alaska air seat assignment name called at gate

What It Means If ‘See Agent’ Is Printed on Your Boarding Pass

There’s more information than you think encoded on your airline boarding pass. One of those codes—"see agent" or “seat assigned at gate"—can be especially disconcerting. 

Contrary to popular belief, those words (the verbiage varies by air carrier) do not necessarily mean that you are about to be bumped from your flight. Provided you have a confirmed reservation, there can be several reasons for why it’s on your ticket. Here are a few explanations.

You bought a basic economy fare

Some airlines—like American, Delta, and United—do not assign a free seat for basic economy fares until the ticket counter or the gate. These ultra-restrictive fares are usually the cheapest and come with limitations. If you bought one of these fares and you see a note asking you to see the agent, you'll likely be assigned a seat before boarding. You won’t be able to choose where you sit, but you should have a confirmed seat on the plane. There is no need to even see the agent as many airports may display your seat assignment on the gate information screen allowing you to use the existing boarding pass to board.

If you change your mind, or didn’t mean to purchase this bargain-basement fare, most airlines let you “buy up,” paying either the fare difference or a small fee to upgrade to the next fare offering so that you can select a seat before getting to the airport.

You’re booked on a codeshare flight

Airlines sometimes partner with other carriers to allow them to sell seats on their own planes and vice versa. Airlines must disclose if your flight is operated by another carrier, and on occasion with a codeshare, it is not possible to assign a seat in advance. This could be because the airlines use different computer systems and don’t have access to each other’s seat maps. Or it could be because the airline didn’t receive advance information on the seat you selected. If you find yourself flying another airline than the one from which you bought your ticket, try calling that airline in advance of your flight to make a seat assignment. Typically, they assign one on their end to help you avoid the “luck of the draw” at the gate.

You need to show additional documents

Another reason that your boarding pass may say “see agent” is that certain travel documents need to be verified. If you had not previously selected a seat, some airlines cannot automatically issue a boarding pass with a seat assignment until the documents are checked. These can include everything from COVID vaccination checks to destination entry visas and passport expiration dates . If you have the right documentation, it shouldn’t be an issue to handle it at the gate and get a seat.

Your ticket needs to be re-issued

When you make a change to a reservation or there was a disruption to your travel plans, some tickets may need to be re-issued by the airline. If this is the case, you normally wouldn’t be able to print a boarding pass at all, but online check-in or an airport kiosk may print a document that says to see an agent. It may require some additional keystrokes by a ticketing agent on the phone or at the airport to correct any problems. If you changed voluntarily to a different flight, there may be a difference in fare you owe, but in most cases, it’s just a simple computer glitch that needs addressing.

The airline has blocked seats

Airlines often block seats to assign closer to departure. These are reserved for travelers that require infant bassinets (bulkhead seats), frequent fliers with elite status, are crew rest seats, or those with armrests that can raise for people with reduced mobility or passengers with requirements for additional space. On the day of departure, the airline begins to release these seats.

If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight. If you see a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, you may be in luck. As these “preferred” seats get “unblocked,” you may be able to score one of them. Be friendly (but not pestering) to the gate agent, and you could be at the top of their list.

Another favorite hack of frequent fliers is to use subscription-based websites like Expert Flyer, which allow you to set a seat alert for a notification if a particular seat (window or aisle, for example) opens up before a flight—so you can grab it. If a seat were to become unblocked, the website would send you a notification. The site can also alert you if the aircraft changes or provide details on whether a flight is oversold before you reach the airport.

Your aircraft changed before departure

When airlines change the aircraft type to one with a new configuration, some seat assignments may get kicked out of the system or swapped. You may be automatically assigned a new seat or left with a note to see the agent. Sometimes, when an airline switches to a smaller plane, some passengers will have to be bumped (although the airline will ask for volunteers first). Keep an eye on the seat map of your flight to watch for any changes in advance so you can manage expectations before you reach the airport.

If you booked your ticket more than three months before the flight, it is common for airlines to make minor changes to the times or the aircraft as they tweak their schedule around demand closer to departure. It can pay off to be vigilant and monitor your reservations.

Your flight is oversold

Sometimes, airlines end up with too many passengers for a flight. Overselling flights is an accepted practice since airlines rely on historical data to account for passengers that do not show up for a flight. Still, if you have a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, it could (but does not always) mean there are no more seats to assign. If you are confirmed on the flight, you are entitled to a seat. If the flight is oversold, the airline will ask for volunteers to take another flight first. If no one agrees to do that, those left without a seat assignment could be among the first to be involuntarily bumped, which includes someone with the note “see agent” on their boarding pass. If that happens, you will be awarded compensation in the form of gift cards, airline vouchers, or cash.

While there are a lot of other factors involved, it is prudent to check in as soon as you are able to for a flight. If your boarding pass mentions seeing a gate agent, it does not mean you’re destined for a bump. While there is no reason for alarm, it helps knowing why it may appear and what you can do about it.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Everyone’s been there. That moment when you’ve printed your boarding pass, made it through security, and have found a coveted seat in the boarding area. It’s a moment when you take a deep breath and prepare for what comes next – boarding.

The first thing to remember is a rule that should apply any time you travel – pack your patience. The front wheels of the aircraft leave the runway about two seconds before the rear wheels, meaning that everyone takes off at basically the same time. So there is no need to rush to get on. Remember that everyone’s going to the same place and that being patient will result in a smoother boarding process.

“Do I need my ID?” On domestic flights, they won’t need to check your identification again once you’ve gone through security, so you can go ahead and put it away. If you are flying international, you’ll want to have your passport out and ready as the gate agent will check it prior to boarding.

Streamline your boarding process with the Alaska Airlines mobile app: iPhone  |  Android

And, if you’re a list person, here is a quick guide to how Alaska’s boarding process works. Happy travels!

