Sitting next to your party on a plane is vital for some, and not so vital for others. Families often secure seats together by pre-booking, and paying the additional cost. This is because staple airport services, like a complimentary checked bag for international flights, or a cabin bag for even the lowest tier fares, are no longer available for free. It's is the result of airlines amending their strategies to focus on “premiumisation”, which is essentially increasing or charging for a product or service based on its perceived value to consumers. And few perks are more valuable to air passengers than being able to choose their seat, which is why many airlines have begun charging for the privilege.

Those who want to risk it have their fate in the hands of the airline, and rely the capacity of the flight. But there are a handful of companies that do still offer this service for free. Qatar Airways offers complimentary standard seat selection for most fare types. This includes window, aisle and middle seats, and exclude exit and front row seats. If you are travelling in Economy Comfort or Economy Convenience, you can select a Standard Seat from the moment you book your flight.

If you are travelling in Business Comfort or Business Elite, you can select a Preferred Seat from the moment you book your flight. Preferred Seats are at the front of Economy Class of all Qatar Airways aircrafts, and on the upper deck of select Airbus A380 aircraft. When selecting Preferred Seats, you can also choose Extra Legroom and Comfort+ seats. Availability and location may vary by aircraft type.

But be aware: if you are travelling in Economy Classic, you can only select a Standard Seat for a fee. Similarly, if you are travelling in Business Classic or Business Lite, you can only select a Preferred Seat for a fee. Qatar Airways also offers Economy Reserve, which allows you to reserve the adjacent seat for your comfort during the flight. You can request an Economy Reserve seat at the airport check-in desk or Hamad International Airport transit information desks.

Seat selection is available to passengers travelling on JAL First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class or Economy Class with normal or discount fares for individual passengers. Seat selection is also available to passengers using award tickets. However, the range of seats available for selection is limited based on fare type, required mileage (award ticket) and purchase location. But be aware: seat selection is not available in the following situations:.

When all seats available for advance seat selection have already been assigned. Deutsche Bahn Rail segments. Virgin Atlantic allows Economy Light, Economy Classic and Economy Delight passengers to select a standard seat at check-in for free. However, if you don’t want to take your chances, VA Economy flyers are also able to select a standard seat or any time for a fee. If you would like extra leg room in Economy, be sure to book Economy Delight. This will ensure you also get priority check in and boarding.

Additionally, if you are flying in Premium or Upper Class cabins, you can choose your seat for free at any time. But be aware: If you are flying in Economy or Premium and want to select a Preferred Seat or an Exit Row seat, this will incur an additional charge. British Airways passengers can choose their seat for free from 24 hours before departure when check-in opens. If you are flying in a First BA cabin or you are an Executive Club oneworld® frequent flyer member, you are similarly entitled to choose your seat for free.

You may also choose your seat free of charge if you have booked a flexible ticket. This includes:. Fully Flexible fares (Y/W/J class) which allow you to choose standard seats for free from the time of booking. Short-haul Plus fares which allow you to choose standard seats for free from 48 hours before departure. But be aware: free seat selection does not apply if you have booked a Basic ticket (economy, hand-baggage only). For this fare class, your seat will be allocated at random unless you pay to select one in advance of check-in or pay to change your allocated seat.