How to Actually Get Seat Selection on Budget Fares

Sometimes, when I book a flight to a specific destination, I hear from my fellow travelers that I should book a seat early so I do not miss a comfortable one. But is it true or just a smart game from airlines adding some extra fees to your bill?

Cheap fears don’t automatically mean terrible seats. Most travelers just don't know the timing, the loopholes, or which airlines are bluffing about random assignment.

We don’t want you to pay more and get into the airline industry's marketing game, so let’s check out some hacks that might help you get the best seat for you.

First, what are the best seats in an airplane?

Before any hack, let me tell you what seat is actually the best in an airplane, a fact that I learned from MCN news: Window and bulkhead seats are the most popular on planes. Exit-row seats are next because they give you more legroom. In 2025, economy class is expected to bring in about 39% of the money made by the seating market. This is because there are a lot of people on board and the seats are more comfortable, with more legroom and padding. People want to fly more, especially on long flights, because premium economy and business class are getting more comfortable with better design and in-flight entertainment.

Regarding the seat selection tip, many travelers believe they should check in online as early as possible. This is common advice to make luggage drop-off easier and to avoid issues with overbooking. However, Pool suggests waiting to check in for the best seat selection.

The Reality Behind Budget Fare Seat Policies

Budget airlines make seat selection intentionally confusing because they profit from your uncertainty. They want you stressed enough to pay $15-40 for an advanced seat assignment. Most of those fees are optional, and there are specific moments when airlines cave and give you decent seats for free.

When you book the absolute cheapest fare (Basic Economy, Light fare, whatever marketing term they're using), you're typically assigned a seat at check-in, not at booking.

That sounds terrible; visions of middle seats between strangers on a 9-hour flight. Airlines don't actually want to separate families or stick tall people in seats with zero legroom. They want to appear like they might, so you'll pay to avoid the risk.

The Check-In Timing Hack That Actually Works

This is the single most important tactic, and it's backed by how airline seat inventory systems function.

Most budget carriers open online check-in exactly 24 hours before departure.Set an actual alarm for 24 hours before your flight, down to the minute if possible. At the end of 24 hours, the system gives away any premium seats that haven't been sold yet. Customers who paid to choose their seats have already done so. Business travelers with status can choose their seats. That leaves the seats, aisles, windows, and sometimes exit rows that didn't sell. When you check in, these seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Check in immediately when the window opens, If you wait to get your seat assignment, you might end up with a poor choice. You will likely get a middle seat in the back, close to the restroom. Instead, if you check in early or even wait a couple of hours, you can secure much better seats.

When Paying Actually Makes Sense

I'm all about budget hacks, but there are situations where paying for seat selection is the correct decision. Be honest about your priorities. If you are 6'3" and have an 11-hour flight, paying $40 for an exit row is a good choice. It is better than risking a middle seat with only 30 inches of space. Also, if you are traveling with a toddler, paying for seats together will reduce stress.

How much risk are you willing to take? It’s a simple math calculation, considering that if the airline fare is $300 and the seat assignment costs $15, you're paying a 5% extra for certainty. That might be worth it. But if the fare is $60 and seats cost $25, that's a 42% increase. In that case, it may be smarter to risk the free seat assignment.

Let me clarify for you with a personal example, when I want to book a flight for a different destination(I love to act like a savvy traveler to pay less):

For example, on flights shorter than 3 hours, I don’t pay for seat selection; I can handle a middle seat for 2 hours. For flights lasting 3 to 6 hours, I only pay for a seat if I’m carrying heavy filming equipment and need an aisle seat. For flights over 6 hours, I check the total fare. If the cost of seat selection is less than 10% of the ticket price, I’ll pay for it. If it’s over 15%, I take a chance and use the check-in timing hack.

Compare Real Flight Costs

See exactly what's included in each fare class, seat selection, baggage, flexibility before you book. Save time and avoid surprise fees.

Use OTA platforms to filter by what's actually included in each fare class. The platform breaks down whether seat selection, baggage, and other extras are bundled or charged separately. It is much easier to calculate the true cost instead of being misled by low base fares that become expensive when extra fees are added.

At the end, if seat selection is important to you and you prefer not to take risks or play timing games, choose airlines and fare classes strategically from the start. Some carriers include seat selection even on budget fares; you just have to know which ones.

What to Do When You Get Stuck With a Bad Seat

Sometimes the timing hack and everything we discussed above fail. Check-in opens, everything available is terrible, middle seats, back rows, the dreaded spot next to the lavatory. You have options beyond accepting defeat.

First, use the airline's app or website to see if there are any empty seats on the plane. If you see open seats, write down which ones are available, especially aisle or window seats that are better than the one you were given. At the gate, politely ask the agent if you can sit in one of those empty seats. Tell them why you need the seat, like needing a window seat to film or an aisle seat to have more room for your legs. If they want to, gate agents can move you to a different seat without charging you. It is very important to be polite.

If you're already on the plane and see empty seats after the doors close, ask a flight attendant if you can move. If the flight isn't full and everyone is on board, most airlines let you do this. A lot of people have gotten to empty rows or better seats this way. "I see some empty seats," you say. Is it okay if I sit in [specific seat] since no one else is using it? (It is self-evident you should ask before moving!)

Final Talk

Budget airlines are playing a psychological game. They profit when you're scared of bad seats enough to pay for certainty. The entire system is designed to make you anxious and convert that anxiety into revenue. Understanding that dynamic changes how you approach booking.

Don't pay if you can sit in the middle for a few hours. Use the hacks for timing. Check in ahead of time. Politely ask at the gates. At worst, you'll be uncomfortable for a short time. In the best case, you get good seats and save money for the best experiences at your destination. If you really can't handle not knowing what's going to happen, maybe you have health problems, trouble getting around, or young kids. In that case, buy the seat and think of it as stress insurance. That's okay. Just make the choice on purpose, not because of fake pressure..

The goal isn't to never pay for seats. It's to pay only when it's actually worth it to you, not because an airline's user interface scared you into clicking "Add Seat Selection" during checkout.