk in how American Airlines assigns these seats as its planes fills up could land you a spot there without paying a dime.

If you haven't already paid for a seat, American Airlines will automatically assign you one when you check in. And if no standard economy seats are left by the time you check in, American will put you in a Main Cabin Extra seat. See where we're going with this?

So by waiting to check in for your flight until the economy cabin is full, you can automatically be placed in a Main Cabin Extra seat for free. It's a bit of a gamble and it certainly won't work every time – only when your flight is filling up. But it's worth trying out on your next American Airlines basic economy flight.

Read more on how patience can pay off with extra legroom when flying American basic economy.  

Bottom Line

Basic economy has transformed the airfare world. Offering these bare-bones fares allows American to compete with budget carriers on price while pitting flyers with new restrictions – largely in hopes that they’ll pay up to upgrade.

Yes, these fares are a pain – and American Airlines is no exception. But with the right tools, credit cards, and knowledge, you can make them less painful and beat American airlines basic economy fares.

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Kyle Potter

Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. A professional journalist, he joined the company in November 2018 after five years covering state and national politics for T...

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3 Responses

You might get better cancellation policies if the flight is codeshares. I’m flying AA internationally next month. The cost for the same basic economy was higher on AAs website than on British Airways and Finnair (both codeshare on the flight). So I purchased through BA. A couple days after booking my plans changed and I was able to make a change for no fee thankfully there was no fare difference. BA also allows me to get credit for the flight should I need to cancel. All for the same exact basic economy seat.

What about if you have AA status? Then can you check bags for free? Get priority Boarding?

I am going to an Iraq War Reunion with my old platoon and after I bought my Basic Economy American Airline ticket they added a camping trip following the reunion that I would like to attend. I called to try and extend my trip and the representative said there was nothing he could. Is this true? Is there any way to extend my flight, even if I need to pay a little extra?

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American Airlines Basic Economy: What Are The Restrictions?

• Ben Schlappig
• Published: January 31, 2024
• Updated: February 6, 2024

Nowadays, all major airlines in the United States (with the exception of Southwest) offer some sort of basic economy fares . In this post I wanted to take a detailed look at American Airlines basic economy , to reflect what it’s like nowadays, especially since some positive changes were made to these recently. Separately, I’ve written about similar fares offered by Alaska , Delta , JetBlue , and United .

In this post:

What is basic economy?

Basic economy was introduced several years back as a way for major US airlines to better compete with ultra low cost carriers, like Allegiant, Frontier, Spirit, etc. At least that was the claim, with the idea being that basic economy comes at a lower cost, but with more restrictions.

Basic economy is ultimately a tool for airlines to better segment the market. Those looking for the cheapest fares might book American basic economy rather than a competitor, while the airline hopes that most consumers are willing to “buy up” to more expensive fares, which come with fewer restrictions.

Restrictions with American basic economy

If you choose to book an American Airlines basic economy ticket, what restrictions are you agreeing to? Below is what you can expect, in no particular order.

Pay for seat assignments

American Airlines basic economy tickets don’t allow free seat assignments in advance for most customers. You’ll be automatically assigned a seat at check-in (which can either be at the airport, or starting 24 hours out via online check-in).

However, when booking a basic economy fare:

• All passengers can pay to assign a seat at the time of booking
• AAdvantage elite members who are eligible can select Main Cabin Extra seats at the time of booking at no cost; this includes Concierge Key , Executive Platinum , Platinum Pro , and Platinum members , while AAdvantage Gold members can select Main Cabin Extra within 24 hours of departure
• Those traveling with children 14 and under will automatically be assigned seats together, as part of American’s family seating commitment

Board the plane last

If you book a basic economy fare on American Airlines, you’ll generally be in boarding group eight or nine, which are the last boarding groups. The downside to boarding last is that there might not be space for your carry-on, so you may have to gate check it.

• AAdvantage elite members and those with a co-branded AAdvantage credit card that has an early boarding benefit are exempt from this
• All AAdvantage members can at least board with group six
• Basic economy passengers can pay for priority boarding, with the cost varying by flight

No free ticket changes

Several years back, we saw American Airlines eliminate change fees on a vast majority of fares. This is great, because it means you can cancel your ticket, and then apply the credit toward a future itinerary .

American basic economy fares come with more restrictions in that regard. American basic economy fares can be changed for a fee of $99, though only if they’re domestic, if your travel hasn’t yet started, and if you booked directly through American.

All other American basic economy fares are “use it or lose it,” meaning that if you need to change your travel, you’ll just forfeit the total ticket amount.

Limited mileage earning

American AAdvantage awards miles based on how much you spend rather than based on how far you fly. However, even so, mileage earning is restricted on basic economy fares. While AAdvantage members ordinarily earn 5x miles per dollar spent, basic economy tickets only earn 2x AAdvantage miles per dollar spent.

So if you care about earning redeemable miles or elite status, this is something to be aware of, as it will limit how many Loyalty Points you earn .

What’s not restricted in American basic economy?

If you book an American basic economy ticket, here’s what’s included as usual, among other things:

• The same food and drinks
• The same carry-on allowance as other passengers (one carry-on bag, and one personal item)
• The ability to standby for other flights at no cost
• Elite benefits, including eligibility for upgrades

American Airlines basic economy FAQs

Before I share my thoughts on the value proposition of basic economy, let me answer some common questions about American Airlines basic economy.

