How to Select or Change Seat on United Airlines

When you travel with United, there are a variety of ways to purchase or upgrade your seat or class. You can do this when booking your flight.

You can purchase a ticket in United Airlines premium cabins (United Polaris business class, United First or United Business) when making your reservation or change to a different seat or class of service after completing your reservation.

When you purchase a ticket, you can select between Basic Economy, Economy Plus, or premium cabin seating. Your choice of seating is based on the type of ticket that you purchase.

How to Select Seat on United Airlines 

United provides a seat reservation map that allows you to select business or coach seat on united, front of the plane or back and window or aisle seating.

To select your preferred seat according to your comfort and convenience Please follow below steps:

• Open your Internet browser and go to United’s website at united.com. At the left-hand side of the screen, enter your trip details including departure and arrival cities and dates. You’ll also need to enter how many adults and children will be flying and whether you want to fly coach, business or first class. Click “Search” when you’ve entered your Info.
• Wait for your flight options to load, Select your preferred departure flight and then return trip once the next page loads.
• Confirm your flight selections on the next page. Scroll down to the bottom of the page. If you’re a Mileage Plus member, enter your Mileage Plus number or username and PIN. If you’re not a Mileage Plus member, leave blank in the Account Sign-In section. Click on the “Continue to traveler information”
• Write down the following information for each person traveling. You are required to enter the type of ID you will use when checking in at the airport, such as a “driver’s license” or “passport.” Under each passenger, select whether that traveler prefers a window or aisle seat.
• Verify that all of the passenger information you entered is correct. Click on the “Continue to select seats” button.
• Wait for the seat map to load. You may select any seat that isn’t grey. White seats have no extra charge, but blue and orange seats will cost extra. If you hover your cursor over the seats, a box will come up to show you the seat number and any additional fees for that seat. Choose the seat for the first passenger by clicking on a seat
• Choose seats for any additional passengers, Once you select a seat, the selector automatically goes to the next traveler. Once you’ve selected seats for all the passengers in your group, click on the “Next Flight” button and select seats for any connecting flights and for your return trip. Once you’ve made all your seat choices, click the “Continue” button.
• On the next page You need to verify all your flight details. Enter the email address where you want your ticket confirmation to be sent.
• You will need to select how you will pay for the flight. Complete your payment information and then click the “I agree – Continue to Purchase” button. The next page will bring up your payment confirmation and reservation number. Print this page for your records.

United Airlines MileagePlus members

A member of United’s MileagePlus program may be able to purchase a seat in Economy Plus, take advantage of premium cabin seating offers, or request a MileagePlus Travel Award or MileagePlus Upgrade Award. The availability of these options varies based on whether you’re booking travel, have already booked travel, or are eligible for check-in.

United Airlines MileagePlus members Seating During ticket purchase

MileagePlus members have a variety of seating options when booking tickets. The following options are available during purchase, depending on availability.

Economy Plus

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Travel Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

Premium cabin seating offers

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

United Airlines MileagePlus members Seating After ticket purchase

MileagePlus members have seating options after ticket purchase. The following available seating options and restrictions.

Economy Plus

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Travel Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

Premium cabin seating offers

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: No

United Airlines Premier members Seating Options

MileagePlus Premier members can take advantage of premium cabin seating offers, or request a MileagePlus Travel Award, MileagePlus Upgrade Award, Plus Points upgrades or Star Alliance Upgrade Award. Availability of these options vary based on whether you’re booking travel, have already booked travel and are eligible for check-in.

Premier members Seating During ticket purchase

Premier members seating options during ticket purchase. The following options are available for purchase during booking, depending on availability:

Economy Plus

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Travel Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

Premium cabin seating offersfootnote*

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

PlusPoints upgrades

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

Premier members Seating After ticket purchase

Premier members can purchase the following options after ticket purchase and at check-in, based on availability.

Economy Plus

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Travel Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

MileagePlus Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

Premium cabin seating offers

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

PlusPoints upgrades

• Online: Yes
• By App: Yes
• By Phone: Yes

Star Alliance Upgrade Awards

• Online: Yes
• By App: No
• By Phone: Yes

United Airlines Non-members Seating Options

Customers can purchase Economy Plus seats when they purchase their tickets, or they can take advantage of the special seating offers presented throughout the booking process.

In order to change your seat on United Airlines, you must first know what type of ticket you purchased. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you will automatically be assigned a seat before boarding and won’t be able to make any changes.

However, you can pay extra to reserve a specific seat up until check-in. All other ticket purchases have the option to change their seat at no extra cost.

United Airlines Seat Selection Fee

There is no charge to select your seat with United (where available), but you can opt for “preferred seating” for $9 each way.

• $16-$169 fee for Economy Plus Upgrade each way
• $150 for Unaccompanied Minor Fee each way
• $125 for Pets in Cabin Fee each way
• Fare Holding Fees: If you’re not ready to book at the time of searching, then you can pay to reserve your fare using “Farelock.” The fee varies by destination, but ranges from $5-$20 with the ability to hold a fare for either 3 or 7 days.
• Economy Plus: From $499: Get extra leg room and be closer to the front of the plane for quicker exiting when you reach your destination.

What are the best seats on United?

Best Seats: Any seat in row 21 is the best pick as the exit row provides more legroom than that found in First Class. Row 20 has equivalent legroom, but recline is slightly limited. Other excellent choices for the best legroom are seats 7D, 7E and 8C, though the proximity to the lavatory and galley might be bother

Can you pick your seat on United Basic Economy?

All fare classes, except Basic Economy, allow you to choose your seat or change your seat assignment. If you’re in a Basic Economy ticket, you can purchase your seat during booking and up until check-in opens.

Do I have to pay for a seat on United Airlines?

One of the main restrictions on basic economy tickets is that you can’t select a seat assignment in advance. As of February 1, 2018, United is letting basic economy passengers pay to assign their seats up until 24 hours before departure

Is there a difference between United Economy and basic economy?

While Basic Economy offers the same level of inflight service as standard Economy, this lower-priced option has some important restrictions on seating, carry-on baggage, MileagePlus member benefits – including Premier member benefits – and other aspects of your travel.

What is a preferred seat on United Airlines?

Preferred seating is for a more favorable spot in United Economy. Preferred seats include United Economy seats that have standard legroom but are closer to the front of the aircraft in the first few rows behind Economy Plus.

How do you sit together on United Basic Economy?

When you book a Basic Economy ticket, you cannot select your seat for free. Your seat will be assigned when you check in for your flight and you cannot change it yourself. United makes it clear when booking regarding families and groups: they do not guarantee you will be able to sit together. via