Sitting comfortably? Take a few minutes to read how seating on board works! | Finnair Austria
Blue Wings stories

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

We regularly get questions about how seats are assigned on board 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.

If you would like to change the seat you purchased, you can easily do so in Manage booking. If there is availability and if you bought the seat on or after 26 June 2024, changing your purchased seat to the same or lower seat category is free of charge. Read more about changing pre-paid seats

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 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.

3. 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. 

4. 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.

5. 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 purchase 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. For seats bought on or after 26 June 2024, you may also change your purchased seat to the same or lower seat category free of charge through Manage booking. If we are unable to deliver an equivalent seat, you can apply for a refund.

6. 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.  

7. 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.

8. 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. 

9. 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 pre-purchase a front-row seat, where a baby bassinet can be attached. 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.

10. You have introduced a new Premium Economy travel class 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 support 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.  

11. 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.

12. Can children travel in your AirLounge seats in long-haul Business Class?

Children can travel on our AirLounge seats, but it’s good to note that our Business Class seats in A350 and A330 aircraft do not support using a child seat, and all children over two years old must use regular safety belts and be able to sit in the seat on their own for the whole flight. Only one person is allowed per seat (excluding infants), and due to the shell design of the AirLounge seat, it’s not possible to reach the child from another seat when the safety belt sign is on.

If a child is unable to sit in their seat and use the safety belt properly, our cabin crew may need to move the child and their parent to another travel class, so that we can ensure everyone’s safety. Our Premium Economy Class is an excellent choice when travelling with small children on long-haul flights.


Navigated to page: Sitting comfortably? Take a few minutes to read how seating on board works!