What American routes have basic economy?

American Airlines basic economy may be available on domestic routes, as well as flights between the US and Canada, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, South America, Europe, and Asia. On flights to Europe you may also find these fares on American’s transatlantic joint venture business partners, including British Airways, Finnair, and Iberia.

However, not all flights or markets will have basic economy available. If basic economy is available, you’ll see it listed as the first pricing option. Just because a flight doesn’t have basic economy doesn’t mean it won’t be cheap. For example, it’s not uncommon to see sub-$100 fares that are in regular economy, rather than basic economy. Conversely, you’ll also often find basic economy fares that aren’t cheap at all.

How much cheaper are American basic economy tickets?

The price premium for avoiding basic economy on American Airlines can vary significantly. As of now, I’d say it’s most common to see a $30 one-way premium for regular economy over basic economy. For example, take the below flight from Miami to Seattle, where the cost is $138 vs. $168.

Then take a New York to London flight, where the price difference is $150 roundtrip.

Does American basic economy allow a carry-on?

Yes it does. When basic economy was first introduced, these tickets allowed you to bring onboard a personal item, but not a full size carry-on. That restriction is no longer in place.

Does American basic economy allow a free checked bag?

Basic economy fares to most regions don’t allow a free checked bag. While that would otherwise be the case on most fares within the US, this even applies on most international flights.

There are two exceptions, which allow you to have free checked bags:

• You’re allowed one free checked bag on basic economy tickets to Israel, as well as basic economy tickets to Asia
• If you’re an elite member or have a co-branded credit card with a checked bag benefit, you can still take advantage of that as usual

What’s the difference between main cabin and basic economy?

When I talk about basic economy, I typically compare it to regular economy. That’s simply marketed as “main cabin” at American Airlines. There’s nothing more to it. Main cabin is the same thing as economy.

Is there a difference between basic economy and economy?

This will sound silly to some, but some people do wonder “so where on the plane is the basic economy cabin?”

Basic economy is purely a different ticket type, and there’s not a separate cabin for basic economy passengers. Rather basic economy passengers are seated throughout the plane, like everyone else.

Is American Airlines basic economy worth it?

When American Airlines first launched basic economy, it was extremely restrictive — you wouldn’t get a carry-on bag, and almost no elite benefits were honored. Fortunately basic economy isn’t nearly as punitive as it used to be.

In many ways that makes it easier to calculate the value of basic economy. That’s especially true when you consider that you can now pay for seat assignments and other perks, meaning you can essentially recreate the regular economy experience on a basic economy ticket, with the exception of the ability to make ticket changes at no cost.

Let me share my take on the value of basic economy, both for elite members and non-elite members.

Basic economy as an AAdvantage elite member

As an Executive Platinum with American AAdvantage, I’d have no qualms booking basic economy if the savings were significant enough. You can still assign seats, you’re still eligible for priority boarding, and you can still score complimentary upgrades.

You’re giving up two main things. First of all, mileage earning is reduced by 60%, as you earn fewer AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points. Second of all, you’re giving up ticket flexibility. Domestic basic economy tickets will cost $99 to change, while international basic economy tickets can’t be changed at all. With basic economy often costing $30 less than regular economy, it comes down to whether it’s worth paying that much extra for ticket flexibility, after factoring in the value of the miles you’re forgoing.

Basic economy if you don’t care about status

Aside from ticket flexibility, as a non-elite member the biggest question is how much you value not boarding last and/or not being able to select seats:

• You can always pay for these things individually, and compare costs
• It’s not like you’d otherwise be among the first to board on a regular economy ticket; for that matter, becoming a member of AAdvantage allows you to board with group six
• Even on regular economy tickets, there are few seats that can be assigned for free

Using the same example where the price difference is $30, I had a look at the cost to assign seats on a basic economy ticket. Standard seat assignments cost $9-10.

So you’d pay $30 extra one-way to avoid basic economy, or alternatively you could pay $9-10 to assign a seat. However, you’d still be left with limited ticket flexibility, which is the biggest restriction. You’d also earn fewer miles, though that’s something that many people probably won’t care much about.

Bottom line

Basic economy is a tool that airlines use to maximize yields. They know they’ll attract some people with very low fares, while they know that others are willing to pay a premium to avoid these restrictions.

The good news is that basic economy has become much less punitive since it was first introduced, in terms of taking advantage of elite benefits, in terms of being able to customize your experience, and even in terms of making changes.

In the case of American Airlines, there are two main disadvantages. You earn 60% fewer AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points (2x miles rather than 5x. miles). Furthermore, your tickets have less flexibility. While other tickets can be changed for free, basic economy tickets can be changed for $99 domestically, and can’t be changed at all internationally.

Personally I think it’s worth paying the premium for flexibility and extra miles, but everyone will have to crunch the numbers based on their own situation.

Under what circumstances do you end up buying basic economy tickets? How do you do the math?

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Hi, Anyone help? Travelling basic economy US to UK. Can I pay to check in a large 23 kg suitcase at the airport. I can’t do it online or get it free, didn’t realise when I bought ticket. How much might it cost? Thanks, Ruth

AAdvantage Platinum here. I purchased a basic economy fare for an international flight (DFW-DUB) for myself and my parents (who don’t have status) on basic economy. I know I still get to check two bags for free due to my status; my question is, does this baggage allowance also apply to the other passengers on my itinerary, even if they don’t have status?

