how do i get my seat assignment on delta

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The Delta Seat Selection Guide

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How Delta seat selection works

Delta seat selection fee, ticket types and seat selection rules, delta air lines seats for elite members, delta plane seating chart, how to pick seats on delta, final thoughts on selecting a seat on delta air lines.

Booking a Delta Air Lines flight and wondering about Delta’s seat selection? It’s no wonder — with differing benefits for elite members and strict restrictions on basic economy tickets, figuring out how and when to choose your Delta seat can quickly become overwhelming.

Here's a look at Delta seat assignments, how Delta Air Lines’ seating system works and the costs of choosing a seat.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards

Delta operates a variety of cabin classes on its aircraft, including economy, Premium Select, first class and Delta One seats.

Like most airlines, Delta will allow you to select your seat when booking, though the cost to do so and any upcharges will vary depending on the flight you’re taking. Those flying with families and wondering “does Delta seat families together?” are in luck. Delta does its best to seat families together, even after check-in.

» Learn more: Delta vs. United, which is best for you?

According to an analysis of airline fees by NerdWallet, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines charge the least for seat selection, while budget airlines Frontier and Spirit charge the most.

Delta sits in the middle, charging an average of $15-plus for each flight that you'd like to select a seat for. The cost will vary depending on the type of ticket you book with the airline — which we'll discuss next.

» Learn more: How to navigate costly airline seat selection fees

How much is seat selection on Delta Air Lines? That will depend on the ticket type you’re purchasing, be it basic economy, main cabin, Premium Select (premium economy), first class or Delta One.

Basic economy

Basic economy tickets have the most restrictions of any Delta ticket, and this extends to seat selection. Those who book basic economy tickets won't be able to select seats; instead, a seat will be randomly assigned to each passenger after check-in. This includes families and groups who are traveling together — expect to be split up when booking a basic economy ticket.

If you reserve a basic economy ticket, it’s possible to purchase a specific seat starting seven days before departure. Pricing for this varies by trip and is priced by segment.

Main cabin seating, also known as regular economy, includes complimentary seat selection. As a main cabin customer, you also have the option to purchase an upgrade to preferred or Delta Comfort Plus seats while remaining an economy class passenger.

You can also book upgraded economy tickets with additional seat selection perks:

Main Cabin Preferred: Main Cabin Preferred seats are functionally the same as regular main cabin seats. The difference lies in the seat location; Main Cabin Preferred seats are typically window and aisle seats nearer to the front of the plane, plus exit rows. These are the least expensive upgrades from standard economy seating.

Comfort Plus: When available, a Delta Comfort Plus ticket can be purchased directly while booking and the price will include seat selection. The cost to upgrade is higher than for a preferred seat in main cabin. Comfort Plus features more legroom than main cabin and offers passengers dedicated overhead bins. In addition, Comfort Plus guests will receive complimentary beer and wine on all domestic and short-haul international flights.

Main cabin passengers can also choose to upgrade to a Comfort Plus seat either before or after purchasing their ticket.

Premium Select

Premium Select is Delta’s version of premium economy, with larger seats and better recline, two free checked bags, earlier boarding and premium extras. Those who book Premium Select can choose any seat within the cabin for no additional fee.

Delta One and first class

Both first class and Delta One ticket holders can choose any seat within their cabin for free. These spacious seats come with two free checked bags, premium snacks and meals, priority boarding, and a dedicated flight attendant.

GET MORE MILES, MORE BENEFITS WITH A DELTA CARD

Regardless of where you sit once you're on the plane, a Delta-branded credit card can make your trip go a little smoother. Most include free checked bags and priority boarding, and some really stack up the perks. Among options:

on American Express' website

$0 intro for the first year, then $150 .

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S.

• 1 mile per $1 on all other eligible purchases.

Terms apply.

• 2 miles per $1 on purchases made directly with Delta and at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and on hotel purchases.

• 2 miles per $1 at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.).

• 3 miles per $1 on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.

• 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.

• No foreign transaction fees.

• First checked bag free.

• Priority boarding.

• Companion certificate (main cabin).

• Airport lounge access.

• Companion certificate (first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin).

• Credit for application fee for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card , see this page . To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , see this page .

Those who have joined the Delta SkyMiles program and earned Medallion elite status will receive seating benefits on their flights.

Main Cabin Preferred

When booking main cabin tickets, all four tiers of elite status members can select main cabin preferred seats for no additional charge.

» Learn more: The NerdWallet guide to earning Delta SkyMiles

Comfort Plus

Platinum and Diamond level elite members (the two highest tiers) can choose Comfort Plus seats shortly after ticketing for free. Mid-tier Gold members, meanwhile, will be able to select these seats starting 72 hours prior to departure, and low-level Silver members can pick from available Comfort Plus seats starting 24 hours before departure.

