Booked a flight but not assigned a seat?

Question

I booked a flight for an interview through the company's travel agent that I booked the reservation through that I had to use in order to have them pay for it.  I was booked on one flight but was not assigned a seat number,  How much of a problem do you think this can be?  Note I am flying out the afternoon before the interview is to happen.  I usually use my travel agent who has the right contacts that would get me into a seat, so I have never had this issue before.  But, I could not use my agent in this case since I was not paying for the flight myself for an interview.  I called the airline (Delta) and the representative claimed it would not be a problem despite my argument of overbooking, etc, and the representative claimed that there were 9 seats or so open, that could not be released till one arrived at the airport since they were reserved for potential infants, disabled, or what not.  Is this a true statement or just BS?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

When you get to the airport they will assign you a seat. This happens a lot. stay calm. You will get to your destination. My personal advice, get to the airport early so you have first pick of the seat you want.

theSebster · Answer

You will be fine. Even though some airlines let passengers pre-select their seats, the actual seat allocation does not happen until about 24 hours before the flight. This means that those who selected a seat at the time of booking merely indicated a seat preference, and that those seats are not guaranteed until the person checks in. (This is because the person can be a no0show, or there can be a change of aircraft, etc)

If you bought a ticket for a specific flight, then the airline will have a seat for you on that flight. Overbookings are common, but only to the extent that the airline thinks that there will be enough no-shows to make up for it. In the unlikely event that they need to bump someone, they will usually begin by offering incentives in form of upgrades or cash to someone who is willing to take a later flight. It is rare that the airline actually bumps someone against their will. Even when they do, it is usually often the person who paid the least for his/her ticket, and always a person who is travelling alone AND does not have any connecting flights.

shoredude2 · Answer

Check into the flight via the airline's website 24 hours prior to the flight.  At that point you will be assigned a seat.  And those who check-in first are less likely to be bumped.

Actually most airlines now charge a fee to assign a seat at booking.  I've never had it be a problem.

Anonymous · Answer

You will be fine. Delta will have assigned a seat to you even though they are not telling you. Either check in online 24 hours before the flight or get to the airport really early, as soon as the check in opens and then there is no chance you will be bumped.

Neil · Answer

Your agent has contacts? Seriously?

This is pretty normal. Most airlines stop assigning seats (entirely, or except for elite frequent flyers) when a certain percentage of seats are assigned and/or hold certain more desirable seats for assignment to elite frequent flyers only, until shortly before departure.

Anonymous · Answer

It relies upon on the airline. some low-cost airlines don't have assigned seating in any respect. additionally, while you're reserving final minute and the plane is almost complete, you won't have the skill to decide for seats. in any different case, even with the incontrovertible fact that, airlines will the two team human beings buying tickets mutually in one section, or definitely enable you choose for a seat from a diagram.

Ray · Answer

It's not a problem at all. You can go online and assign your own seat. Just use your ticket number to do so. If not, wait until you get to the airport. But, your seating choices will be very limited.

Mrsjvb · Answer

you will get your seat when you check in.   happens all the time.

Booked a flight but not assigned a seat?

8 Answers