When I fly low-cost airlines, I try to get a seat near the front whenever possible. That way, I can get off quickly and get in line for immigration faster. I'd rather secure a seat that allows me to disembark quickly than wait 30 minutes in the immigration line after arriving at the airport. But at some point, I started to get confused. I used to select my seat right when I booked my flight because it gave me peace of mind, but I noticed my friends often selected their seats a day before departure.
When I asked why, they said they sometimes get good seats.
I wondered if others did the same, and when I looked it up, opinions were divided. Some said, "Always grab a seat as soon as you book," while others said, "Good seats are all paid anyway, so it's the same if you book late." This started to confuse me, so I've organized this information hoping it helps those traveling abroad.
First, you need to understand how airlines release seats.
From what I've gathered, airlines don't release all seats at once. As you probably know, they release them in stages. Initially, all standard seats are released. However, front seats, exit row seats, and some good window seats are separated as paid options. The free seats you can choose are usually in the middle to back of the plane.
24-48 hours before departure (at the time of online check-in), some previously unsold paid seats may become available for free. This is a rare case, but airlines would rather fill seats for free than leave them empty. However, not all airlines do this.
On the day of departure at the airport counter, seats are assigned from what's left, so there's almost no choice.
If it's a low-cost airline, do this:
For those who, like me, frequently fly low-cost carriers (LCCs), it's a bit different. Almost all seat assignments on LCCs are paid. You can't choose a seat for free; it's automatically assigned at check-in. So, the idea of "getting a good seat by booking early" doesn't really apply. Whether you book early or late, you have to pay to choose a seat, and if you don't pay, it's random assignment.
Depending on the flight distance, I sometimes pay extra for a front seat for peace of mind, and for destinations like Japan, I often don't worry about seat selection.
And one more LCC trap: sometimes free seat selection becomes available starting 24 hours before check-in. Airlines like Jin Air and Jeju Air do this. If you aim for this, you can choose a seat without paying, but good seats disappear quickly, so you need to set an alarm and go in exactly 24 hours before. (The chances of success are slim, but I sometimes use this when going to Japan.)
If it's a full-service airline, do this:
Full-service airlines (FSCs) like Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, and JAL offer free standard seat selection. However, good seats like front rows or exit rows are separately paid (usually 30,000-70,000 won).
And for those traveling with companions, booking early is almost always the right answer, whether it's a full-service or low-cost airline. To sit together as two or three people, you need consecutive seats, and as bookings fill up, consecutive seats disappear.
To summarize, it varies by situation.
- Full-service airline + traveling with companions → Select seats immediately after booking
- Full-service airline + solo + particular about seat location → Select seats immediately after booking
- Full-service airline + solo + anywhere is OK → No big difference if you select late
- Low-cost airline + particular about seat → Pay and book in advance, or aim for free selection 24 hours before
- Low-cost airline + anywhere is OK → Just let it be automatically assigned
The ultimate conclusion
The saying "it's better to book early" is only half true. It ultimately depends on the type of airline, whether you're traveling with companions, and your preference for seat location. If it's a full-service airline, you're with companions, and you care about your seat, then booking early is the answer. If it's a low-cost airline or you don't care about your seat, you can book late. If you're like me and aim for a front seat on a low-cost airline, there's only one answer: an alarm 24 hours before check-in. It's not about booking early, but about booking at the precise timing.
I hope this article helps those who are struggling with seat selection after booking their flight. I'll also set an alarm 24 hours before my next trip to Japan and aim for a front seat.