There will probably also be a difference in soft treatment in the event of IROPS

Great write-up, Ben! I hope you will have an upcoming similar write-up for Basic Economy on United. Thanks in advance.

Strange that you mentioned that Basic Economy tickets are changeable. I purchased one and when the price dropped later for the same flight I was told that Basic Economy tickets are non-changeable nor modified outside of schedule change.

But it is true, getting these days any Basic Economy or Lite tickets on any airlines is sort of like taking a gamble.

@ Mike -- The ability to make a change for a fee is a new option as of this month.

Just yesterday canceled a LAS-LAX flight that I had booked in Main for $120 and rebooked in BE. BE was $49, and the current price for Main was still $120. This is my first time ever booking BE, but as a Plat Pro, I couldn’t find any reason to keep the Main ticket.

It's really designed for infrequent flyers that will never have/chase status and will take the risk their travel plans won't change. I also don't believe BE fares will be given an upgrade offer on their reservation-at least that's what's been reported on FT.

Interestingly yesterday a few minutes before boarding a PHX/LAX flight a man approach the gate agent and apparently asked about whether he could pay for an upgrade and was told his fare...

Interestingly yesterday a few minutes before boarding a PHX/LAX flight a man approach the gate agent and apparently asked about whether he could pay for an upgrade and was told his fare was ineligible. I'm assuming he was flying on a BE fare. Although why anyone would pay a walk up upgrade fee for a 350 mile flight?

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American Airlines Check-in

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How can I check in for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

You may check-in for your American Airlines (AA), including American Eagle and Envoy Air, flight with the following options:

• Online check-in (Web check-in)
• Mobile check-in
• Curbside check-in at the airport
• Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport
• Ticket counter check-in at the airport

Does American Airlines (AA) have online web check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight online starting 24 hours and ending 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination ) to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device or a printable boarding pass. You may use this option if:

• you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on American Airlines (AA)
• you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
• you are not a special needs passenger (for example an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)
• you are not traveling on a military fare
• the first flight of the itinerary is codeshare operated by British Airways, Iberia, or Japan Airlines

Can I check bags with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?: No, you must check bags at the airport via cubside check-in, kiosk, or the check-in counter before the check-in deadline for your flight.

Can I pay bag fees with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?:  No

Can I select or change my seat with the American Airlines (AA) online web check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) offer mobile check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight with your mobile device starting 24 hours and ending 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) to receive a mo-bile boarding pass on your mobile device. You may use this option if:

• you are not a special needs passenger (for example, an unaccompanied minor)
• you are departing from an airport which accepts mobile boarding passes (if not, then you may check-in and print a boarding pass at the self-service kiosk or ticket counter).
• you are not traveling with an infant (a printed boarding pass is required)

Does American Airlines (AA) offer curbside check-in? (US Carriers only)

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight curbside at most U S airport locations from 45 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination). You will need your photo ID and also your flight reservation code, flight number destination, or electronic ticket number to check-in. Please check American Airlines (AA) website for an exact list of participating airports

Does American Airlines (AA) offer self-service kiosk check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight at the airport self-service kiosk from 45 minutes to 24 hours (5 hours for Miami) before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the American Airlines (AA) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) offer ticket counter check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your American Airlines (AA) flight at the airport ticket counter from 45 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time (depending on your departure city and destination) and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat at the American Airlines (AA) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Does American Airlines (AA) charge a fee for a seat assignment?

American Airlines (AA) does not charge a fee for selecting a standard seat assignment.

When do I need to check-in for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

The minimum time to check-in for an American Airlines (AA) flight is:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for U S domestic flights
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

When do I need to arrive at the airport for my American Airlines (AA) flight?

Suggested arrival time before scheduled departure time:

• 1 hour for US domestic flights if not checking baggage
• 1.5 hours for US domestic flights if checking baggage
• 2 hours for international flights to/from the US, and flights departing Hawaii and the U S Virgin Islands
• 2.5 hours for flights departing Honolulu
• 3 hours for flights departing Canada, the Caribbean islands, Central America, France, Ireland, Mexico, Nassau, South America, and Spain
• 3.5 hours for flights departing Bogota, Colombia
• 4 hours for flights departing Montevideo, Uruguay

Minimum required check-in time with carry-on baggage:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for most US domestic flights

Minimum required check-in time with checked baggage:

• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights from hubs and heavy traffic airports listed on AA.com
• 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US and departing St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
• 75 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights from Buenos Aires and Dublin
• 90 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights from Caracas and Maracaibo

When do I need to be at the boarding gate?

Boarding closes at the following times for American Airlines (AA) flights:

• 15 minutes before scheduled departure time for US domestic flights
• 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from the US

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How To Choose the Best Economy Seat on American Airlines

James Larounis

Senior Content Contributor

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Table of Contents

American airlines’ economy seats, basic economy, standard economy (main cabin) seats, preferred seats, main cabin extra, premium economy, final thoughts.

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Key Takeaways

• American Airlines offers several economy seating options, including Main Cabin Extra, Preferred Seats, and standard Main Cabin, each with varying levels of comfort and amenities.
• Main Cabin Extra provides extra legroom, earlier boarding than other economy passengers, and a complimentary alcoholic beverage.
• Preferred Seats offer a better location within the cabin, such as closer to the front, providing convenience without the added legroom of Main Cabin Extra.

