Why is there no seat number on my flight ticket?


Why is there no seat number on my flight ticket? If you were not assigned a seat, this likely means you booked a Basic Economy fare, which do not permit assigned seats prior to airport arrival. If you did not book a Basic Economy ticket, it could mean that the airline is not permitting pre-assigned seating at this time or they may only assign seating at Check In.


Can airlines kick you off a flight if overbooked?

If there are not enough passengers who are willing to give up their seats voluntarily, an airline may deny you a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passenger's check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passenger's frequent flyer status.


Do airlines automatically assign seats?

With Basic Economy, you'll automatically be assigned a seat before boarding, and you won't be able to change your seat once it's assigned. Advance seat assignments may be available for purchase during booking and up until check-in opens.


What happens if everyone shows up for an overbooked flight?

Airlines can sell more seats than they have available – as they assume that not all passengers will show up for the flight. If all passengers do show up, some may be denied boarding or “bumped” off the flight.


Can you buy a plane ticket and not get a seat?

Emphatically, no. You will likely get assigned a seat during check-in (though you should still skip it if the airline tries to tack on a fee) or, at the very least, at the gate. Again: You don't have to select a seat in order to get a seat. You just might get stuck with a suboptimal one if you choose to skip it.


What flights are most overbooked?

Here's a look at American carriers, starting with the worst for overbooking and descending to the best:
  • Spirit Airlines — 78 IDBs per million passengers.
  • Frontier Airlines — 55.
  • Southwest Airlines — 41.
  • Alaska Airlines — 28.
  • American Airlines — 24.
  • United Airlines — 13.
  • Delta Air Lines — 3.
  • JetBlue Airways — 2.


Which airlines do not assign seats?

Southwest Airlines is the one airline on this list that does not assign seats in advance, so you cannot purchase a specific seat assignment ahead of time. With Southwest's open seating policy, you will be assigned a boarding group (A, B or C) and a position within that boarding group (1 through 60-plus) at check-in.


Can an airline not give you a seat?

If there are not enough passengers who are willing to give up their seats voluntarily, an airline may deny you a seat on an aircraft based on criteria that it establishes, such as the passenger's check-in time, the fare paid by the passenger, or the passenger's frequent flyer status.


Am I guaranteed a seat with basic economy?

Unless you pay for a seat, you'll be assigned one either at check-in or at boarding time. You are, however, guaranteed a seat as much as with any other ticket.


Why do airlines wait to assign seats?

The airlines will hold back some seats for assignment so that the gate agent have some leeway to put family traveling together, passengers with special needs, etc.


How do you tell if a flight is overbooked?

Passengers can inquire about overbooking by contacting their respective airlines or using apps that show available seats per cabin. If your flight is overbooked, airlines will usually ask for volunteers to give up their seats and offer compensation in return.


How do I know if my seats are available on a flight?

Go to http://www.expedia.com/ and enter travel dates and times and click on search for flights. Usually, a long list of flights will appear. Click on the Preview Seat Availability link that appears just under your desired flight. A seat map will be shown with all available seats.