• 40 minutes before departure: Agents will make an announcement letting you know it’s time to board. No need to move, this is just information to let you know that it’s time to get ready (i.e. free up your hands).
• 35 minutes before departure: Some special groups board first: Members of the military, customers who need special services or additional time to board, and families with children under 2
• 30 minutes before departure: Next comes first class customers
• 25 minutes before departure: After first class customers are frequent fliers (Alaska Mileage Plan elite members) and those who have purchased Premium Class seating
• 20 minutes before departure: Finally every else boards in two groups, starting with customers seated behind the exit rows.

Even though this works for us now, we’re always looking for ways to reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with boarding the aircraft. So, to further our work, you may see us testing new general boarding lanes in Seattle and Portland.

Here’s a run-through of a few ways Alaska has experimented improving the boarding process for customers over the years. Some have worked better than others:

Dual-door boarding:

Customers board simultaneously from the front and back doors of the airplane. The problem? The two waves of passengers collided in the middle, creating a serious traffic jam around row 18. While not a good fit for Alaska’s 737 jets, customers flying regional partner Horizon Air have been boarding this way for years with no problems.

Window, middle, aisle boarding:

Customers board based on their seat assignment. Customers with window seats go first, then customers with middle seats, then customers with aisle seats. The problem? Travelers didn’t always understand their seat assignments, which led to confusion onboard and slowed down the boarding process.

Random boarding:

Groups of customers are randomly selected and assigned to boarding times, theoretically to spread customers around the aircraft. The problem? Total chaos.

Text-to-board:

Customers who opted in received text messages alerting them that it was their turn to board. The problem? The airport is a noisy, bustling environment and customers who never received their text messages or didn’t notice the alert ended up in a traffic jam at the end.

Biometric boarding:

Customers use fingerprints to pass through security checkpoints and board flights instead of juggling paper or mobile boarding passes and IDs. Alaska recently wrapped up a test of biometric boarding in San Jose, California . While the initial test has come to an end, stay tuned as Alaska’s research and development team considers the next steps for biometrics. The problem: Fingerprint boarding isn’t an option for everyone, as about 2 in every 100 people do not have readable fingerprints.

Smart watch boarding:

Customers board using a smart watch app. While Alaska’s debut Apple Watch app did not include boarding passes as a feature, industrious customers saved boarding passes to Apple’s Passbook app to scan at security checkpoints and the boarding gate. The problem? Alaska’s mobile team omitted that feature for one very specific reason: the average adult wrist does not fit inside the “clam shell” scanners the airline uses at the gate. Customers found they had to remove watches entirely to scan them, and it slowed down the boarding lines. But tech aficionados need not worry – Alaska’s airport and mobile teams are looking at alternate solutions that would allow for smart watch boarding passes.

What is your boarding preference?

This may be too radical of a change but what about shrinking the overhead bins to allow only small bags and having a bag service like the Horizon planes where all large bags and rollaways are stored in cargo. This would create a larger more open cabin interior and the boarding and deplaning process will probably be a lot faster. Then the dual boarding process like Horizon will work. Personally, I would rather board last than sit and get bumped by others who are not aware of their spacial pathway. But we all rush to board because of the number one reason – storage claim on that hot commodity overhead space.

Ok the non-radical option is to allow free luggage again then that would probably alleviate the overhead bin problem as we all know who wants to pay $25 per bag? Wait, free luggage that may be too radical too as it will reduce revenue! 🙂

How about including this important information in the confirmation email? Or in the Alaska area of the airports on large signs? We fly Alaska several times a year and we to have noticed all of the oversize “Carry-on” luggage. Thank you for working on this very frustrating issue, and reminding folks that they really do need two hands to board without mishap.

Why not load by seat number. SW does this and it works well. Utilizing the front and back board areas in seat number order would seem a reasonable solution.

Also…..I have seen passengers with oversized luggage being allowed to board. There is no way that those long duffle bags, stuffed as full as can be, will ever fit into that little box that sizes the luggage….yet they still get to board.

First I want to say that I LOVE flying on Alaska Airlines. I am a MVP customer I usually get to board early in the process. I fly other carriers and quite honestly I am not treated as well and they are not as friendly for the most part as the Alaska Airlines crews. My number one complaint about boarding any plane is the passenger who stands in the aisle and slowing pulls out the newspaper, the iPad and a dozen other items from their carry on – all the while blocking others from moving on to their seats. I hear the flight attendants state “move into your aisle so others can pass” but people just do not get it. I tend to have the three items I may want in one place so that I can quickly put them in my seat and put my back up overhead. If I put my carry on underneath I just wait to get those items once everyone is seated next to me and I am not in the way. My other complaint is when I see people put their small items up top in the bins when we all know that item can fit under the seat. If these smaller items go under the seat then the bigger ones go up top and people can board faster because they do not have to search for bin space.

Thank you for flying with us Nancy. You’re spot on when you say that smaller items should go under the seat in front of you and larger items should go into the overhead bin. During pre-boarding our gate agents make several announcements to remind customers of this. Additionally, our flight crews do try to remind people of this as they go through their safety checks and help people find their seats. Our teams on the ground and in the air will continue to work together to find ways to help customers put their items into the right places so that we can get you on your way. Your practice to have your three items in one place is a good one, and we appreciate your help in keeping the boarding process smooth for others.

I don’t see anyone checking to see if their bag fits in the size limit frame. Many bags are obviously way too large, but they don’t get stopped.

Why not have an overhead bin number which corresponds to seat. This would solve my major stress.

Very good suggestion!

Hi Scott. We have tested assigned bin spaces and learned a lot. In this trial, we divided the overhead bins and found that each passenger received space equivalent to two loaves of bread, so clearly there isn’t enough space on the plane for everyone to stow their carry-on bag in an overhead bin. Additionally, since we don’t know who is bringing what, we can’t plan ahead and know which customers will use the bins and which customers won’t. This major stress point will be greatly alleviated with our new overhead bins, as the space increases by 48%.

