Back in the old days, comfortable airline seats came free with your fare. Now you have to pay extra for them. Here's what's on offer.
|
Airline |
What's it called? |
Cost |
What you get |
Refundable? |
Who gets automatic upgrades? |
Available on all flights? |
Where/when to purchase |
|
|
American |
Per flight segment, varies with route and length of flight |
Seating in "first few rows" of economy and Group 1 (i.e., early) boarding |
Yes |
Active duty military and their family members traveling on the same reservation, customers traveling on a Y or B fare |
All travelers on flights operated and marketed by American Airlines and American Eagle |
Only at self service check in machines, 50 mins. to 24 hrs. before flight |
||
|
Delta |
Cost varies with route and length of flight. Gold Medallions and their travel companions will receive a 50 percent discount; and Silver Medallions and their travel companions will receive a 25 percent discount, respectively from the published one-way fee. |
4 inches extra legroom, priority boarding; free adult beverages |
Yes |
Diamond and Platinum Medallion members and those with Y, B, and M class fares. |
Long haul international flights only |
At time of purchase of economy fare or at online check in. |
||
|
Frontier |
From $15 each way, each segmen |
Up to 5 inches of extra legroom, plus exit row seating |
Yes |
Free for those purchasing "Classic Plus" fares |
All flights |
At time of purchase or check in, online, by phone or at airport |
||
|
JetBlue |
Varies by length of flight (typically $10-$80 per flight) |
Up to 36 inches of legroom, early boarding, priority TSA lines at some airports |
Yes, unless you're a no-show |
None |
All flights |
At time of purchase online or by phone |
||
|
Spirit |
Varies by length of flight and route |
2 by 2 seating in first few rows, extra legroom, early boarding |
Yes |
None |
All flights |
At time of purchase |
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|
United |
Varies by length of flight, route; annual option from $425 (from $499 effective Jan 2012) |
Up to 5 inches extra legroom, seats at front of economy class |
Yes |
Mileage Plus elite members and Continental OnePass elite members qualify for complimentary Economy Plus seating on every flight with an Economy Plus section. |
All mainline jets plus many regional jets worldwide |
At time of purchase or at check in by kiosk or with agent |
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|
US Airways |
Varies by length of flight and route |
|
Under some circumstances but not if you change or cancel flights |
"Preferred" frequent flyers |
Except US Airways Shuttle |
At time of purchase up until check in by phone, in person, or kiosk |
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|
Virgin America |
Varies by length of flight and route; cheaper upgrades available 6 hours before flight |
Exit row and bulk head seats with extra legroom; free food, drinks, in flight entertainment |
Yes under some circumstances |
None |
All flights |
At time of purchase by phone, online or in person; up until time of check in. |
