How Do You Choose Your Seats on Air Canada

We’ve all been there you check in for your flight, cross your fingers, and hope the seat you’re given isn’t a dreaded middle seat right next to the bathroom. If you’re flying with Air Canada, you have a good amount of control over where you sit. if you plan.

Air Canada seat selection is not that complicated, but it may slightly differ depending on the type of ticket you purchase. Here is how we are going to do it, so you do not find yourself elbow-to-elbow with strangers and could have had the best seat in the house.

Why Selecting Seat Matters More Than You Think

Yes, you are free to let the airline choose your seat. That is a gamble, though. In case you are tall, you may find yourself with your knees stuck on the seat in front of you all the time. You may be separated if you are traveling with a person. If you’re traveling with someone, you could be split up. And then there’s the bathroom row — trust me, you don’t want that unless you love the sound of the door opening every five minutes. A good seat isn’t just about comfort. It’s about peace of mind. You sit down, settle in, and don’t have to think about it again until you land.

How Seat Selection Works on Air Canada

Air Canada seat selection gives you a few different points where you can pick your seat:

• When you book your ticket – After you pick your flights, a seat map pops up. You can click the one you want right away.
• Later, through Manage My Booking, Maybe you weren’t ready to decide when you booked. You may log in again and make future decisions.
• During check-in – About 24 hours before departure, you can pick from whatever’s left (usually slim pickings if it’s a full flight).

The earlier you decide, the better your chances of getting your first choice.

Air Canada Basic Economy Seat Selection

If you’ve gone for an Air Canada Basic Economy seat, here’s the trade-off: you save money, but you give up a lot of flexibility.

Basic Economy seats are usually assigned to you during check-in. If you really want to pick a specific seat in advance, you can — but you’ll pay extra for it. On short domestic flights, that might be around CAD 10–$40, but on long-haul or international flights, it can climb much higher.

For short hops, you might take your chances. But for anything over a couple of hours? That’s a long time to sit somewhere you don’t want to be.

Air Canada Premium Economy Seat Selection

At the other end, you’ve got Air Canada Premium Economy seats  a whole different vibe.

These come with more space, better recline, and a dedicated cabin. If you buy Premium Economy, the good news is you usually get to choose your seat for free when you book. This implies that there are no additional fees to pay in order to sit where you prefer. It isn’t cheap, but when you are flying long distances and you appreciate comfort, it is usually worth it.

What is the cost of choosing seats on Air Canada

The price for Air Canada seat selection isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on:

• Your fare type – Basic Economy is the most expensive for picking seats, while higher fare classes may include it for free.
• The route: Longer flights typically cost more to select a seat. 
• The seat itself – Exit rows, bulkhead seats, and Preferred seats with extra legroom are nearly always more expensive.

A rough range looks like this:

• Domestic: CAD $10–$50
• International: CAD $20–$100+

How to Get the Best Seat Without Overpaying

Here’s what seasoned travelers tend to do:

• Book as early as you can – The seat map fills up fast.
• Check the layout – Sites like SeatGuru let you see which seats get good or bad reviews.
• Look for exit rows – Extra space, but sometimes fixed armrests.
• Skip the back row – It’s usually near the toilets and galley (read: noise and traffic).
• Use your Aeroplan status – Members often get free or discounted seat selection.

Do You Have to Pay to Choose Your Seat

It is just a matter of how much you care, honestly. When it is a short one-hour flight, you may simply roll the dice. But if you’re traveling for six or seven hours, paying a little extra can be worth every cent.

I’ve flown both ways — once I saved the money and ended up wedged between two armrest hogs on a red-eye, and another time I paid $30 for an aisle seat with loads of legroom. Guess which flight I enjoyed?

Conclusion

Picking your spot on the plane is one of those things that can make your whole travel day better. With Air Canada, the process is straightforward; you just need to know how it works for your fare type, especially if you’re in an Air Canada Basic Economy seat or treating yourself to an Air Canada Premium Economy seat.

When you are okay with what you receive, avoid the fee. However, should comfort, space, and peace of mind be important to you, book it in advance and secure it. A couple of dollars now will give you a couple of hours of pain tomorrow. Call us +1 855-510-4054 anytime. 

Read Also: Air Canada Group Travel