Sitting comfortably? Take a few minutes to read how seating on board works! | Finnair Österreich
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Sitting comfortably? Take a few minutes to read how seating on board works!

We regularly get questions about how seats are assigned onboard and what are the best ways to ensure you get your desired seat. Read our Q&A on the topic and keep our tips in mind next time you book.

1. Do I have to pay for my seat if I want to select one myself?

If you want to select your favourite seat or make sure that you are seated next to your travel companion, you can purchase a seat in advance when buying your ticket or afterwards through Manage Booking or Finnair app. Otherwise, a seat will be assigned automatically to those travelling on Superlight, Light and Classic tickets. With Flex tickets, standard and preferred seat selection is complimentary. The seat selection varies according to the aircraft, but there are always many options to choose from.

Seat selection is complimentary for our Finnair Plus Platinum and Platinum Lumo members through Manage Booking, including Comfort and Extra Legroom seats. For our Finnair Plus Gold members, the seat selection is complimentary except for Extra Legroom seats. Finnair Plus Silver members can purchase a pre-selected seat at a 50% discount, excluding Comfort and Extra Legroom seats.

2. Why can’t I select a seat free of charge at check-in?

We made changes to the seat selection practices on 1 June 2023. When you have a Superlight, Light, or Classic ticket, you can choose your favorite seat for your flight by purchasing it in advance, or otherwise let us choose a seat for you. This means complimentary seat selection is not available during check-in for these ticket types as of 1 June, regardless of the ticket purchase date. With Flex tickets, you can select standard and preferred seats complimentarily also before check-in.

3. Why can't I book a seat in advance on a flight operated by one of your partner airlines?

You can always purchase in advance for flights operated by Finnair. If you are travelling on a flight operated by one of our partner airlines, their rules apply, also regarding seating. You can contact the operating airline directly, check their website for more information, or wait for their check-in to open.

4. I purchased a seat and have now decided to upgrade my travel class, what happens to my seat selection?

If you upgrade your travel class, your previously purchased seat selection is refunded automatically. The fastest way to request an upgrade is via our chatbot Sisu when using Avios or upgrade benefits. For that, you don’t have to queue at all. 

5. I have been assigned a window seat, but prefer to sit by the aisle, can I change it?

If you haven’t purchased a seat in advance, we will automatically assign you a seat at check-in. If you aren’t happy with the seat we have chosen for you, you can purchase a seat from the selection that is still available.

6. I pre-purchased a seat but the operating aircraft has now been changed, what happens to my seat selection?

The type of aircraft may change after you purchased your flight or seat. For operational, safety and security reasons, requested seats can't be guaranteed. Sometimes we might even need to rearrange seating after boarding for the same reasons.

If we need to change your seat, we always do our best to find a seat that is as similar to your desired seat as possible. We will always try to offer you the equivalent seat that you had purchased. If we are unable to deliver an equivalent seat, you can apply for a refund.

7. I was assigned a seat at check-in, but my seat has changed afterwards, how is this possible?

You can purchase seats until very close to the flight’s departure, and therefore it is possible that someone has purchased the seat we had already assigned to you. If you prefer a certain type of seat, we recommend you purchase it in advance. Additionally, there might be changes due to operational, safety, or security reasons.  

8. I would like to be seated together with my travel companion, but there are no seats available. Why is this?

We do our best to offer seats next to each other for customers who are on the same flight reservation. However, depending on availability, we are not able to guarantee this. This could, for example, be due to bigger groups and families with children onboard, which affects the order of available seats on the seat map. Additionally, many passengers may have purchased their desired seat in advance. By purchasing seats in advance through Manage Booking or Finnair app, you can choose seats next to each other with your travel companion.

9. Are children seated together with the adults travelling on the same reservation?

Our system assigns children under 12 to sit next to at least one adult on the same reservation. If the system fails to find seats for the children next to a familiar adult, we will fix it in customer service or at the airport. If you would like to ensure seats together for the entire family, we recommend purchasing them in advance. 

10. Do you offer a baby bassinet? Does it come at an extra cost and what age group is it appropriate for?

We offer baby bassinets on all our long-haul flights. Due to the bassinet measurements and weight limitation, bassinets are recommended for infants younger than 6 months. You can purchase in advance the front row seats, where the baby bassinets can be attached to. The seats are marked with a bassinet icon on the seat map. The seats are chargeable since they are regular front row seats, available for purchase to all our customers.

11. You have introduced a new travel class Premium Economy for your long-haul flights, how are the seats different from Economy Class?

Our spacious Premium Economy seats have an extra 7” (17.5cm) in seat pitch compared to the standard Economy Class seats. The longer leg rests give support to the entire length of your legs, the seats have better recline, and memory foam cushions add to your comfort. The seat also has a personal reading light, a handy cocktail table, a larger table to enjoy your meals on, as well as plenty of innovative storage features.  

12. What's special about your new AirLounge seat used in long-haul Business Class?

The new Business Class seat can be turned into a spacious bed, where you can fully lie down and enjoy a good night’s sleep. There is a proper mattress pad and cushions to support your body and make you comfortable in every sleeping position. The bed is dressed with exclusive Marimekko textiles. Before you decide to turn in you can make use of the clever stowage features, a personal custom-design reading light and built-in USB A and C sockets, PC power and a standard wireless charger. There is no better way to spend a long flight than on our AirLounge.


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