Delta elite members will also receive upgrades on select first class and Delta One flights depending on their elite status.

You can find Delta Air Lines seating without needing to book a flight. To do so, you’ll want to first search for your preferred route on Delta’s website. On the search results page, you’ll find a variety of flights from which to choose.

Each flight presents a seat map, which you can preview by selecting "Seats."

Once you’ve picked "Seats," you’ll be taken to a new page that shows a live preview of your aircraft’s seats.

You’ll also be able to view the seat map during the booking process. Once you’ve selected your flight, you’ll be taken to another page prompting you to pick a seat.

How do I choose my seat on Delta?

During booking

The process for reserving a Delta seat is fairly simple. As we mentioned above, you’ll be able to pick seats when booking your flights on the website; Delta will automatically prompt you to do so before checkout.

You may not be able to select seats on codeshare flights, which are operated by Delta’s partners . In this case, you’ll want to go directly to the other airlines’ webpage to manage your seat selection.

After booking

If you need to choose or alter your seat after you’ve booked your flight, go to "My Trips" on the Delta homepage.

If you’re logged in already, you’ll be able to view all the trips you have booked with Delta. You’ll find seat selection options by going down to the "Passenger Information" section.

» Learn more: 6 ways to save on Delta flights

Delta has a variety of ticketing options available for every type of passenger. This includes the highly restrictive basic economy class ticket as well as main cabin tickets for those who prefer certainty with their seats.

Upgrading to Main Cabin Preferred and Comfort Plus seats offers better benefits for those in economy. Loyal members of Delta’s SkyMiles program can also expect to receive complimentary access to these seats and upgrades to higher classes depending on their level of status.

Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines.

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General Conditions of Purchase

Delta & Delta Connection Operated Flights

This product is nonrefundable and nonchangeable. If a customer voluntarily changes his/her flight or seat selection once purchased, no refund for the original purchase will be provided and no MQDs will be awarded. We reserve the right to assign or reassign your upgraded seat at any time, even after boarding of the aircraft, for operational, safety or security reasons. The final decision resides with the ground staff and the operating crew on the day of the flight. Refunds will be issued to any reassigned customer if the customer is not moved to a comparable or better seat.

The advertised price is not an offer and is subject to change. No contract exists until you receive confirmation that payment was received and processed. Upgrades may only be purchased for Delta-or Delta Connection-operated flights and are not available for Award Tickets and certain discounted and exception fares. Additional eligibility restrictions may apply at Delta's sole discretion. All passengers within the confirmation number must be upgraded to Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+ TM , Delta Premium Select or First/Delta One fare classes. Fare Rules of your initial reservation will apply regardless of whether rules that would otherwise apply to the fare class of your upgraded ticket are less restrictive. Upgraded tickets are eligible for additional mileage, MQM, and MQD accruals due to the selection of Delta Comfort+ TM Delta Premium Select or First/Delta One and associated fare classes, and the increase in base fare or carrier imposed surcharges paid in connection with your upgrade. All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits, respectively. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules . If you purchased trip insurance when purchasing your original ticket, your benefits under the trip insurance policy are limited to those applicable under your original ticket. Prices, offers, rules, and benefits are subject to change.

Exit Row Qualifications

Please confirm that the passenger meets the following criteria. Federal regulations require that passengers meet a set of criteria in order to be seated in an exit.

• You must be able to understand and speak English
• You must be able to comprehend verbal instructions for operating the emergency exit, including visually locating and operating a window exit or exit door and directing others to the exit
• You must be physically able to quickly activate the evacuation slide and help others off to it
• You must be physically able to open an exit door and lift and stow a window exit weighing up to 60lb (28kgs)
• You must not have a condition that might cause you harm if called upon to perform an applicable exit row function
• You must not require the use of a seat belt extension due to the hazard of entanglement
• You cannot be under 15 years of age or traveling with a child under the age of 15
• You cannot be traveling with an animal in the cabin of the aircraft
• You cannot be traveling with supplemental oxygen or a wheelchair
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What Does “Seat Request” Mean on a Delta Ticket?

A “seat request” on a Delta flight (or on any other airline) basically means that you are requesting a seat that will be assigned to you at your boarding gate. In other words, your ticket is confirmed, but you don’t have a seat assignment yet, so you’re essentially toward the top of the standby passenger list. It’s not a big deal and has happened to me on various occasions in the past.