Hillary, this is really a great solution (a bin number which corresponds to our seat number) because if my bin is full, I can ask the FA to remove the bag so I can have my bag accessible to me during the flight and I do not need to seek and grab when someone has taken my space. Your new overhead bins should resolve the problem you mentioned (two loaves of bread space). All are supposed to bring bags that fit in the bin, so the other problem (don’t know who is bringing what) should resolve that also. If I do not use my assigned space, I can leave the bin open and it would be available for a bin pig. Rude people will take the first bin if the bins are not assigned.

How about row 1? There is no space under the seat in front of you and the flight attendants always use the space above you even though the “Posted Placard” says reserved for bulkhead row passengers.

Hi Russ. There may be some instances where a Flight Attendant may have their bag in the bin above Row 1. This is for safety, as they are required to have their manuals easily accessible throughout the flight. This does not happen very often, though, as most of the time it is actually another customer’s item. As with the rest of the aircraft, space in the first class cabin is at a premium. Our flight crews are there to help, so please be sure to let them know if they can assist you with finding space for your items. When our new overhead bins are installed, this should help alleviate this issue as there will be much more space for bags in both cabins.

As a retired flight attendant, I usually go last. It’s easy, fast, and it works for me.

I have often wondered if once all the families, military, elites of any airline, and first class have boarded what happens if the groups that board next are reversed, starting with row 6-17 and then rows 18 and up. (to prevent the problem of no overhead space when it is finally your turn to board when seated in rows 7-15. Sound like though, with the new larger overhead bins it might not be an issue any longer

Great idea Christine! The majority of those seats are booked and reserved by our elites, who board early. That said, customers are advised to stow their bags in proximity of where they are seated. We are working on addressing this with our employees. In the meantime, our new overhead bins will increase storage available by 48% ,which will alleviate much of the pain and anxiety caused by carry-on bags. Look for those later this fall.

It is great news that Alaska is installing larger overhead bins. My husband and I travel with bags that are size compliant but many do not. It would be very helpful if boarding agents would monitor carry-on baggage for size compliance. Items such as guitars can take up a whole bin. Passengers should be charged for oversize carry-on luggage in the same way as folks are charges for oversize checked baggage.

Hi Kathy. Our agents do monitor the carry-on numbers and size at the ticket counter, as well as at the boarding gate. If a customer has an item that is too large, or has too many, we tag them for the cargo hold and charge the customer accordingly. As for musical instruments, the Department of Transportation has recently changed their policy. If the instrument can be safely accommodated in the cabin, we must do so and if it can’t, then it will be accommodated in the cargo hold.

Totally agree that folks go overboard with carry on bags! You can monitor them! Appreciate it when you allow us to check a bag at the gate for no chsrge. We all don’t like to pay those extra fees. My suggestion for travelers is to chose your seats and stick with them Don’t make the poor desk attendant find you seats “so your entire family of 12” can sit together. You can get up & walk around. Besides, you’ll be spending the next week or so with ALL of them anyway. Enjoy your “alone” time!

I think that boarding the plane for a one hour plus flight with box of hot food is rude. First of all, as you pointed out, the possibility of spillage is high as people try to locate their seats. Second, the aroma emitting from these containers are sometimes unpleasant to others. If you can’t eat before or after a flight that takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, then you need to be considerate of your fellow passengers and wait.

I believe carry on luggage is a huge problem. People want to get on first because they want space in the overhead. Their luggage weighs more then they can safely lifet. They put their luggage in the first available space creating problems for those boarding after and find this overhead above them is already full. I only carry 1 purse that I put below my seat my reward should be I get on first after MVP.

You’re right Patsy, trying to find space for carry on luggage can slow down the boarding process. In a couple of months, we’ll debut new, larger overhead bins that will accommodate 48 percent more bags. The new overhead bins should make the process a lot faster- they will hang a foot lower (so you don’t have to struggle to lift your bag as high) and they can hold up to 117 174 bags! Check it out: http://blog.alaskaair.com/2014/07/10/to-increase-onboard-storage-alaska-airlines-will-be-first-with-new-space-bins-from-boeing/

According to the article on the Space Bins, they will hold 174 bags, compared to the 117 they now carry. And I have boarded before using Patsy’s suggestion. I felt it was a great way to honor those without overhead storage, allowing them to get settled in quicker.

You’re totally right, Darla! I got my numbers mixed up – thanks for catching that!

Yes Patsy, and they put their luggage in the first available space so they do not need to carry it as they progress the isle. I like the suggestion: those boarding without luggage go first (that would not include those of us who leave our luggage on the cart). There will always be cheaters, but…

Last time I thought “oh, no rush, we are all going to the same place” when there was a huge chaotic crowd trying to board, I got bumped off the flight just by being in the back of the line! Hey maybe if you didn’t charge people so much to check bags, they wouldn’t try to pack so much junk into the carry on bags, and it wouldn’t take so long to board..always after the last dollar you can squeeze from us, eh? I’m tired of Alaskans getting the shaft so you can give the fancy stuff to lower 48 flyers and pretend Alaskans love you.

Sorry that happened to you Tyler, we’re working on speeding up the boarding process and looking for new ways do make it better everyday. Coming up later this year, we’re trying to take that carry on bag issue off the table with our new, larger bins that can hold up to 117 174 bags, 48 percent more than what we can fit onboard today. Hopefully, this will let you board with less stress the next time you fly. For more on that: http://blog.alaskaair.com/2014/07/10/to-increase-onboard-storage-alaska-airlines-will-be-first-with-new-space-bins-from-boeing/

I wish there was some way to discourage people from crowding the entryway to the boarding line. If your row/group/category has not yet been called, GET OUT OF THE WAY! When I am standing in line to board, to find out out that many of the people in front of me are just waiting for their group/row to be called, it is very frustrating! Perhaps some kind of “corral” where rows 22-30 wait, rows 7-21, etc?