No one likes to fly in the back of the plane, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. And when you do fly in economy class, it’s important to understand that not every seat is created equal. There are indeed differences among the seats in the cabin.

Today, we’ll take a look at American Airlines, which operates a very large domestic and international fleet. We’ll break down each of the economy seat options and tell you how to book them so that you’re prepared going into your next AA flight.

For the most part, American’s economy seats have the same physical attributes, so there’s no reason to necessarily book one aircraft over another in hopes of encountering a better product. Simply put, an economy seat is an economy seat when it comes to comfort.

That said, we can group the economy seats offered into different categories, each with pros and cons:

• Regional aircraft (such as an Embraer ERJ-145) tend to have cramped seat configurations , but also have a favorable 2-2 configuration where everyone has a window or aisle seat.
• On domestic aircraft (such as a Boeing 737-800), you’ll find economy class seats laid out in a 3-3 configuration , where seats in the bulkhead and exit rows are the best picks . Unfortunately, almost a third of the plane is stuck in a middle seat.
• American’s international planes (such as a Boeing 777-300ER) are laid out in a 3-4-3 configuration in economy, which is especially tight and not great for long flights. Fortunately, these planes have plenty of extra-legroom economy seats , making snagging one of these preferred locations very important for a long journey.

When it comes to selecting seats, not everything is equal, but we can generally place seats in the following categories:

• Some economy class seats you can select for free, with no strings attached . These tend to be the most unfavorable selections, including seats at the back of the plane or in the middle.
• Some seats are located in a better section of the aircraft and require a nominal fee to reserve them.
• Some seats include extra legroom and are offered for free to passengers with elite status.
• Some seats are located along bulkhead walls or feature extra legroom, and you’re able to pay a significant fee to select them.

While not physically limited to a specific section of the aircraft, Basic Economy fares are the most bare-bones tickets you can buy. While you can bring your carry-on on board, you’re not given an assigned seat until check-in. This effectively guarantees you the “leftovers” — usually the seats no one else wants to sit in.

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t want the uncertainty of a free-for-all seat selection or wants less stress on the day of departure, don’t choose a Basic Economy seat.

Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of Basic Economy seats:

• Attractive fares
• You won’t be able to choose your seat
• You won’t be able to guarantee sitting next to a companion or with your family
• Group 9 boarding ; the very last group to board

Seats that are not designated as Main Cabin Extra, exit row, Preferred seats, or Premium Economy are considered standard economy seats — these are the most ubiquitous seats you’ll find on the aircraft and are also the least desirable.

For the most part, there is no fee to select these seats.

Regular Main Cabin seats are highlighted in blue on the seat map and are free to select.

Here are the pros and cons of standard economy seats:

• These seats are free to select
• These seats do not provide any additional marginal benefit — they have standard legroom and no additional perks

A Preferred seat does not necessarily have extra legroom but is located in a part of the plane that is more desirable . You might have a Preferred seat that’s located toward the front of the aircraft, for example. If you can’t snag a Main Cabin Extra seat, a Preferred seat is likely the next best thing.

While these seats don’t have extra legroom, they are far better than a middle seat or one near the rear of the aircraft.

Preferred seats are highlighted in green on the seat map. These seats have a better location, but otherwise don’t provide better comfort.

Here’s a look at what you could expect to pay as an additional charge to secure a Preferred seat on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):

• Chicago (ORD) – Cancún (CUN): $36 to $43
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $93
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $13 to $20
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $13 to $20
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $93
• New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $69 to $75
• New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX): $63
• Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $29 to $35

Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Preferred seats:

• They tend to be located in more desirable areas of the plane
• For non-elites, there’s usually an additional charge for these seats, which is hard to justify since there’s no extra legroom or recline

Preferred Seats by Aircraft

Preferred Seat Stats

Hot Tip: To learn how to find the best seat on the plane, check out our ultimate guide to SeatGuru , where we guide you through how to use the site to view seat maps, specific dimensions, and aircraft types for nearly every airline worldwide.

If you’re going to sit in economy, you want to be sure you select a Main Cabin Extra seat. These are the best seats you’ll find in the rear section of the plane.

What makes these seats special is that they have extra pitch — that is, the distance between the seat back of one seat to the seatback of the seat in front. Simply put, these seats have far more legroom than their counterparts in regular coach .

When looking on AA.com, Main Cabin Extra seats are highlighted in orange.

Main Cabin Extra tends to be located in the first several rows of the economy cabin, though there are some notable exceptions, including rear bulkhead seats or a wide-body aircraft with multiple sections of economy seats.

In addition to extra legroom, there are also a few other perks you’ll get in Main Cabin Extra:

• Group 5 boarding , which is the first group of economy passengers to board the aircraft; keep in mind that if you have elite status or another qualifier that would allow you to board early, you board with the earliest possible group
• A single, complimentary alcoholic drink
• “Dedicated” overhead bin storage space , though this tends to be a hit or miss perk since there’s rarely any enforcement to prevent other passengers from storing their luggage in the dedicated space

Here are the various ways through which you can select a Main Cabin Extra seat:

• AAdvantage Gold members, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan  MVP members, and  Oneworld Ruby flyers can select a seat 24 hours before departure
• AAdvantage Platinum , Platinum Pro , Executive Platinum , and ConciergeKey members, Alaska Airlines MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K members, and Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald flyers can select seats at booking
• You can also purchase a Main Cabin Extra ticket at any time in the booking process

Hot Tip: You may want to take a look at what it would take to achieve American AAdvantage elite status or Alaska MVP elite status if you fly American frequently. Elite status often provides Main Cabin Extra seats for free, so the cost of pursuing status may outweigh the cost of purchasing these seats each time you fly.

