Choosing your seats based on your preferences can enhance your flight experience. With the Air Canada Seat Selection service, you can sit with friends or family for added comfort. You can select seats during booking or after purchasing your ticket, with an advance fee applicable. Seats can be chosen up to 2 hours before your flight’s departure. If you don’t choose a seat by check-in, the airline will auto-assign for free. The AC seat selection policy has multiple perks; learn more about this through this blog.
When Can I Choose My Seats With Air Canada?
You can choose a seat during your booking or up to 2 hours before the scheduled departure. However, to ensure the most suitable seating options, you must make your selection within 24 to 48 hours of your reservation.
For added convenience, you can upgrade your seat for a fee if you request it at least three hours before your flight. Frequent flyer members may also enjoy complimentary seat selection benefits on select routes.
If you need to modify your seat selection, you can easily do so through the Air Canada app or at airport kiosks. The airline will accept seat change requests up to two hours before scheduled departure, so act fast and choose the best seat according to your preferences(window, aisle, exit row, flatbed, or any other).
What Is The Air Canada Seat Selection Policy?
Air Canada recently revised its seat selection policy, introducing advanced seat selection fees for standard seating that vary based on the specific fare type. Continue to discuss the policy and make informative decisions while selecting your seats:
- Basic and Standard economy fare holders no longer receive complimentary seat selection due to a new policy implemented for certain routes.
- Children under 14 travel for free with their parents or guardians, but this policy may vary depending on the route and timing of the request.
- Upgrading your seats or changing your assigned seating will incur a seat selection fee along with any additional charges, so be prepared.
- Starting January 21, 2025, Basic fare holders will receive complimentary standard seats during the check-in process for selected routes(if seats are available).
- If you decide to change automatically assigned seats, additional fees will apply, along with potential service charges.
- Aeroplan Elite Members and holders of Latitude or Comfort fares are entitled to select a Preferred Seat for free on select routes.
Please Note
Making your seat selection early offers two special perks: you’ll have multiple options and the ability to decide where you and your family can sit. You will also incur lower charges compared to selecting seats closer to the departure date.
What Is The Process For Selecting Seats On Air Canada?
Selecting Seats on Air Canada is not a poem by William Shakespeare. Passengers who have booked their flights with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge can choose their preferred seats by making an advance payment. This option is available until 2 hours before the flight departure. Let’s discuss the method for selecting seats with Air Canada:
During Booking
- Visit the Air Canada official website.
- Enter your travel details, mentioning
- Travel date
- Passengers number
- Origin city
- Destination
- Trip type
- Click the search button.
- Select your preferred flight.
- Fill in all required passenger information.
- Provide your contact details and confirm your choices by clicking the “Continue” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to choose your desired seat.
- Confirm your selection and pay any applicable fees.
Air Canada is one of the few airlines that allows passengers to check seat availability and view seat selection charges in advance.
After Booking (Via Manage Booking)
- Visit the Air Canada website.
- Click on the “Trip” option.
- Input your confirmation code and last name.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and pick your preferred seat.
- Lastly, complete the payment process.
Via Customer Service Number
- Dial the Air Canada customer service number 1-888-422-7533.
- Select your preferred language.
- Follow IVR to reach available agents.
- Share your booking credentials.
- Check available options and choose your seat.
- If your seat is available, the agent will initiate the process.
- Pay the Air Canada Seat Selection Fee to confirm seating.
During Check-in
- Login to your Aeroplan account.
- Head to the check-in page.
- Enter your booking reference number and last name.
- Follow the prompts to pick your trip.
- Choose your seat and pay the applicable charges.
Air Canada is committed to enhancing your flying experience. However, some seat options are popular and limited in availability. If you want to sit together with a preferred companion, you must choose your seats in advance.
How To Select Seats With Air Canada For Free?