Hi Doris. We’re testing a new boarding processes that we think will help with this frustration. We know this is an issue.

Good idea Doris! We’re always looking for ways to make your travel experience better and we’re actually testing a system like this now in some of our Sea Tac gates. There’s a boarding section in front of the door for certain groups and rows so if passengers choose to stand, they can do so in their section and be ready to board when the time comes.

Hi there! Great post – but totally omitted the reason that most folks are so eager to board: storage for that ONE carry-on bag in the overhead compartment. My biggest gripe has always been those folks who will have their bag tagged to be checked, and STILL carry on two bags (purse & briefcase or HUGE dufflebag) which OBVIOUSLY will not BOTH fit under the seat in front of them, and yet they will still board early because they had their THIRD bag tagged!

I know it’s not possible to monitor every passenger, but if every passenger would simply follow the rules and have ONE overhead bag and ONE underseat bag (or at least ensure that their two smaller bags fit under the seat in front of them), boarding would be a lot less stressful. There’s nothing worse than relaxing through the boarding process only to get on the plane with ONE carryon to be told there’s no room and you’ll have to check your bag. It’s not fair and it’s what drives people to board early – AND stash their bags wherever they can.

That’s a great point Marcy, luckily not too long from now we’ll be rolling out our new Space Bins, which feature 48% more bin space for carry-on bags! That should reduce the stress you feel when boarding and make it easier for you to find a place to stow your carrry-on bag. The new bins will hang a foot lower (less of a struggle for people to get their bags in, saving time) and hold up to 117 174 bags! Check it out: http://blog.alaskaair.com/2014/07/10/to-increase-onboard-storage-alaska-airlines-will-be-first-with-new-space-bins-from-boeing/

…but if they hang a foot lower, it will be more difficult to stand up and wait until we can exist…or use the restroom…

One possibility would be to charge $25 for larger/heavier carry-on bags and make the first bag in the hold free. I loved it when you allowed those of us with only ONE carry-on item to board with the VIPs – please continue, or reinstate if you stopped doing this.

I agree 100% I noticed that happening on a LAS to SEA trip recently, people checked their bag at the gate, boarded early with backpacks which they stored in overhead bins.

Reblogged this on World Airline News and commented: An article from the Alaska Airlines blog:

I would like to see the plane boarded from front to back, no exceptions, and making sure that people put their overhead bag IN THE BIN FOR THEIR ROW. I fly first class more often than not, and am usually the first non-military or assisted passenger to board, but not due to impatience. I actually can’t stand getting on the plane when I do, as I am constantly bumped and banged by less seasoned travelers that don’t seem to have much grasp of spatial awareness. However, the price I pay for being on the plane early is nothing compared with being last to board, only to have the only open bin space located in row 14.

If planes were boarded back to front, attendants would be able to handle placing bags in the overhead compartment, while simultaneously keeping track of the passengers that choose to carry on bags that are far beyond regulated dimensions.

People just seem to have zero respect or consideration for others when they travel, and employ the same me-first attitude that has become so prevalent in our society. Relax, plan your trip out, be courteous to other travelers and don’t bring it if you don’t need it.

Comments are closed.

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do

Seat assigned at gate procedure - Air Travel Forum

• Tripadvisor Forums    
• Air Travel Forums

Seat assigned at gate procedure

• United States Forums
• Europe Forums
• Canada Forums
• Asia Forums
• Central America Forums
• Africa Forums
• Caribbean Forums
• Mexico Forums
• South Pacific Forums
• South America Forums
• Middle East Forums
• Honeymoons and Romance
• Business Travel
• Train Travel
• Traveling With Disabilities
• Tripadvisor Support
• Solo Travel
• Bargain Travel
• Timeshares / Vacation Rentals
• Air Travel forum

Anyway, as I have always flown on fares that allow advance seat assignment and usually check a bag, I've actually never had to have a seat assigned at the gate. Should she have done something more proactive?

As far as I can see she could have:

1. Gone to the bag drop desk and asked there (bad, as I assume there's a wait).

2. Gone to the same or a different gate with an agent and asked right after she got through security.

3. Gone to the gate right when the gate agent got there to open the flight .

What do you usually do in this situation?

It seems inappropriate for the gate agent to tell her that, as if she's a charity case.

She had paid for her seat, and had she been denied boarding (considering that she arrived on time) she would have been owed compensation.

"What do you usually do in this situation?"

I wouldn't choose one of these fares, but if I did I would look at the overhead monitor in the gate area to see if there were seats available. I guess I'd then ask the gate agent when I could expect a seat assignment.

well if one choose an Basic fare then seats are assigned at check in and that is determined by availability so none of that was surprising. And I don't think your daughter could have done anything different. You get a cheaper fare and have to take what comes with it. I agree the agent did not have to tell you that someone gave up their seat. They overbooked. Delta's fault and not your daughter's

I thought the gate agent's comment was inappropriate too, but I wondered if there was some procedure she was supposed to have followed that we didn't know about that might have caused him to say it.

She was there way ahead of time as we've heard so much about the TSA lines, so she got there (ATL) 3 hours early then had precheck and TSA took about 5 minutes, so she had plenty of time to ask someone if that's what she should have done. I've never paid attention to the monitors at the gates saying if there were seats available - when does that show up? When they open the flight ?

Seat assignments are done *after check in closes* (not at check in). That effectively means they're assigned at the gate and only from the available unassigned seats.

btgm, the only thing your daughter could do to minimize IDB here (apart from not buy the E bucket) is to get elite status, as I'd expect the usual priority for handling oversold flights would be followed. That's ask for VDBs, then assign seats based on elite status, fare bucket and time of check in. A non elite in the E bucket is going to be right at the bottom of that list. Daughter probably got on the plane due to both the VDB and having checked in at T-22.5.

And remember that both United and American are going to be introducing Basic Economy fares soon as well, with likely the same potential consequences.

