How to Choose Seats on Singapore Airlines | Everything you need to know

When you fly, your seat can make a big difference to your comfort, whether you’re on a short hop or a long-haul journey. With Singapore Airlines, choosing your seat is a thoughtful process that varies by class, fare type, status, and timing.

Here are a few striking facts:

• If you travel in Suites, First Class, or Business Class, seat selection is complimentary at any time.

• Passengers in Premium Economy enjoy complimentary standard seat selection (although extra-legroom options may incur a fee).

• At T-48 hours (i.e., 48 hours before departure), Singapore Airlines opens online check-in, and at that moment, many remaining seats can be selected for free (within your cabin).

What Is Seat Selection for Singapore Airlines?

Seat selection refers to choosing your desired seat in the airplane cabin, like a window seat, an aisle seat, or an extra legroom seat. With Singapore Airlines, how and when you can select a seat depends on your ticket type and travel class.

Suites, First Class, and Business Class:

If you buy a higher-class ticket, seat selection is free, and you can choose your seat anytime after booking.

Premium Economy Class:

You can choose Standard Seats for free in advance, but if you want Extra Legroom Seats, you may pay a fee.

Economy Class:

Seat selection depends on your fare type (Lite, Standard, Flexi, and official fare types only). Some fares allow free seat selection in advance, while others may charge a small fee.

During Online Check-In:

Even if you didn’t select a seat earlier, you can choose when online check-in begins (48 hours before departure), as many remaining seats in your cabin become available for free selection.

Thus, seat selection for Singapore Airlines depends on your ticket type and when you choose your seat. Booking earlier may give you better seat options.

Also read Singapore Airlines Flights Change Policy 

Singapore Airlines Advance Seat Selection (When You Book)

What Advance Seat Selection Means:

Advance seat selection means choosing your seat at the time of booking or anytime before check-in opens. Singapore Airlines allows passengers to choose seats in advance, but whether it’s free or paid depends on several things:

• Your travel class (Economy, Premium Economy, Business, etc.)

• Your fare type (Lite, Standard, Flexi).

• Your KrisFlyer or PPS membership status.

Who Gets it Free, and Who Pays:

Suites, First, and Business class: complimentary anytime.

Premium Economy: free for standard seats. While Extra Legroom seats may incur a fee.

Economy:

• For Flexi fares, Forward Zone and Standard zone seats may be free.

• For Standard or Value fares, standard seats may be free, but Forward Zone or Extra Legroom seats often come with a fee.

• For Lite fares, most seats require a charge if chosen early.

Also, KrisFlyer Elite or PPS members often get complimentary or discounted advance seat selection privileges, even for fare types that otherwise charge.

How to Select Your Seat in Advance:

You can choose your seat:

• While booking your ticket on the Singapore Airlines website or mobile app.

• After booking, you can select from the Manage Booking option.

• The system will show you seat options and any fees before you confirm.

• The cost (if any) will be shown during booking or in the seat selection interface.

Planning a premium journey? Read our detailed guide on Singapore Airlines Business Class to explore seat features, lounges, and exclusive benefits.

Singapore Airlines Online Seat Selection (During Check-in)

Even if you don’t pick a seat in advance, Singapore Airlines gives you a second chance via online seat selection when online check-in opens.

When does online check-in start?

• Online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight.

• At this time, you can view the seat map and choose from the seats still available in your booked cabin.

Note:

During online check-in, many seat selection fees are removed. This means you can often choose remaining seats for free, depending on your cabin class and seat availability.

Caveats and Things to Remember:

• Popular seats go fast; seats like Extra Legroom or Forward Zone may be taken quickly. So it’s best to check in right when it opens at 48 hours.

• On some flights, once online check-in opens, modifying a seat becomes disabled in the interface. Then you'd need to call SIA or use their chat support to request a change.

• On rare occasions, due to aircraft change or operational reasons, your selected seat might have to be reassigned; in such cases, SIA may refund your paid seat selection fee if it can’t offer an equivalent seat.