Aeroplan members can choose Standard seats for free for themselves and those traveling on the same booking. Complimentary seats are available for Aeroplan members in the following passengers if they are traveling with Latitude or Comfort fare:
|
Tier |
Timeline |
Seat Choice |
|
Aeroplan 25K, 35K |
during check-in |
Standard or Preferred |
|
Aeroplan 50K |
during booking |
Standard or Preferred |
|
Aeroplan 75K |
during booking or check-in |
Standard or Preferred |
|
Aeroplan Super Elite |
during booking or check-in |
Standard or Preferred |
Latitude, comfort, and Flex fare holders also enjoy free Standard seat selection for international flights. Air Canada Seat Selection Fees will not be imposed for passengers traveling with unaccompanied minors or disabilities.
Please Note
Aeroplan 50K Members can select free Preferred Seats on Flex or Standard fares within Canada and between Canada and the United States. For other itineraries, these seats are available at check-in only.
How Much Does Air Canada Charge For Seat Selection?
Air Canada does have charges for seat selection, which depend on your fare type, destination, membership tier, and specific seat choices you made. Let’s discuss the applicable charges that you may need to pay to confirm your seat selection.
- Passengers holding the Economy Basic fare must pay a seat selection fee, which starts at $16 each way per passenger, with Air Canada.
- For those traveling with an Economy Flex fare, standard seats are available on domestic flights, flights to U.S. destinations, and select international routes.
- Preferred Seats are priced between $19 and $199 or more, depending on when you make your selection. If you are flying from Paris (PAR) to Calgary (YYC), you can secure a preferred seat for just $21.
- Aeroplan Elite members and Latitude or Comfort fare holders can select Preferred Seats without any additional charges on certain routes.
The airline frequently makes changes to the Air Canada seat selection fee. To mitigate such uncertainties, you must check with customer service and get the most accurate information according to your fare holding. Premium fare passengers have a complimentary seat selection service on selected routes.
Destinations where advance seat selection fee will apply
- Aruba
- Panama
- Puerto Rico
- Grand Cayman Island
- Guadeloupe
- Haiti
- Antigua and Barbuda
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- Curaçao
- Cuba
- Costa Rica
- Martinique
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Dominican Republic
- Jamaica
- St. Maarten
- Mexico
- St. Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Bahamas
Nations where advance seat selection fee will apply
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Israel
- Germany
- India
- Greece
- Spain
- Hungary
- United Kingdom
- United Arab Emirates
- Belgium
- Algeria
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Switzerland
- Italy
- France
- Poland
- Iceland
- Morocco
- Ireland
When booking your flight, the airline offers you the option to pick your seats for your comfort and convenience. You can choose your preferred seats during the booking process or at a later time by bearing the Air Canada Seat Selection cost. If you have any special requirements, contact the customer service team at 1-888-422-7533.
What Types Of Seating Choices Are Available With Air Canada?
Air Canada understands every passenger has different preferences and budgets. To accommodate them, the airline provides various seating options. Learn more about the option with the mentioned table:
Comfort Seats
|
Complimentary Preferred seat |
Complimentary alcoholic beverages |
|
Early boarding |
Same-day airport standby |
Preferred Seats
|
Extra space |
Additional Legroom |
|
Bulkhead row seats |
Quicker exit on arrival |
Business Class
|
Lounge Access |
On-Demand Entertainment |
|
Flat-Lie Seat Beds |
Priority Boarding Services |
Premium Economy Class
|
Free entertainment |
Extra legroom |
|
In-flight services |
Free seat selection |
Economy Class
|
Free entertainment |
Charging outlet |
|
Budget-friendly |
Pillow and blanket (may charge) |
Premium fare holders can access the Maple Leaf Lounges to enhance their flight experience. If they have long layovers, passengers can relax and enjoy their waiting time in these premium lounges. If you select your seats during booking, there will also be an advance seat selection fee.
Conclusion
The Air Canada seat selection process allows you to choose your preferred seat on the plane. This enables you to enhance your overall travel experience by determining how and with whom you are flying. Since this process can involve various uncertainties and perplexing clauses, don’t hesitate to contact the Air Canada customer service team.