Here’s a look at what it typically costs to upgrade to a Main Cabin Extra seat on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):

• Chicago (ORD) – Cancún (CUN): $99
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $107 to $123
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $22 to $24
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $22 to $25
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $166
• New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $76 to $113
• New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX): $109
• Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $70 to $77

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Main Cabin Extra seats:

• They have far more legroom than traditional economy seats
• They’re usually located in the forward portion of the aircraft , allowing you to get off the plane more quickly
• If you don’t have elite status, purchasing these tickets can be costly
• Middle seats are not blocked, so you may need to sit in a middle seat if there are no aisle or window seats available
• The seats don’t offer any additional recline

Main Cabin Extra Seats by Aircraft

Main Cabin Extra Seat Stats by Aircraft

While seats in the exit rows are sold as Main Cabin Extra seats, they come with a unique set of pros and cons that’s worth talking about separately.

First of all, it’s important to note that you must be at least 15 years old to sit in one of these seats and you must be “willing, ready, and able to assist in the event of an emergency.” You can’t sit in an exit row seat if you don’t meet all of those criteria, and selecting one of those seats without being able to perform the duties expected of you will result in you being moved — likely to a less-than-ideal seat since this will be done right before takeoff.

Exit rows are always highlighted in orange on the seat map, but also contain a specific designation of the exit row, so you know you’ll be seated there.

Exit row seats, in most circumstances, can be selected in the same manner as you would for a Main Cabin Extra seat. On some aircraft, there are multiple exit rows, so you’ll have more opportunities to select these seats.

Here’s what you can typically expect to pay for exit row seats on a variety of routes (prices are for July 1, 2022):

• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Santiago (SCL): $123
• Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) – Tulsa (TUL): $24
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Phoenix (PHX): $25
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Sydney (SYD): $129
• New York (JFK) – London (LHR): $113
• Washington, D.C. (DCA) – Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): $77

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of exit row seats:

• They have among the best legroom on the plane
• There’s ample room to get up and move around the cabin from these seats
• If you’re the type of person who needs to use the bathroom frequently, you may want to consider a seat in the exit row
• You must meet specific criteria to sit in an exit row
• Not all exit rows are created equal: if there are 2 rows, seats in the first one don’t usually recline to prevent issues with passengers trying to escape in an emergency
• The inflight entertainment screens are further away since they’re often built into the back of the seat in front of you
• Most exit rows still consist of 3 seats, so you’ll usually have a person in the middle seat for your journey

Hot Tip: If you have a mobility issue, cannot assist in an emergency, or do not speak fluent English, you will not be eligible to sit in an exit row.

Exit Row Seats by Aircraft

Exit Row Seat Stats by Aircraft

Premium Economy can only be found on wide-body aircraft that operate longer international routes, though these seats do show up on the occasional domestic flight.

While Premium Economy seats are much more desirable — and in a different class — than regular economy seats, it’s worth discussing them here as they technically are a subset of the economy cabin on eligible flights.

Premium Economy seats are highlighted in blue on the seat map, and are specifically labeled as Premium Economy. You can only select these if you book a Premium Economy ticket.

Here are the pros and cons of flying in Premium Economy with American Airlines :

• These seats provide far more legroom and width than economy seats
• Some seats feature a foot or leg rest
• They’re situated in a separate cabin
• They provide access to a dedicated lavatory
• Depending on the route, Premium Economy comes with upgraded meal service
• Premium Economy fares can be expensive , depending on the route
• These cabins do have middle seats, so you may end up in one
• Bulkhead seats have the inflight entertainment system stowed in the armrest, reducing seat width slightly

Premium Economy Seats by Aircraft

Premium Economy Seat Stats

There are many different seating types throughout American Airlines’ fleet, and it’s important to know the differences among each of these seat types so you know the best place to sit.

While all seats may look more or less the same, there are marked differences in legroom, location, overhead bin space, and more.

Keep this guide bookmarked so you can choose the best seat possible for your next flight in American Airlines economy.

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When booking, it says to contact British Airways for a seat assignment. Does anyone know if they will honor the terms with AA? The type of fare we're booking includes seats. Since it's being operated under a different airlines do we no longer get seat choices?

However I'd also price the flight on BA's website; it will probably be the same price (or maybe even cheaper) and you won't have to go through the rigmarole of getting the BA locator; you'll have it right from the outset.

It's more expensive through BA, at least $100 more per person.

“It's more expensive through BA, at least $100 more per person.“

BA does not charge for seat choice in Business (Club world)

Post 8 - yes it does.

“BA does not charge for seat choice in Business (Club world)”

If you have the appropriate BA or Oneworld status then this may be true, also for flexible bookings.

Seats in any cabin can also be selected free of charge from between 24-48 hours before departure depending on ticket type and destination. Excludes economy basic fares.

If I don't want to pay to choose my seats what makes you think I am going to pay for business class? haha! But thank you for the suggestion.

I didn't mean for that to sound snarky! I was just teasing.

