Is it necessary to select a seat while web check-in?

Is seat selection necessary for web check-in?

It just… depends.

Sometimes, they give you a seat. You know? Without asking.

• Airlines are like that, I guess.
• I remember once… flying to Tulsa, they just GAVE me a window.

But sometimes, no.

• You have to pick. Or, well, pay.
• I hate that.
• Feels… wrong. Like being punished for not caring enough.
• It’s extra money for nothing, just… air.

I never know which one it’ll be. The anxiety… it gets to me.

Can you check-in online without choosing seats?

Online check-in. Seat selection optional. Airlines assign seats automatically if unselected. Gate assignment possible.

• Most airlines: Automated seat assignment. No selection, no problem.
• Exceptions exist. Budget carriers. Some policies vary.
• My experience: Delta, 2023. Automatic seat. No fuss. Perfectly acceptable.
• Consider this: A minor inconvenience. Life’s bigger issues.
• Pro Tip: Check airline’s specific policy. Website usually details this. Avoid last-minute gate surprises.

Additional Notes: This applies to most major US airlines. International carriers may differ. Always verify individual airline policies on their websites before travel. Flexibility is key. My personal preference: I don’t care about seat assignments unless its a long flight.

Does online check-in give seat number?

Online check-in: Seat number shenanigans. Yep, usually. Unless you’re playing hide-and-seek with the airline, choosing your seat before check-in is the best bet. Think of it like a restaurant – requesting a window table (aisle seat, exit row, whatever floats your boat) beforehand guarantees you don’t end up stuck next to someone who smells like a gym sock.

But hey, sometimes the algorithm throws you a curveball. Free-for-all seat selection is a bit like Russian roulette with your lumbar support. You might get lucky, snagging a prime spot. Or, you’ll be crammed between a snoring opera singer and a toddler with a penchant for kicking. It’s a gamble, my friend, a gamble.

Boarding passes and seat numbers are practically synonymous. Without one, you’re just a confused, wandering soul at the gate. It’s like trying to find your way to that speakeasy without a password; not pretty. No seat number? No boarding pass. End of story.

Booking a seat beforehand? Smart move. Pure genius, even. Avoids the potential for a seat-related meltdown. Last year, my friend ended up next to someone who talked incessantly about their prize-winning pet hamsters. True story. Avoid that horror.

• Pre-booking: The safest bet.
• Online check-in: A gamble, but free.
• No seat selection: You’re at the mercy of the airline gods. They might smile…or not.

Pro-tip: Check the airline’s specific policies. Some airlines are sticklers for pre-booking. Others? More relaxed. Check the fine print. It’s like reading the ingredients on a wine label; sometimes you find unpleasant surprises. Avoid that.

Can you choose seats during online check-in?

Ugh, online check-in. So annoying sometimes. Can you even choose seats? I swear last time it was a total crapshoot. My flight to Denver in June? Total nightmare. Ended up stuck next to a snoring mountain.

Anyway, yeah, you can usually pick seats, but only if you’re quick. One hour before takeoff is the cutoff. After that, you’re at the mercy of the gods of airplane seating. I really hate that. Seriously, who designs these systems?

• Booking: You’d think selecting during booking would guarantee your seat, right? Wrong.
• Online Check-in: This is your second chance. But, hurry!
• One Hour Rule: That’s the deadline. After that, you’re screwed.

My brother, Mark, tried changing his seat last year on Southwest. It was a total fiasco. He missed the cut off by five minutes! Five freaking minutes. It was a disaster.

I prefer aisle seats. Always. Legroom is overrated. I need to get up and stretch every 20 minutes. I’m a fidgeter. I hate window seats and middle seats are pure torture.

Remember that time on the flight to Orlando? The family with the screaming kid was in the middle, naturally. And then the guy next to me spilled his whole beer. On me. It was a 2023-vintage disaster.

This is driving me crazy. Gotta book my trip to see mom in July. I hope I can get a good seat. Ugh. Need coffee.

Does online check-in allocate seats?

Yeah, online check-in does give seats.

Sometimes.

Airlines do assign them, but it’s not always… straightforward.

• It depends so much.
• Like, are you flying economy? Frequent flyer? Makes a difference.

You think you’ll get that window seat you want, and…nope. Middle seat. Every time. I swear, every freakin time I fly to Denver.

You can try to pick, that’s true. Select your own seat…if you’re fast enough.

• Everyone else is trying, too.
• It is a race.

Or, they just give you whatever. “Automatic assignment,” they call it. Convenient for them, not for us. Always feels so random.

• Like my life, kinda.
• Random.

Do airlines automatically assign seats?

Airlines don’t always auto-assign seats. It’s a complex system. Think of it like this: it’s a balancing act between maximizing revenue and passenger convenience.

Check-in or Gate Assignment: Most airlines will assign you a seat during online check-in or at the gate if you haven’t already chosen one. This is standard practice. My recent flight on United was like this. A bit chaotic, but standard.

Airline-Specific Policies Vary Wildly: Some airlines, like Frontier, aggressively push paid seat selection. They present it as a necessary step, even though it isn’t. Clever marketing, really. It’s all about the Benjamins, isn’t it?

The Economics of Seat Selection: Airlines make extra money from seat assignments, especially preferred ones. Window seats are popular. Makes perfect sense.

My Take: While some airlines make it feel like seat selection is mandatory, it’s usually not. Don’t feel pressured. Unless you have strong preferences— say, an aisle seat for easy bathroom access— you’ll be fine with whatever’s available.

• Online Check-in: Usually assigns a seat automatically. You can change it then.
• Gate Check-in: Last resort for seat assignment. Limited options left at this stage.

Sometimes I think it’s all a bit of a game. Passengers feel they should pay, when really it’s optional. The airlines skillfully make it seem essential, that’s the clever bit. It’s a business, after all. No moral judgment here. Just a pragmatic observation, made on my morning commute last week.