The thing is, she had a basic economy fare in both directions (at least I think so - they're both fare class E), and she was able to choose a seat at check in on the way there. I just assumed that they had gotten to the point where they turn it over to the airport when the seats are mostly full.

Maybe they open it at check in if the flight isn't overbooked?

USBT, isn't it true though that the daughter would have received compensation if she had been IDB'd?

As for the GA's comment, not sure if I see an issue there, as it seems that the explanation was correct, and also see no need to mention compensation. I have had similar said about me, "Here's your upgrade to GFC sir. That nice gentleman just declined his upgrade, to sit with his wife in BFC." I have gotten smiles, whispered "thank yous," and a few knowing nods - but mention of my decision is usually not made. I am sure that I have been the recipient of similar, though never knew who to thank.

As far as what to do next time, not sure if I know an answer. The newish "Basic Economy fares," probably have several stipulations, and limitations. From what I gather, they have a little similarity to the old "Standby tickets," of yore. If one does OLCI, at T-24 (or whatever time is allowed), that is probably as good, as it gets. Then, it's the luck of the draw, on that particular flight .

While I am not a fan of airlines overbooking, I can certainly see their position. No-shows happen, and for myriad reasons. On an ORD - PHX flight Sunday, there was a long list of standbys, and the plane was showing full. As the boarding time approached, a dozen seats opened up (no-shows?), and all standby pax were seated. There were still about half a dozen vacant seats in E+, and that is something that I have not seen in a very long time. Unfortunately, we were #3 and 4 for FC upgrades, and only #1 and 2 got what was left up front. At least we were in Exit Row, and my RPU's (pledged) will be credited back to my account.

That's one of my little pet peeves with airlines . I've never found a way to go back and look at the T&Cs of a ticket once it's purchased, only when you check that little box when buying. For example, her confirmation says:

"This ticket is non-refundable unless the original ticket was issued at a fully refundable fare. Some fares may not allow changes. If allowed, any change to your itinerary may require payment of a change fee and increased fare. Failure to appear for any flight without notice to Delta will result in cancellation of your remaining reservation."

Shouldn't they just say it's nonrefundable since the ticket is already issued? (That's a side topic though.)

It does also say "/NONREF/NOCHGS/NOPRE RSVDSEAT" but there's nothing to link to the actual T&Cs.

On further research I did find this in the FAQs:

"When Can I Get A Seat Assignment On A Basic Economy Fare?

Your seat will be assigned after you check in for a flight via delta.com, a Delta airport kiosk or with a Gate Agent within 24 hours of departure."

"What If A Seat Is Not Assigned To Me At Time Of Check-In?

A seat request boarding pass will be issued and can be used to clear airport security. Your seat will be automatically assigned at the gate."

So presumably sometimes you get the seat at check in and sometimes you don't.

<<<Here's your upgrade to GFC sir. That nice gentleman just declined his upgrade, to sit with his wife in BFC." >>>

The ticket she purchased said that seat assignment would be made after check in. Not you'll get a seat if you're lucky. 😀

• Ryanair 12:08 am
• Can I please ask for recent reviews on Cathay Pacific? 11:33 pm
• Is ASAP Tickets a reliable company to purchase flights? 10:46 pm
• Air Canada pilot strike questions 10:38 pm
• Malaysia Airlines almost non-existent customer service 9:58 pm
• Mytrip.com refund me voucher with $500, but it don't work 9:48 pm
• AA code share flight operated by Iberia - Chicago to Seville 9:33 pm
• General Question Regarding Skiplagging 9:22 pm
• eSKY buys the Thomas Cook brand 9:14 pm
• Is Ovago.com safe? 9:11 pm
• Delta/virgin flight booked through expedia 7:43 pm
• edream Review 7:13 pm
• Problem with Wizz Air cancellation refund - advice needed 6:22 pm
• Is smartfares.com a good and legit site to book flights? 6:00 pm
• ++++ ESTA (USA) and eTA (Canada) requirements for visa-exempt foreign nationals ++++
• ++++ TIPS - PLANNING YOUR FLIGHTS +++++++
• Buy now or later? What's with these screwy ticket prices?
• Around-the-world (RTW) tickets
• All you need to know about OPEN JAW tickets
• Beware of cheap business class tickets (sold by 3rd parties)
• ++++ TIPS - PREPARING TO FLY +++++++++
• TIPS - How to prepare for Long Haul Flights
• TIPS - Being Prepared for Cancellations and Long Delays
• TIPS: EU261 Compensation (cancellations/delay) due to crew sickness
• TIPS - How to survive being stuck at an airport
• Flights delays and cancellations resources
• How do I effectively communicate with an airline?
• Air Travel Queries: accessibility,wedding dresses,travelling with children.
• Airline, Airport, and Travel Abbreviations
• Connecting Flights at London Heathrow Airport
• Covid-19 Coronavirus Information for Air Travel
• TUI Airways (formerly Thomson) Dreamliner - Movies and Seating Information
• ++++ COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION ++++

The world's best hotels. Get the list .

• Travel Forum
• GreenLeaders

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Guide to Alaska Airlines Seat Selection

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

These days, seating options on flights — and the related fees — can get confusing quickly. While Alaska Airlines offers its share of seating options, the airline makes it easy for flyers to view open seats before booking and select the seats they want while booking.

Here’s what you need to know about selecting a seat on Alaska Airlines, including which seats you can book and when you may need to pay extra for specific seats.

How Alaska seat selection works

The Alaska Airlines seat selection process is similar to other large U.S.-based airlines, like United and Delta, where you can view open seats before booking, then select your seat at booking or after paying for your flight.

The exact seat you may select on Alaska Airlines depends on several factors, including the fare class and whether you have elite status with Alaska or Oneworld alliance .

» Learn more: Is an Alaska Airlines credit card worth it?

