American Airlines’ unique ‘preferred seat’ selection policy has inadvertently created a surge in passengers choosing often-avoided middle seats. Unlike other airlines that may offer complimentary seat selection, American Airlines frequently requires passengers to pay extra for their preferred seats, resembling a model adopted by budget airlines.
As Wendy, a travel advisor on TikTok, explains, the reason behind this middle seat preference is that American Airlines only offers free seat selection for the last 10 rows of the aircraft. Beyond those rows, passengers must pay for aisle or window seats, leaving families and groups who haven’t pre-selected their seats with limited options. This often results in last-minute scrambling at the gate as they try to secure seats together.
According to American Airlines’ official policy regarding basic economy seating, passengers can choose a specific seat for a fee at any time. However, the airline cannot guarantee that companions on the same ticket will be seated together. Wendy acknowledges that she doesn’t mind paying for seats with additional perks, but she emphasizes that airlines shouldn’t charge extra for regular seats.
The TikTok video highlighting this issue has garnered widespread attention, with many viewers sharing their experiences with the airline. Commenters have pointed out that the policy may vary depending on the plane type and route, and some have suggested that not selecting a seat can result in an automatic assignment at the gate.
To avoid paying seat selection fees, passengers can consider signing up for American Airlines’ frequent flyer program, AAdvantage, which offers elite status and the ability to earn points towards free seat upgrades. It’s important to note that the cost of selecting a seat on American Airlines can vary depending on factors such as flight length and seat type. However, Nerd Wallet acknowledges that window and aisle seats may incur additional charges.