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Worried about a middle seat with that basic economy ticket? Reserve a seat ⁠— for a fee

Two days before my American Airlines flight from Chicago to Las Vegas in June, I checked the airline's website to see how much they wanted for a seat assignment.

Yes, a seat assignment.

I was traveling on a basic economy ticket , and those no-frills tickets don't come with an advance seat assignment and carry other restrictions. The airline assigns you one at check in, so you never know where you'll end up on the plane.

Basic economy passengers who are afraid of getting stuck in a middle seat, or being separated from their traveling companions, have the option of selecting a seat for a fee. It's no different than the system used by discount airlines Spirit, Frontier and Allegiant , whose bare bones fares inspired major airlines to add basic economy tickets. 

The window for buying a seat with a basic economy ticket varies by carrier: United allows the purchase of a seat assignment during booking, while Delta and American only sell seats to basic economy passengers a week before the flight. Until July 2, American only allowed purchase 48 hours in advance on domestic flights. (American passengers buying international basic economy tickets can buy a seat when booking.)

My ticket to Las Vegas fell under the 48-hour policy. At that time, American's seat map showed a few options: a handful of $9 seats, including a couple of aisle seats and a couple of window seats and a few rows of "preferred'' seats closer to the front of the plane but without any extra legroom or other perks. The going rate for 17D, a "preferred'' aisle seat: $31. The priciest choice: $62 for an aisle seat in the exit row, one of American's Main Cabin Extra seats featuring more legroom and free drinks. 

There were no high-pressure tactics to get me to buy one. A note at the top of the seat map said: "If you don't want to pay for your seats now, we'll assign seats after you check in.''

I passed on all, as I usually do, on principle. (I also refuse to pay for Southwest Airlines' early bird boarding, one of the airline's versions of a seat fee.)

As a solo traveler, I've had good luck snagging an aisle seat on the basic economy flights I've booked. Until this trip.

The bad news greeted me when I checked in online: A middle seat. For 3 ½ hours. 

I wasn't worried about arm-rest hogs as much as I was about jumping over someone every time I had to use the restroom.

I didn't want to take my chances on a seat change at the airport on a Saturday in the middle of summer travel season , so I paid for a seat last minute. The $9 seats were long gone. I sprung for one of the Main Cabin exit row seats with free drinks they had peddled a couple of days before. It was a whopping $46, cheaper than it was when initially offered but still a fortune on a flight that was $200 one way in basic economy. The only reason I paid and didn't suck it up in a middle seat: I discovered remaining airline fee credits so I was reimbursed for the charge. (But that's another story.)

Lesson learned: Buy a seat the first time it's offered if a middle seat is going to ruin your vacation. Otherwise, save the money. My advice is exactly the same when you encounter seat-selection fees on a regular economy ticket. The fees are  everywhere, and the prices are on the rise .

Basic economy seat fees: four things to know 

1)  You don't have to pay for a seat assignment.  Airlines will assign you a seat for free when you check in online or get to the airport. You might not like the seat, and you will likely be separated from anyone traveling with you. Airlines say they block seats together for basic economy passengers traveling with young children, but travelers report varying success; ask at the airport or play the "will you trade seats with me?'' game on the airplane. The latter is becoming more difficult as passengers who have paid a fee for a particular seat (basic economy or regular economy) are reluctant to give it up.

2)  Seat fees vary by airline, flight, route, row and other factors. For a basic economy ticket from Los Angeles to Chicago in September, United last week was quoting seat fees from $12-$51 per person one way. The low end got you a middle seat or a window seat near the back of the plane, with an aisle seat there fetching $18. The $51 fee was an aisle seat in row 15. No extra legroom or other perks. 

Delta was charging a flat $29 one-way fee for a seat assignment on an Atlanta-New York flight this week.

American wanted $10-$43 one way for seats on a Dallas-Las Vegas flight this week.

3)  Do the math . Basic economy tickets are designed for price-sensitive travelers. Airlines do their best to scare passengers from buying them during booking, with pop-up windows and alerts galore about the restrictions, including no seat assignment, and listing the price difference over a less-restrictive regular economy ticket.

The gap between basic economy and regular economy varies widely. Sometimes the savings are well worth it, even with seat fees. In other cases, hefty seat fees can eat up any savings over a regular economy ticket.

Take the United flight from Los Angeles to Chicago: The fare difference between basic economy and regular economy was $80 round trip. Paying $13 each way for an aisle seat would still put you ahead $54. (Note, though, that United is the only airlines that forbids basic-economy passengers from bringing a standard carry-on bag . Only personal items that fit underneath the seat are allowed, and the policy is strictly enforced.)

Conversely, paying Delta $29 each way for a seat assignment on the Atlanta-New York trip would wipe out the $40 round trip savings between basic economy and regular economy.

My one-way American basic economy ticket from Chicago to Las Vegas was $35 cheaper than regular economy. A $9 seat fee would have still made it a deal, the $45 I ended up paying, not so much. 

One challenge here for ticket shoppers: only United lets you see the basic economy seat fees in advance on its website (though American does if it's an international flight.) So if assigned seats are critical to you, do the math using samples from this story..  

4)  Buying a regular economy ticket instead of a basic economy ticket does NOT guarantee you will get your pick of seats without paying a fee.

In their side-by-side comparisons of basic economy versus regular economy tickets on their websites, American, United and Delta each tout the opportunity to select your seat as a benefit of regular economy tickets. 