Alaska seat selection fees

Seat selection fees vary based on the fare class purchased, your desired seat and class of service and whether you have elite status with Alaska or Oneworld alliance. Here are a few things to keep in mind when booking your flight:

Saver class . If you book a Saver class fare, seats are assigned at check-in. If you’d like to pick a specific seat, even as an Alaska or Oneworld elite, you’ll need to pay extra.

Non-elite flyers . If you don’t have status with Alaska or Oneworld and you book fares other than Saver class, you’ll have the option to select seats in the main cabin for free — or pay extra for preferred or premium seats, such as an exit row or in Alaska’s premium class .

Elite flyers . If you’re an Alaska or Oneworld elite member flying on a non-Saver fare, you’ll have the option to book any open seat in the main cabin free of charge, including seats in preferred rows that are available only to Alaska and Oneworld elites. As an elite status holder, you’ll also have the chance to be upgraded to premium class or first class for free if space is available. However, if you book a main class fare and want to be confirmed in a premium class or first class seat right away, you’ll need to pay extra for the upgrade.

If you need to pay for a seat, the cost will vary based on flight and route.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska MVP Gold

Ticket types and seat selection rules

Alaska’s Saver fare — the airline’s version of basic economy — is the only ticket type that comes with restrictions on choosing seats. With Saver fares, even if you’re an elite member, the only way to book a seat in advance is to pay for one.

With all other ticket types, including main cabin, premium class and first class , you can select a seat at booking for free.

» Learn more: How to get cheap Alaska Airlines flights

Alaska seats for elite members

In addition to providing opportunities for upgrades, Alaska reserves certain rows for Alaska and Oneworld elite members.

For the flight below, booked by a non-elite member, you’ll see that rows 10 through 15 aren’t available and are labeled as “Alaska and Oneworld elites,” meaning non-elite members can't book them.

Not only do elite members have access to preferred seating, but both Alaska and American Airlines’ elite members can also have their seats upgraded to first or premium class.

Depending on the fare class you’ve booked, these upgrades will either be confirmed at booking or, if seats are available, at a specified time before departure.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska 100K, its top elite tier status

Alaska plane seating chart

You don’t need to purchase a ticket before seeing the seating chart for an Alaska flight, which can be especially helpful if you prefer a certain type of seat, such as an exit row, a seat toward the front of the plane or a window seat.

To see the Alaska plane seating chart, visit Alaska’s website and input your flight search parameters. Below is an example from the results page for a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle:

Clicking the “Preview seats” link will show the current seating chart. The seats in gray are occupied, while all other colors indicate an available seat.

You’ll also be able to view seats during the booking process. You may even be given an opportunity to upgrade your seat to premium or first class. In the Los Angeles to Seattle example, the offer to upgrade to first class costs $65, while a premium class upgrade starts at $39.

» Learn more: What is Alaska Airlines elite status worth?

How to pick seats on Alaska

You can see which Alaska seats are still available before booking, but if you want to confirm a specific seat you’ll need to select it during the booking process or after buying your ticket.

During booking

We recommend selecting your seat during booking. The longer you wait to select a seat, the fewer options will be available since others are also booking tickets and choosing their seats.

During the booking process, after inputting your personal details, a seating chart will pop up that shows which seats are available. The chart will also display the price for any seating upgrades you might wish to purchase.

In our example flight to Seattle, premium class seats start at $39 and exit row seats will run you $35. Otherwise, a main cabin seat is free to select.

To select your seat, click or tap an unoccupied seat and choose “Save and purchase.” Note that you must click or tap “Save and purchase” even if your seat selection is free.

After booking

If you decided not to pick a seat during booking or you’d like to change your seat after making a reservation, you’ll want to navigate to your reservation on the Alaska website or in the airline’s app.

On the app, after finding your reservation, select the “Seats” icon to pick or change a seat for your flight.

» Learn more: Guide to Alaska Airlines baggage and other fees

Alaska Airlines seat selection recapped

Alaska Airlines has a straightforward process for viewing and picking seats and, unless you’ve booked a Saver fare, you can select a main cabin seat for free.

Whenever possible, we recommend selecting your seat at booking, as you’ll likely have more options than if you wait. If you fly Alaska Airlines often, it may be worth trying to get elite status so you have complimentary access to preferred seats and upgrades.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options

75,000 Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.

Are airlines required to seat families together? Guide to airline family seating policies

Editor's Note

As a mom of three, I'm no stranger to the ins and outs of flying with family .

I know how to disassemble and reassemble my double stroller with ninja-level precision so it will fit through the baggage scanner at security. I also throw screen time rules out the window on travel days. Most importantly, I don't take any chances when it comes to getting my family's seats together when we fly.

Because I know how turbulent flying with kids can be, I happily gave up my seat on a recent solo flight when a father asked if I would switch seats so he could sit with his young son.

I was also quick to say yes because he had a window seat a couple of rows in front of my own window seat. (Had he been in the middle seat, I might have needed an adult beverage thrown in to sweeten the deal, but I digress.)

Related: Should you ask to switch seats on a plane?

The crux of the issue is that it can be costly and confusing to find seats together when traveling with young kids. Some parents assume they will automatically be seated with their kids. Others may end up separated from their families if they are rebooked due to a cancellation. Regardless of the reason, airlines are not legally required to seat families together.

In November 2022, the Department of Transportation began monitoring airline seating policies to determine if federal regulation was necessary regarding family seating.

After months of monitoring, the DOT launched an online dashboard that displays, among other things, which airlines guarantee free family seating. This is part of a larger initiative by the Biden administration to improve consumer protections in the airline industry.

So far, only three airlines – American Airlines , Frontier Airlines and Alaska Airlines – comply with the DOT's guideline that airlines guarantee "adjacent seats for children 13 and under and an accompanying adult at no additional cost for all fare types."

That doesn't mean you are completely out of luck in guaranteeing your family sits together if you are flying on another major airline. Here is a guide to each airline's family seating policy and tips for ensuring your family members can sit together on your next flight.

American Airlines

Like most major airlines, American allows you to choose your seats when booking or at any time leading up to your flight.