Thus, the Singapore Airlines online seat selection provides flexibility, especially when advance selection doesn’t suit you.

Singapore Airlines Seat Selection After Booking (Changing or Adding Later)

Sometimes you realize later that you would like to change your seat, or you skipped choosing earlier. Here’s what you should know about the Singapore Airlines seat selection after booking.

How to do it: Manage Booking

• Go to the official website or app.

• Click on ‘Manage Booking’.

• Enter your booking reference and last name.

• From there, you can select or change your seat.

If you are still outside the 48-hour window, a seat change may involve paying a fee (if that fare class requires).

If the flight has changed aircraft, the selected seat may no longer exist. In that case, Singapore Airlines may offer a similar seat or refund your seat fee if they cannot.

After online check-in opens

Once online check-in has opened (i.e., 48 hours before departure), the system may lock seat changes online. But you still have options:

• You may still be able to change via SIA’s customer service, live chat, or calls, if alternate seats are free.

• Some users have reported that, after they were auto-assigned seats before check-in, they later gained the ability to move once check-in opened. Others found they were locked into the pre-assigned choice.

• If your booking includes infants or children, special rules may allow seat changes or complimentary upgrades in certain zones.

In short, the Singapore Airlines seat selection after booking is feasible, but earlier is safer and more certain.

Also read 24 hours Singapore Airlines Cancellation Guide

Tips to Maximize Your Seat Choice

1. Know your fare type: Before booking, check whether your fare includes free seat selection or if you'd need to pay extra.

2. Use membership perks: If you're a KrisFlyer Elite or PPS Club member, enjoy free or discounted advance seat selection.

3. Plan your timing: In case you missed selecting a seat earlier, do it immediately as the online check-in opens 48 hours before departure and get a good seat for free.  

4. Be ready to act: Popular seats disappear fast, so log in as soon as check-in opens.

5. Contact support if needed: If the website refuses changes, a live agent or chat may still help you reposition.

6. Watch for aircraft changes: If Singapore Airlines changes the aircraft, your seat may change too. Check again, you might get a refund if a seat you paid for is no longer available.

FAQs about Singapore Airlines seat selection

Q.1: Is seat selection free on Singapore Airlines?

• It depends on your fare type and cabin class. Premium cabins are free, but some Economy fares may require a fee.

Q.2: When can I use Singapore Airlines' online seat selection?

• Online seat selection becomes available when online check-in opens, which is 48 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.

Q.3: What if I skip seat selection during booking?

• You can still select a seat later through Manage Booking or during the online check-in window (T-48). Just be aware that some premium seats might be gone by then.

Q.4: Can I change my seat after check-in begins?

• Often, the seat change option is locked once check-in is open. But you may still request a change via customer service or chat, if there is availability.

Q.5: What happens if the airline changes the aircraft?

• If your chosen seat is no longer available, Singapore Airlines will try to allocate a similar seat or refund your paid selection if it cannot provide an equivalent.

Q.6: Have seat selection fees changed recently?

• Yes, from July 2024, Singapore Airlines increased seat selection fees in many cases (Economy & Premium Economy), sometimes by up to 75 %.

Q.7: What are Forward Zone seats?

• These are seats near the front of Economy Class for faster boarding and exit. They may cost extra on some fares.

Conclusion

Seat selection for Singapore Airlines gives you the freedom to travel the way you like. Whether you want a window seat, aisle seat, or extra legroom, the airline offers several flexible options. You can choose your seat early through the Singapore Airlines advance seat selection while booking, or select it later using the Manage Booking feature. If you prefer to wait, Singapore Airlines online seat selection opens 48 hours before departure and often offers free choices from the remaining seats. Even if you change your mind later, Singapore Airlines seat selection after booking is still possible, depending on availability.

Don’t wait, and lock in the best fares and best seats now. Book your Singapore Airlines flight today with Flightsquest and enjoy a smooth, hassle-free booking experience, 24/7 support, and the lowest ticket prices guaranteed.