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Reasons you may have a Delta “seat request” include:

• When Delta changes the aircraft for a flight (resulting in a different seating configuration on the plane.
• If a flight is overbooked. You’ve probably heard airlines asking for volunteers to give up their seats in exchange for a voucher.
• If you miss a connection and need to have a seat re-assigned to you for your connecting flight.
• If you haven’t selected a seat for yourself by flight time, or booked your flight at the last minute.
• If your seat was available when you booked your flight, but was assigned to another passenger before you completed the transaction.
• If you’re re-booked from another flight for any reason.
• Delta is assigning your seat at the gate in order to leave certain seats open for passengers with certain disabilities.
• It might be for weight and balance (W&B) reasons. To make sure the weight is distributed evenly throughout an aircraft, airlines sometimes have to reassign seats.
• If Delta is saving seats for preferred passengers.
• Delta might reassign you a seat if they are trying to accommodate a family that wants to sit together.

If you have an unassigned seat, it’s a good idea to keep checking the itinerary/schedule as the day of your flight approaches to make sure everything’s still OK with seats and schedules.

Related: Is Delta Comfort Plus Worth It?

Can You Choose Your Seat on a Delta Flight?

In most cases, yes, you can when you purchase your ticket. There are circumstances within which you may have a confirmed ticket, without a seat assignment, so your seat will be assigned after you check in for your flight, at the gate. Instead of a seat number on your ticket, it will say “Seat Request.” There are various reasons you may have a ticket but no seat assignment yet, including that the flight was simply overbooked, or because you missed a connecting flight and have to travel on a different aircraft (and still need to have a seat assigned).

Related: What Size Luggage Can Hold 50 LBS

Why Does Delta Assign Some Seats at the Gate?

There are a number of reasons Delta (or another airline) might assign you a seat until you’re checked in for the flight, and at the gate. Flights get overbooked sometimes, special needs passengers (or families) need to be accommodated, or perhaps you simply missed a connecting flight, but still need a seat assignment on a different flight. It’s possible to have a confirmed ticket for a flight, but without an assigned seat yet.

It also allows for frequent flyers who book their flights at the last minute (or who are flying ‘Same-Day Confirmed” or “Same Day Standby”) to get a better selection from the remaining unassigned seats. If a flight is booked full or near full capacity, sometimes the only remaining seats are near the back, between two other passengers, so last-minute seat assignments help avoid this.

What Happens If I Don’t Reserve a Seat on a Delta Flight?

If you booked your flight at the last minute, or if a flight is overbooked, you might find yourself flying with a “Seat Request” status. This is like being at the top of the standby passenger list. You have a confirmed ticket for the flight, just no assigned seat. These types of seats are assigned at the gate at the discretion of the gate representative. This works out well for travelers who are traveling by themselves and is a sometimes necessary procedure for Delta (and other airlines). 

Is It Worth Paying For Seat Selection?

It’s common for air travelers to book a flight, then have to select a seat. Many airlines now charge for “in-demand” seat assignments, like those near the front of the plane, aisle seats, or window seats. 

Should you pay for a seat selection? There are a variety of opinions on this, but basically, it just depends on how much it’s worth it to you to be comfortable. You might not want to get a “leftover seat,” sitting way in the back of the plane between two other passengers.

Back at BDL for Round 2. “Why does it say seat request if I had a confirmed seat?” Delta guy: “Oh don’t worry you have a seat.” …. I’m worried. pic.twitter.com/WAjUREFX8F — Carlin Sanderson (@carlinsanderson) July 22, 2019

Why does my Delta ticket say “Seat at Gate”?

A Delta ticket that says “Seat at Gate” or “Seat Request” means just that. You have a confirmed ticket for your flight, but no assigned seat yet. It means you’re essentially at the top, or near the top, of the standby passenger list. Delta and other airlines sometimes overbook flights and need to reassign some seats at the gate, or for some other reason, like if a passenger missed a connecting flight and needs to have a seat reassigned.

Is a Delta “Seat Request” the Same as on Standby?

Not exactly, but close. Delta “Seat Request” tickets mean that you have a confirmed ticket, but no seat assigned yet. There are a number of reasons for your being issued a “Seat Request” ticket that include a flight having been overbooked, if you’ve missed a connecting flight and have to have a seat reassigned to you on another flight, etc. “Seat Request” tickets are essentially at the top of the standby passenger list.

What Happens If You Don’t Have an Assigned Seat on Delta?

If you’ve purchased a ticket for a Delta flight, you may find yourself with a seat confirmed, but without a seat assignment yet. This means that you’re essentially at the top of the standby passenger list and that your seat will be assigned at the gate. This could happen for a number of reasons, including an overbooked flight, a passenger missing a connecting flight and needing to be assigned a seat on another aircraft, or to accommodate a special needs passenger. Sometimes, it might just be so that Delta can accommodate a family that wants to sit together.

So: What Does “Seat Request” Mean on a Delta Ticket?

Remember, if your Delta flight ticket says “seat request” it basically means your ticket is confirmed, but you don’t have a seat assignment yet, so you will be assigned one at the gate. It’s like being at the top (or near the top) of the standby passenger list. 

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