There is no fee to choose your seats if you book a first-class, business-class, premium economy or main cabin fare. However, you will have to pay a fee to choose your seats if you choose basic economy tickets — American's least expensive (and most restrictive) fare type.

If you're traveling with children under 15 on any fare type, American's system will detect that you are a family traveling together and automatically search for seats together if you don't choose them yourself. If adjacent seats are unavailable for your entire family, American guarantees children under 15 will be seated next to at least one adult.

Related: Here's what it's really like flying business class with little kids

It's important that you do everything in your power to choose seats for your entire family at the time of booking. This is the only way to guarantee your entire family will sit together during your flight.

To do this, American advises the following :

• Book your entire party's tickets in the same reservation.
• Book your tickets as early as possible, so there are more available seats to choose from.
• It's better to skip seat selection than to choose just a few seats or seats scattered throughout the cabin.

Related: Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage

Alaska Airlines

To select your seats at the time of booking on an Alaska flight, you'll need to book either a first-class, premium or main-cabin ticket. Only a limited number of advance seating assignments are available to customers who purchase Alaska's Saver fare tickets.

If no advance seats are available, the seats will be assigned at the gate; this is not ideal for a family wishing to sit together.

The good news is that Alaska Airlines' family seating policy does guarantee that children under 14 will automatically be seated with at least one parent or guardian at no additional charge, including on Saver fares. So, even if you can't find adjacent seats for your entire family, you can rest assured that your children won't be seated separately from an adult.

To guarantee your family sits together on an Alaska Airlines flight :

• Book as early as possible and reserve your family's seats together at the time of purchase.
• Book children on the same reservation as adults.
• Confirm seat selections made through third parties on Alaska Airlines' website or by speaking with a reservations agent by phone.
• If you cannot get reserved seats together with your family during booking, call an Alaska Airlines reservation agent to review available seating options.
• As a last resort, check in online exactly 24 hours before your flight, as this is when most unclaimed seats become available (does not apply to Saver fare seats, which are assigned at the gate on the day of departure).
• Arrive at the gate at least 60 minutes prior to your departure time and speak with a gate agent. Alaska does block a limited number of seats to accommodate families and other needs on a first-come, first-served basis.

Delta Air Lines

All but one of Delta's fare types allow you to select your seats when you purchase your tickets.

If you want your family to sit together, steer clear of Delta's basic economy fares because they do not include advanced seat selection. If you purchase first class, Comfort+ or main cabin tickets, you'll have the option to select your seats during the booking process.

Delta's has other tips for getting your family's seats together :

• Book children on the same reservation as the adults in your party.
• Confirm seat selections made through third parties by calling a Delta reservations agent or going online .
• If you cannot obtain seats together with your family, contact Delta by phone to review your options or, as a last resort, speak with a Delta gate agent at the airport.

Delta does try and seat family members together but only upon request.

Flight attendants will sometimes ask for volunteers to switch seats. The airline also blocks a handful of rows in the main economy cabin on most flights to accommodate groups and families. Still, there are no guarantees unless you reserve your family's seats together before arriving at the airport (preferably at the time of booking).

Frontier Airlines

Frontier's base fares can be alluring to budget-conscious flyers. However, you'll have to pay extra if you want the luxury of advanced seating assignments.

Luckily, Frontier updated its family seating policy to be in compliance with the DOT's recommendations and guarantees that children under age 14 will be seated automatically with at least one parent or guardian at no additional charge.

Unless you have elite status with Frontier , seat selection fees run between $17 and $90 per passenger per flight segment. There are no fare types that include complimentary seat selection for non-elite members if you want your entire family to sit together.

However, you could potentially make up the extra cost by joining Frontier's Discount Den and choosing a Kids Fly Free flight .

Frontier also recommends that families:

• Book as early as possible and purchase advance seat reservations at the time of booking.
• Book children on the same reservation as adults in your party.
• If you book through a third party, visit Frontier's website as soon as possible to purchase advance seat selections.
• Check in as early as possible online or through Frontier's mobile app and Frontier will assign group seats together if any are available.
• If your family is not assigned seats together, speak with a gate agent for assistance.

JetBlue offers complimentary seat selection with all fare types except Blue Basic, meaning Blue and Blue Extra fares include free advance seat selection. However, for Blue Basic fares, there is a fee of between $5 and $40 each way to choose your seat more than 24 hours before departure (Seat selection is available for free at check-in).

With JetBlue's family seating policy , however, the airline guarantees that children ages 13 and younger will be seated next to at least one adult traveling with them on the same reservation without an additional fee. This applies to all fare types, including Blue Basic fares. At the time of booking, JetBlue's system will assign seats together for at least one accompanying parent as long as adjacent seats are still available when you book your flight.

Other tips from JetBlue :

• Book as early as possible for maximum seat selection availability.
• Confirm seat selections made through a third party on JetBlue's website.
• If you cannot obtain seats together at the time of booking, contact a JetBlue agent at check-in or talk to one at the gate. They will do their best to seat your family together.

JetBlue does its best to keep families together and blocks a limited number of rows until the day of travel for passengers with disabilities and unaccompanied minors . If any seats are available after accommodating these passengers, JetBlue may be able to use them to seat families together.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines is the one airline on this list that does not assign seats in advance, so you cannot purchase a specific seat assignment ahead of time.

With Southwest's open seating policy , you will be assigned a boarding group (A, B or C) and a position within that boarding group (1 through 60-plus) at check-in. Essentially, A1 is the best boarding position and you'll have the most seating options available to you when you board the plane.

Because of this, the strategies for getting your family's seats together on a Southwest flight differ from other airlines.

Check in on time

To get as high of a boarding group as possible, you'll need to check in exactly (like, to the second) 24 hours prior to your flight. This should land your family in an A or B boarding group, and most of the time, you won't have an issue getting your family's seats together. You may have to venture to the back of the plane to find those seats, though.

