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

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.