How do I select seats on American Airlines?

Flying with comfort is every airline's motto. But American Airlines follows it seriously. That is why American Airlines' seat selection policy lets their passengers decide the seat they prefer for their flight. The airline has different seat options that a passenger can choose from, such as Standard Economy Seats, Main Cabin, Preferred Seats, Premium Economy, and First & Business Class. Travelers are free to select the convenient seating place on American Airlines.

In this guide, we will learn about the various aspects of American Airlines seat selection policy, how to select a seat, How much does it cost to pick seats on American Airlines?

How does American Airlines Seat Selection Work?

Passengers can select a seat while booking a flight or after the reservation. For example, a passenger wants to fly from Las Vegas to Paris. In this case, a flier will first select your flights. After that,  the passenger can see the available seats by clicking on the seats link. This way, the traveler will get an idea of available seats but not the price.

Once the passenger chooses the flight, reviews the fare upgrade options, enters the information, and declines the miles option, he selects the seats. The passenger will pay for seat selection regardless of the seat type for the basic economy seat. On the other hand, a flier can select any standard chair for free for a standard economy fare. However, a traveler can pay for preferred seats and extra legroom. 

How do you Pick seats on American Airlines?

American Airlines permits passengers to pick their seats during booking the flight or after reservation. A traveler goes through a particular process while choosing a comfortable seating option. There are two methods of selecting a seat on American Airlines. 

Here are the steps for the two methods that you can choose at your convenience:

Method 1: Through Official Website

  • Access the American Airlines official website.
  • Go to the My Trips section.
  • Fill all necessary details, such as travel destination, dates, number of passengers, etc.
  • Redeem your miles point if you have any.
  • Tap on the Search section to get the list of flights.
  • Pick the flight that suits your criteria from the list.
  • View the open map and pick your preferred seat.
  • Proceed with the payment.
  • Get your booking confirmation.

Method 2: By Phone

  • Dial a telephone number at 800-433-7300
  • Listen to the IVR instructions carefully.
  • Follow the steps as asked by the automated voice.
  • Give the details about your seat preferences.
  • The agent will let you know about the availability of desired seats.
  • Choose the seat.
  • Make payment for the desired seat.
  • Wait for the confirmation of seat selection.

American Airlines Seating Option Types

American Airlines offers different seating options for customers to book their desired seats. Let us look at these options:

  • Main Cabin- It is a standard economy class seat, which offers extra legroom. Travelers get a comfortable space with more legroom and outstanding catering services.
  • Basic Economy- It is the lowest-paying seat with numerous benefits like free snacks, entertainment, etc. They have to pay for the extra seats. Otherwise, the seating arrangements may not be favorable for them. 
  • Preferred Seats- Preferred Seats are highlighted with green color on the seat map. A traveler can choose a seat of his choice. But you cannot get extra legroom.
  • Premium Economy- Premium Economy is one of the most comfortable seats with a large footrest segment, free entertainment, chef-inspired dining, etc. 
  • First & Business Class- These are the most convenient and highest-level seats. First & Business Class Passengers get priority privileges, premium dining, and spacious seats.

How Much Does it Cost to Choose a Seat on American Airlines?

American Airlines seat selection fees vary on multiple factors like timings, flight length, seat type, etc. Usually, a passenger gets a free carry-on bag and one free personal item with every kind of seat. 

American Airlines seating costs between $0-$160 depending on the various factors. However, the cost may get high for passengers who need extra service. First & business-class and Premium Economy seats are the most costly, while Main Cabin and Basic Economy are cheaper comparatively. 

How to Select a Seat for Free on American Airlines?

The flyers with American Airlines elite status and elite members of partner airlines can avoid paying a seat selection fee. Besides, travelers can redeem AAdvantage miles for seat selection fees. Let’s see how you can avoid paying fees in the following:

  • Preferred Seating- American Airlines AAdvantage elite passengers get free access to standard legroom seating in preferred cabin areas. Additionally, the elite members of Oneworld Alliance partner get free access to preferred seating on American Airlines.
  • Main Cabin Extra- Members of AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum get free access to Main Cabin Extra seats. Besides, the Gold members can choose Main Cabin seats for free within 24 hours of departure. 
  • Using AAdvantage miles- A traveler with no elite status can use AAdvantage miles to pay the seat selection fees. The cost depends on numerous factors like flight length, location, etc. Therefore, you must have enough AAdvantage miles to cover the whole cost of seat selection.

Final Words

In this blog, we bought a simpler way to to select a seat with American airlines to enjoy a comfortable journey ahead. Also, we brought you ways to avoid your seat selection fees. You must focus on collecting AAdvantage miles to avoid paying a seat selection fee. 

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FAQs ( Frequently Asked Questions)

You will not be able to sit on your desired seat. This way, you may end up with a middle seat or some other uncomfortable seat.

There are two methods of selecting a seat on an American Airlines flight. One is offline, and another is online. You can do it with the help of the website and a phone.

The price of selecting a seat depends on several factors, like flight timings, seat type, & flight duration. The charges may range from $0 to $160.