Utilize family boarding

If you have a B or C boarding group and are traveling with a child 6 years old or younger, you will have the option to board between the A and B groups during "family boarding."

Southwest's policy states that up to two adults can board with a child age 6 or younger during family boarding. If you have more adults than this in your party, speak with a Southwest gate agent to determine your best strategy for finding seats together once on board.

Related: Southwest Airlines offers expanded family boarding ages on some flights

Purchase EarlyBird Check-In or Upgraded Boarding

You can also purchase EarlyBird Check-In , which gives you the convenience of automatic check-in 36 hours before your flight. (Southwest's regular check-in process begins 24 hours prior to your flight.) This means you'll automatically receive an earlier boarding position and more available seats to choose from than if you'd done it yourself.

EarlyBird Check-In pricing starts at $15 per passenger per flight segment, and you must purchase it for everyone in your party. Depending on availability, you may also be able to purchase Upgraded Boarding at the gate for between $30 and $50 per person per flight segment to secure an A1-A15 boarding position.

Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card and Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card holders can receive two EarlyBird Check-Ins per year, which can bring the total cost for your family down a bit. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Priority Credit Card also has a benefit of four Upgraded Boardings per year.

Rapid Rewards A-List and A-List Preferred members (and those traveling on the same reservation) automatically receive a boarding position 36 hours prior to departure, though you will still need to check in within 24 hours of your flight to receive your boarding pass.

The information for the Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Buy a Business Select fare

Finally, you have the option to purchase a Business Select fare, which, among other perks, includes priority boarding in the A1-A15 group.

Speak with an agent

If you don't heed our advice and find yourself at the airport with a less-than-desirable boarding group, Southwest advises that you speak with a gate agent or flight attendant. They will see if any passengers are willing to move to accommodate your family if you aren't able to get seats together.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines keeps its family seating advice plain and simple: The only way to guarantee you'll be able to sit with your family is to purchase your seat assignments ahead of time.

Seat assignments start at $5 per person per segment and vary by route and seat location in the aircraft. You can purchase your seat assignment when you book your flight, during check-in or anytime in between. However, the earlier you choose the seats, the better chance your entire family will be able to sit together.

Spirit currently has no official family seating policy. It only states that it "can't guarantee that you'll sit with your friends and family" if you don't purchase seat assignments; it says that gate agents will work to provide adjacent seats for guests flying with children aged 13 and under whenever possible.

There are ways to save money when purchasing your seats, though. Spirit Saver$ Club members receive low fares and discounted prices for add-ons like bags and seats. There is an annual fee, but if you have a large family or plan on flying Spirit Airlines often, the cost may be less than purchasing seats for your entire group.

Speaking of frequent flying, members of Spirit's Free Spirit loyalty program at the Gold level receive, among other perks, free seat selection at the time of booking. Unlike Frontier's program, Spirit's elite status perks, such as seat selection, do not confer to other members on the reservation.

United Airlines

United is also among the few airlines committed to helping families sit together on flights. United's family seating policy guarantees families with children under age 12 in certain cabins can sit together for free, regardless of fare type.

Now, United's new "dynamic seat map feature" will enable passengers to book two seats together for travelers under 12 and an adult companion for free, including on basic economy fares.

You'll probably want to avoid basic economy on United if you want your party to stay together. United explicitly states on its website that it's not able to guarantee your entire party will be able to sit together if you purchase a basic economy fare and do not purchase advance seat assignments.

Here are a few more helpful tips for families flying United :

• Book your tickets as early as possible and reserve your family's seats together when booking.
• Confirm seat selections made through a third party.
• If only scattered seats are available at the time of booking, you are better off letting United's system automatically choose seats for you because it will attempt to seat families on the same reservation with unassigned seats together.
• If you do not select seats in advance, United's system will attempt to find adjoining seats for you and your children under 15 on the same reservation, regardless of fare type.
• If you cannot obtain seats together, arrive early at your departure gate and speak with a gate agent. They will ask for volunteers to move seats and help accommodate your family.

General tips

There is a lot of overlap with the guidance for getting your family's seats together on most U.S. airlines (with Southwest being the exception).

You want to do everything possible to:

• Book early and select seats when you book. Do not wait until the last minute to check your seat assignments.
• Avoid saver or basic fares because they often do not offer complimentary seat selection.
• Choose your family's seats when booking, whether it's included with your fare or you have to pay an additional fee.
• If you are unable to get your family's seats together at the time of booking, call the airline and speak with a reservations agent to determine the best course of action.
• Keep checking seat availability in the months and weeks leading up to your flight, especially in the final week before your trip and again 24 hours before your flight. These are the times when people make last-minute changes or elite flyers receive automatic seat upgrades, freeing up space on the seating map.
• If you arrive at the airport and still haven't been able to secure your family's seats together, politely ask a gate agent or flight attendant for help. You may still have the option to pay for an upgrade, or they can assist you by finding open seats. It may be too late to do anything official, but they'll be much more willing to help if you approach them with kindness.

Related: Where to sit on a plane with 2 small kids

Bottom line

Sometimes kind travelers will help parents who end up in a bind onboard, but there's no guarantee. Luckily, airlines are falling in line and making it easier for families traveling together to sit together.

Get the Reddit app

This is the place to post anything and everything related to Alaska Airlines.

Gate agent says "This is a full flight..." and the seat map looks like this. How does that work?

I checked the non-rev list too and there are more seats than people on the list

By continuing, you agree to our User Agreement and acknowledge that you understand the Privacy Policy .

Enter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app

You’ve set up two-factor authentication for this account.

Enter a 6-digit backup code

Create your username and password.

Reddit is anonymous, so your username is what you’ll go by here. Choose wisely—because once you get a name, you can’t change it.

Reset your password

Enter your email address or username and we’ll send you a link to reset your password

Check your inbox

An email with a link to reset your password was sent to the email address associated with your account

Choose a Reddit account to continue