Swiss Airline

Frequently asked questions

Advance seat reservation

Questions about advance seat reservation

1. Can I choose a seat in advance?

2. Are my seat choices guaranteed?
3. Why is the seat map deactivated in my profile?
4. Why are there different seat maps?
5. I have bought a ticket from a travel agent. Can I book another seat to go with it through
swiss.com?
6. Can seats also be reserved for children?
7. Can I change my booked seat category online later on? For instance, from a standard seat
to a seat with extra legroom?
8. If reserving seats online, do seats have to be booked for all the passengers?
9. What happens to my seat reservation if I cancel my flight?
10. What does "Preferred zone" mean?
11. What happens if I don't reserve my seat in advance?
12. Can a seat reservation be transferred to someone else?
13. Can I reserve my seat later online?
14. Can I choose my seat during Web check-in, as before?
15. Might SWISS change the seat I reserve in advance, later on?
16. Are there any benefits for HON Circle members, Senators, First and Business Class
passengers?
17. Can I choose my seats online even if part of the route is being flown by a partner airline?
18. Can a seat be reserved on a code share flight?
19. Can I reserve a seat on an Edelweiss flight with a SWISS flight number?
20. If I use a credit card to pay for seat reservation, will there also be an optional payment fee
(OPC)?
21. What payment methods can I use to pay for a seat reservation?
22. What happens if I have paid for a seat with extra legroom near an emergency seat and am
then seated somewhere else? Will I get my money back?
23. If I pay for a seat in advance when I book my flight but then want to change it later on, do
I have to pay?
24. Can any passenger sit on seats near an emergency exit?
25. Is there a charge for seat reservations for passengers in special categories (e.g. passengers
with limited mobility , babies, unaccompanied minors)?

1. Can I choose a seat in advance?

 Depending on your route and travel class, we offer you the option to reserve a seat up to
48 hours before departure. You can choose your seat during your booking, or later using
your profile and the seat plan. You will find further information in the conditions for
early seat reservations.

2. Are my seat choices guaranteed?

It is possible that for operational reasons, SWISS might have to change your seat
reservation at a later time. In this event, we will try to allocate you a seat of equal value
(window/aisle).

3. Why is the seat map deactivated in my profile?

The seat choice will only appear in the profile or in Manage my bookings" if it is
possible to choose a seat on your booked flights. Please observe the conditions for
choosing a seat.

4. Why are there different seat maps?

There are two different types of seat plan. We can display a detailed seat plan for flights
that are operated by SWISS. We show a simplified version of the seat plans for flights
that are operated by partner airlines on behalf of SWISS (wetlease).

5. I have bought a ticket from a travel agent. Can I book another seat to go
with it through swiss.com?

Yes, you can, provided you meet the Conditions for an online seat booking.

6. Can seats also be reserved for children?

Yes, and the conditions are the same as for adults (does not apply to children to the age of
2 years).

7. Can I change my booked seat category online later on? For instance, from
a standard seat to a seat with extra legroom?

This service is not yet available online. If you would like to change a booking to a higher
seat category, please contact our Service Center.

8. If reserving seats online, do seats have to be booked for all the passengers?

You can select a seat category for each passenger individually. It is possible to reserve
seats for all passengers or only some of them.

9. What happens to my seat reservation if I cancel my flight?

 Your seat reservation will no longer be valid. Find out more under Legal information.

10. What does "Preferred zone" mean?

The Preferred zone is in the front section of Economy Class. On the aircraft types A 319
to A321, it is the first 4 rows directly behind the Business Class curtain. On the Airbus A
330 and A 340 it is the first section in Economy. You will be able to see exactly where it
is on the seating plan when you book.

11. What happens if I don't reserve my seat in advance?

You will automatically be allocated a seat when you check in.

12. Can a seat reservation be transferred to someone else?

Seat reservations are not transferable.

13. Can I reserve my seat later online?

Have you changed your mind? That's not a problem. Just find your trip under Manage my
bookings, and reserve your seat there later.

14. Can I choose my seat during Web check-in, as before?

Of course, you can still choose from the available seats, free of charge, when you check
in for your flight. Check-in normally starts 23 hours before departure. Please note that the
choice may be limited.

15. Might SWISS change the seat I reserve in advance, later on?

If SWISS has to change your seat reservation, perhaps if the aircraft type is changed at
the last minute, then SWISS will automatically do its best to reserve a new seat of equal
quality for you. If it is not possible to reserve an equal seat for you, you may apply to
receive a Refund of the charge online.

16. Are there any benefits for HON Circle members, Senators, First and
Business Class passengers?

SWISS HON Circle Members and Senators can reserve their seats in advance free of
charge (except Economy Light). The same conditions apply for travel companions
travelling in the the same class. In order to receive the correct seats online, please book in
with your membership number. Passengers in First and Business Class can also reserve
their seats in advance, free of charge, regardless of their SWISS status.
17. Can I choose my seats online even if part of the route is being flown by a
partner airline?

We offer you the opportunity to reserve the seats for each leg separately online. If a leg is
being flown by a partner airline, we offer you the opportunity to choose a preferred seat.
Passengers travelling together will automatically be seated next to each other. Please note
that seat reservations with other airlines are not binding.

18. Can a seat be reserved on a code share flight?

Advance seat reservations are only valid on flights operated by SWISS and, in the case of
code share flights with a partner airline, if the SWISS flight number is booked.

19. Can I reserve a seat on an Edelweiss flight with a SWISS flight number?

Seats can be reserved on Edelweiss flights provided the Conditions for seat reservations
are met.

20. If I use a credit card to pay for seat reservation, will there also be an
optional payment fee (OPC)?

No; apart from the standard OPC when you book a flight, there is no additional OPC for
reserving a seat.

21. What payment methods can I use to pay for a seat reservation?

You can use any of the payment methods offered on swiss.com to pay for new seat
reservations. If you would like to add a seat reservation at a later date, you can pay by
any method except for vouchers.

22. What happens if I have paid for a seat with extra legroom near an
emergency seat and am then seated somewhere else? Will I get my money
back?

If SWISS moves the passenger for operational reasons, then the passenger will get his
money back. If the passenger is moved because he does not comply with the conditions
for a seat near an emergency exit, then the customer is not entitled to reimbursement.

23. If I pay for a seat in advance when I book my flight but then want to
change it later on, do I have to pay?

You can change your current seat. If you change to a lower seat category the difference
will not be reimbursed. However, if you change to a higher price class, you must pay the
difference.
24. Can any passenger sit on seats near an emergency exit?

No; certain categories are not permitted for safety reasons: passengers with limited
mobility, babies and children to 16 years of age, unaccompanied minors and pregnant
women. Seats with extra legroom are usually at the emergency exits. Special Conditions
apply when reserving these seats.

25. Is there a charge for seat reservations for passengers in special categories
(e.g. passengers with limited mobility , babies, unaccompanied minors)?

Seats for special-category passengers will remain free of charge according to their
requirements. For seat reservations, please contact the Service Center.