Read closely though and you'll see the qualifiers: American says "fee may apply,'' Delta says you can select "available seats'' and United says "complimentary seat assignments are offered when available.''

Depending on the flight and how far in advance you book, your only choices might be a free middle seat, or there may not be two seats together. The flights I spot-checked had free seats available when buying a regular economy ticket, but plenty of the seats were for sale.

Seat fees have become so prevalent, many travelers mistakenly think they are getting more legroom, a cushier seat or other perks by paying the fee. Those perks are reserved for travelers paying an even higher fare or seat price.

If your flight is canceled, here's what to know about securing a seat assignment on your new flight

When your flight is canceled , your mind immediately starts racing to figure out logistics. It's easy to get swept away in the details of booking a new flight, verifying your luggage will make it on your new route and more.

However, one aspect many travelers overlook when rebooking is seat assignments. While getting any seat can quickly become more important than securing your favorite seat, where you sit does matter to some people — especially families trying to sit together.

Personally, I'm team aisle when it comes to seats on airplanes, and while things happen, I wouldn't be thrilled if my aisle turned into a window seat (let alone the middle) through no fault of my own.

The good news is that travelers should be refunded for any paid seats on canceled flights, though the specifics of policies vary by airline. If you received a seat assignment without paying — such as via an elite status benefit — you shouldn't have to pay for a seat assignment on the rescheduled flight, either. Don't necessarily expect to get your seat of choice, though.

You need to be proactive

We'll get to refunds, terms and conditions in a moment, but the first thing to know if this happens is you need to be proactive with securing a seat assignment on your new flight following a cancelation if where you sit on the plane is a priority for you.

With flights taking off as full as they are, the odds are high that there aren't going to be a ton of seats still available when you're being moved to a new flight in the final days and hours leading up to departure. Don't just assume the airline is giving you and your family seats together — there may not be any available.

However, don't despair. Be proactive in trying to select your own seat, ask the airline for help and then keep an eye on the available seats as departure nears. Sometimes, certain seats are blocked for assignment until just before departure and often a few people will either be upgraded or have a change of plans at the last minute, thus freeing up some additional choices. Also, don't be shy at asking for seats together — even if all that is left is in an extra legroom seat that normally costs extra — if the airline canceled your original flight.

You can turn to seat alerts using ExpertFlyer (owned by the same parent company as TPG) as an extra layer of help.

Paid seats will be refunded

As mentioned, a traveler who paid for seat selection on a flight that is canceled is entitled to a refund for that seat across the board, including at the big three U.S. airlines — United Airlines , American Airlines and Delta Air Lines .

United's paid seat policy

United offers maximum flexibility for travelers. The carrier automatically refunds travelers the cost of their paid seat assignments in the event of a canceled flight, whether the flight was voluntarily or involuntarily canceled.

"Any paid seating assignments, such as Economy Plus or preferred seating, will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment after the scheduled departure time of the flight," a United spokesperson wrote in an email.

Economy Plus seats feature up to 6 inches of extra legroom and are located near the front of the economy cabin. These seats and all other preferred seats are complimentary for United MileagePlus members with Premier status (Silver, Gold, Platinum and Premier 1K). Depending on their status tier, these members get free preferred seating for themselves as well as for one to eight companions.

In short, if United is unable to reseat you in the same type of seat you originally booked, expect to be automatically refunded the ancillary charge if you paid one.

"There are certain scenarios where you may be reaccommodated in a seat other than the one you've purchased, such as in instances of irregular operations, a last-minute aircraft change or an oversell," United says on its website . "In these cases, you will be issued a new boarding pass. If you find that you have not been reaccommodated in a seat of similar or greater value, fees paid for the seat will usually automatically be refunded."

Related: How to get seats together as a family on Southwest Airlines

American's paid seat policy

Like United, American refunds paid seats for flights it cancels or the airline will attempt to rebook you in your preferred seat.

"We make every effort to reseat passengers in the same seat or in a like seat when that isn't possible," a spokesperson for American said. "Customers can also use aa.com or the mobile app to view any available open seats if they'd like to make a different, available seat selection."

Customers can expect a refund of the paid seat charge if they are unable to get a similar seat to the one they had paid for.

However, unlike United, American will not extend a refund to passengers who cancel a flight on their own.

"Paid seats are nonrefundable if you change, cancel or miss your flight," according to the airline website. "Paid seats are nonrefundable if you change your seat assignment on the same flight to a lower priced or free seat."

There are two paid seat options, which are complimentary for AA Advantage Executive Platinum, Platinum and Gold status holders: Preferred seats and Main Cabin Extra. As you might suspect, preferred seats are located in preferred areas of the plane, which could mean they are closer to the front or in a row of two seats instead of three. Main Cabin Extra seats provide additional legroom (33 to 43.5 inches of pitch, depending on the aircraft, versus the 30 to 33 inches you'll find in standard economy seats). Those sitting in Main Cabin Extra seats will also receive a free alcoholic beverage.

Delta's paid seat policy

As is the case with both United and American, Delta will refund any paid seat charges for canceled flights to your original payment form, while also attempting to rebook you in your desired seat.

"We will absolutely work to accommodate customers in their desired seat on an individual basis in these cases," a Delta spokesperson said via email. "We will be able to refund these payments to the original form of payment in the event that's not possible."

Like American, when Delta rebooks customers on a new flight after canceling their flight , their seat selection will carry over to the new flight (based on availability).

