FAQs: Advance seat reservation

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 advance seat reservations.

It is possible that SWISS may have to change your seat reservation at a later time for operational reasons. In that case we will try to reserve you a seat automatically in the passenger seat category you have booked.

The “reserve seat” option will only appear in your 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.

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).

Yes, you can, providing you meet the ​conditions for a seat reservation.

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

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

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

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

The preferred zone is situated in the foremost part of economy classes. For flights within Europe these are the first four rows immediately after the Business Class curtain. On intercontinental flights, the size of the preferred zone varies depending on the aircraft type and will be behind SWISS Business or SWISS Premium Economy.

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

Seat reservations are not transferable.

Just find your trip under ​Manage my bookings and reserve your seat there later.

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

If we have to change your seat reservation, for example due to a change of the aircraft type, we will do our best to reserve a new seat for you automatically in the seat category you have booked. If this is not possible, you can contact our Service Centre to apply for a refund of the fee you have paid.

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 same travel class. In order to receive the correct seats online, please register with your membership number. Passengers in First and Business Class can also reserve their seat (except an Extra Space seat) in advance online, free of charge, regardless of their SWISS status.

We offer you the option of reserving seats for each leg separately online. If a leg is being flown by a selected partner airline and is booked in combination with a Lufthansa Group flight, we offer you the opportunity to choose a seat in advance. Just find your trip under “My bookings” to check if it is possible to book a seat with the partner airline. Passengers travelling together will automatically be seated next to each other. Please note that advance seat reservations with other airlines are not binding and the terms and conditions of the respective operating airlines apply. You will find more information on the respective airline website.

An advance seat reservation is available for flights operated by the Lufthansa Group, Edelweiss, Discover Airlines or Air Dolomiti, as well as flights operated by Helvetic on behalf of SWISS. Advance seat reservations on other codeshare flights are not possible.

Yes, you can also reserve a seat on swiss.com for flights operated by Edelweiss.

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

You can use any of the payment methods offered on swiss.com to pay for new seat reservations during your flight booking. If you would like to add a seat reservation at a later date, you can pay by credit or debit card.

No. This is not currently possible.

Your current seat can be changed. If you switch to a seat in a lower category then the difference will not be refunded. If you switch to a higher category then you will need to pay the difference.

No, certain categories are excluded for safety reasons: passengers with limited mobility, babies and children up to 16 years of age, unaccompanied minors and pregnant women. Seats with extra legroom are usually by the emergency exits. ​Special Conditions apply when reserving these seats.

Seats for special-category passengers will remain free of charge depending on their requirements. For seat reservations, please contact the ​Service Centre.

As per the regulations of the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC), you have the right to a complimentary advance seat reservation on flights to and from Italy if you meet the following criteria: you are travelling with a child between 2 and 12 years old, and/or you are a passenger with special needs or you are accompanying such a passenger. The Lufthansa Group will ensure you get a complimentary seat next to one another at check in.

If a customer is switched to another seat category by SWISS for operational reasons, the customer will get their money back. If a customer is moved because they do not fulfil the ​conditions required in an emergency exit row seat, they will not be entitled to their money back.

An advance seat reservation is only valid for the originally booked flight. After changing your flight (same route), you have to rebook your advance seat reservation on the new flight via the ​Service Centre. If you change your route, the purchased seat reservation lapses.