Sitting comfortably? Take a few minutes to read how seating on board works!
Selection and pricing
1. Do I have to pay to select my seat?
Not always. However, the most reliable way to secure your preferred seat is to purchase it in advance.
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, 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. Our Finnair for Business customers get a complimentary seat selection for Standard and Preferred seats.
2. Why can't I book a seat in advance on a flight operated by one of your partner airlines?
On partner-operated flights, seat booking rules are set by the operating airline, not Finnair.
You can always purchase a seat 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, or leave your seat selection until their check-in opens, or wait for their check-in to open.
3. My profile preference says window seat, but I keep getting an aisle seat. Why?
Profile preferences are applied automatically for Gold and Platinum members and Flex ticket holders whenever possible.
For Finnair Plus Gold, Platinum and Platinum Lumo members, and for those travelling on Flex tickets, seat preferences are always honoured. For Basic and Silver members, preferences cannot be applied automatically on ticket types other than Flex. You can also see this in your Finnair Plus profile.
If you want to make sure you get your preferred seat type, the most reliable way is to purchase a seat in advance through Manage Booking or Finnair app.
When plans change
4. I purchased a seat and have now decided to upgrade my travel class. What happens to my seat selection?
Your seat fee is refunded automatically when you upgrade your travel class.
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?
You can purchase a different seat at check-in, depending on what is still available.
If you haven’t purchased a seat in advance, we will assign you a seat at check-in. If you aren’t happy with it, you can purchase a different seat from whatever is still available at that point.
6. I bought my preferred seat in advance. Why has it changed?
We always try to find a comparable seat, but purchased seats cannot be fully guaranteed.
The type of aircraft may change after you purchase your flight or seat. For operational, safety and security reasons, purchased seats cannot be guaranteed. Sometimes we may need to rearrange seating after boarding for the same reasons.
On average, 95% of purchased seats are delivered as selected. If we need to change your seat, we always do our best to find one that is as similar as possible to your original choice.
If we are unable to offer an equivalent seat, or if your seat is moved more than five rows from your original position, you are entitled to a refund of the seat fee. Refunds are not automatic and you need to request one yourself. See question 8 for details.
7. I was given a seat at check-in, but it changed afterwards. How is this possible?
We sometimes need to change seats close to departure for safety and operational reasons.
The most common reasons near departure are an aircraft change, weight and balance requirements, operational reseating (for example, seating families together), and broken seats.
8. I paid for a seat but didn't get the one I chose. Can I get a refund?
Yes, if the seat type changes (for special seats) or if your seat is moved more than five rows from the original (for Standard and Preferred seats).
You can apply for a refund in two situations, depending on the seat type.
- Special seats (for example exit row, extra legroom, or bulkhead seats): With these seats, the type itself is what you paid for. A refund applies if the seat type changes. For instance, if the aircraft is changed and you move from the first exit row to another exit row, no refund is issued, because the seat type is preserved.
- Standard or Preferred seats: With these seats, what matters is where in the cabin you sit. A refund applies if your seat is moved more than five rows from the original.
Refunds are not automatic. You can apply through Manage Booking or the refund form. If you are not sure whether you qualify, our customer service is happy to help.
Travelling as a group
9. We are travelling as a group but booked our tickets separately. Can you still seat us together?
We don’t automatically know that you want to sit together if your reservations are separate.
If members of your group have booked separately, we do not automatically know that you want to sit together. Each booking appears as an independent record in our system.
The easiest way to secure seats together is one of two ways:
- Purchase seats in advance from the same area of the cabin through Manage Booking or Finnair app, so you can choose adjacent seats yourselves.
- Make sure all travel companions are on the same reservation. In that case, we aim to seat you together automatically.
If everyone has booked separately, our cabin crew will have limited options to help on board. We simply won’t know that you want to sit together.
10. I would like to be seated together with my travel companion, but there are no suitable seats available. Why?
Being on the same reservation or purchasing seats in advance is the most reliable way to sit together.
We do our best to offer adjacent seats for customers on the same reservation. However, depending on availability, this cannot always be guaranteed. Larger groups or families on board, as well as passengers who have pre-purchased their seats, all affect what remains available. By purchasing seats in advance through Manage Booking or Finnair app, you can choose adjacent seats.
If members of your group are on separate reservations, we have no way of knowing that you want to sit together. See question 10 for more.
11. Are children seated next to the adults on the same reservation?
Yes. Children under 12 are automatically placed next to at least one adult on the same reservation.
Our system automatically assigns children under 12 to sit next to at least one adult on the same reservation. On flights to Canada, the minimum age is 14 due to local regulations. If the system cannot place a child next to a familiar adult, we will resolve this at customer service or at the airport. If you would like to ensure seats together for the entire family, we recommend purchasing them in advance.
Special seats and cabin types
12. What makes the AirLounge seat in long-haul Business Class special?
The AirLounge seat converts into a full flat bed, allowing you to sleep fully reclined.
Our Business Class seat, AirLounge, converts into a spacious flat bed where you can fully lie down and sleep. There is a proper mattress pad and cushions to support different sleeping positions, and the bed is dressed with Marimekko textiles. Before you settle in, you have access to clever storage, a personal reading light, built-in USB A and C sockets, a laptop power outlet and a wireless charger. There is no better way to spend a long flight than on our AirLounge.
13. Can children travel in the AirLounge seats in long-haul Business Class?
Yes, but child seats are not supported and all children over two must use standard safety belts.
Children can travel on AirLounge seats, but it is worth noting that the A350 and A330 Business Class seats do not support child seats. All children over two years old must use regular safety belts and be able to sit independently 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 see or reach the child from another seat when the safety belt sign is on.
If a child is unable to sit 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. For families with small children, we recommend Premium Economy on long-haul flights.