But if a customer purchases a ticket with a preferred seat, and then cancels their ticket, the preferred seat is not eligible for a refund, per a Delta spokesperson.

"If the customer is impacted by an involuntary cancelation scenario, they would be eligible for a refund," they told me.

All Delta Medallion status holders — specifically Silver Medallion, Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion and Diamond Medallion — receive free preferred seating, which may include seats at the front of the plane or in exit rows. Delta flyers can also upgrade to the carrier's extra-space economy class known as Comfort+, which provides up to 3 inches of additional legroom, among other perks. Unlike United's Economy Plus and American's Main Cabin Extra, Delta's Comfort+ is a separate fare class that requires Medallion members to get on a list for an upgrade; these members, especially top-tier ones, generally don't have issues clearing.

Unpaid seats

In the case of free seat selection, you essentially start from square one.

An airline will often automatically give you the same seat if it's available or a similar one if it is not; it may also allow you to pick your own seat once it rebooks you, but you are basically at the mercy of the airline in this case.

Bottom line

Overall, if an airline cancels your flight, it should refund you for any paid seats. If you choose to rebook a new flight in response to a cancelation, your airline will rebook you in the same seat as your original reservation (if available) or a similar seat. If not, you can pick your own seat once you're rebooked.

This process can be frustrating, especially when multiple people are traveling together, because sometimes one person in your party may get a seat assignment while another does not.

Airlines could soon be changing their ways, though. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Transportation sent a letter to airlines urging them to adopt policies that minimize the chances of families getting separated on planes. When the USDOT begins monitoring this in November, it may respond with new regulations enforcing such rules.

For families booking flights and hoping to sit together, TPG senior family writer Tarah Chieffi has some advice for the three airlines we've discussed:

• American: The only way to guarantee seats together on American is by choosing seats for your whole family at the time of booking.
• United: Purchase a United economy fare or higher that includes complimentary seat assignments at the time of booking.
• Delta: Avoid booking a Delta basic economy fare because those do not include advance seat selection; book your children on the same reservation as the adults in your party.

Read her guide for more tips on increasing the likelihood of getting seats together.

While airlines do their best to assign you a specific seat and keep families together, they do not guarantee this in the case of rebookings, especially last-minute ones. The flight you'll be joining is probably already quite full and it may only have a few available seats.

Don't lose all hope, though. Some gate agents may take pity on you and give you an even better seat than originally booked — for free.

"Oftentimes agents feel bad for you and can give you a seat that would normally be a paid one for free in that scenario," TPG senior aviation reporter Ethan Klapper told me. "And you can often ask an agent for a better one, like an exit row."

Related: What you can ask from an airline after a delayed or canceled flight

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Yes, Airlines Do Have the Right to Change Your Seat Without Warning

Here's what to do when it happens.

When right-wing pundit Ann Coulter resorted to complaining on Twitter about having her seat moved on a 2017 Delta flight, she gave the world a golden example of how not to behave.

Perhaps she wasn’t fully aware of her rights — or the airline’s — but the tweetstorm that unfolded reminds us why it’s always important to know your rights as a passenger.

When you purchase an airline seat, you are required to acknowledge that you agree to the contract of carriage, a legally binding agreement between you and the airline, usually by checking a box next to the phrase “I agree to the terms and conditions of the contract of carriage” or some variation thereof.

Delta’s contract of carriage states : “Delta may substitute alternate Carriers or aircraft, change its schedules, delay or cancel flights, change seat assignments, and alter or omit stopping places shown on the ticket as required by its operations in Delta’s sole discretion.”

When you buy a plane ticket, the airline is only obligated to get you from point A to point B. Everything else that comes with it (reserved seating, overhead bin space, baggage allowance, and food and beverage service) is at the discretion of the airline. Because you’re not buying an actual seat — you’re purchasing transportation.

What to Do When an Airline Moves Your Seat

When you’re asked by a flight attendant or gate agent to change seats, it’s usually to help families sit together, allow caregivers to sit next to patients, or accommodate an air marshal or other airline employee. They also might ask you to move for safety reasons or to help redistribute the weight balance of the aircraft, especially on smaller planes.

If it happens to you, respond politely and graciously. Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times to move seats and have done so without complaining. Nearly every time, the flight attendant thanked me for my willingness to be flexible with free bottles of wine or a snack.

Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure

Your Boarding Pass Is Your Assigned Seat

If a gate agent comes onboard and hands you a new boarding pass, that is the seat you are required to sit in, regardless of how much you paid for your ticket or the class of service you purchased. The gate agent has supreme power of seating assignments for every flight and dictates who sits where. If they ask you to move, do it.

You May Be Entitled to a Refund

If you’re downgraded from a seat with extra legroom to a regular economy seat, the airline will reimburse you the difference. In Coulter’s case, Delta refunded her the $30 extra fee she paid for the Delta Comfort+ seat that was given to another passenger.

The contract of carriage for American Airlines , as another example, states that you can request a refund for a variety of reasons , including getting re-booked on a flight that causes you to miss a connection, or if you get moved from a preferred seat to a non-preferred seat or a preferred aisle/window seat to a preferred middle seat. Those “preferred” seats refer to the coveted seats near the front of the economy cabin or in emergency exit rows that typically cost extra.

If your seat gets moved and you feel you are owed a refund, contact the airline’s customer service department to request one.

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