Lufthansa Seat Selection: How to Choose Seats, Fees & Upgrade Options (2026)

Quick Answer

Most Lufthansa passengers can choose their seat before departure, but whether it’s free depends on the fare they’ve booked. Business Class, First Class, Flex fares, and some Miles & More members generally receive complimentary seat selection. Lower Economy fares may require you to pay for advance seat selection, especially if you want a preferred or extra legroom seat.

If you don’t reserve a seat in advance, Lufthansa will usually assign one automatically during online check-in. Seat selection fees, upgrade options, and availability can vary by route, aircraft, travel date, and fare type, so it’s always best to review your booking before you fly.

Lufthansa Seat Selection at a Glance

Seat Type	Usually Free?	Best For
Standard Seat	Included on some fares	Everyday travel
Preferred Seat	Usually paid	Sitting closer to the front
Extra Legroom Seat	Usually paid	Taller travellers and long flights
Premium Economy Seat	Depends on fare	Extra comfort on long journeys
Business Class Seat	Usually included	Premium travel experience
First Class Seat	Included	Maximum comfort and privacy

How Does Lufthansa Seat Selection Work?

You can choose your seat while booking, after booking, or during online check-in. Whether you pay depends on your fare and the type of seat you want.

Lufthansa gives passengers three opportunities to reserve a seat:

• During the booking process.
• Later through My Bookings on the Lufthansa website or mobile app.
• During online check-in, which usually opens around 23 hours before departure.

If you decide not to choose a seat, Lufthansa will normally assign one automatically before your flight. This option works well if you don’t mind where you sit, but you may receive a middle seat or be seated away from your travel companions on busy flights.

Which Lufthansa Fares Include Free Seat Selection?

Free seat selection is mainly available on premium fares, while lower Economy fares often require payment for advance seat reservation.

The exact rules depend on the fare you’ve purchased rather than simply your cabin class.

Fare Type	Advance Standard Seat Selection
Economy Light	Usually paid
Economy Classic	May be paid depending on route
Economy Flex	Included
Premium Economy	Depends on fare
Premium Economy Flex	Included
Business Class	Included
First Class	Included

Some Miles & More elite members may also receive complimentary seat selection as part of their membership benefits.

Because Lufthansa updates fare benefits from time to time, it’s always worth checking the seat options shown in My Bookings before paying for a seat.

If you’re also planning to check luggage, read our Lufthansa Baggage Fees Guide to understand what baggage is included with your fare.

Lufthansa Seat Selection Fee

Lufthansa does not have one fixed seat selection fee. The price depends on several factors, including your route, fare, aircraft, travel date, and the seat you choose.

Generally:

• Standard seats cost less than preferred seats.
• Preferred seats usually cost less than extra legroom seats.
• Long-haul international flights are typically more expensive than short European flights.
• Prices may increase as the departure date gets closer if seat availability becomes limited.

Instead of relying on published fee lists, it’s best to check the live seat map in your booking. The exact price will be shown before you confirm your selection.

What Seat Types Can You Choose?

Lufthansa offers several seating options to suit different budgets and travel needs.

Standard Seats

These are the regular Economy seats found throughout the cabin.

They’re a good choice if:

• you’re travelling on a short flight,
• you don’t have a seating preference,
• or you’re trying to keep your travel costs low.

Depending on your fare, these seats may be included or available for an additional fee.

Preferred Seats

Preferred seats are located closer to the front of the Economy cabin.

They don’t provide extra legroom, but they can help you:

• leave the aircraft sooner,
• reach immigration earlier,
• and make tight flight connections more comfortably.

Preferred seats are popular with business travellers and passengers with short layovers.

Extra Legroom Seats

Extra legroom seats provide more space to stretch your legs than a standard Economy seat.

They’re usually found:

• near emergency exits,
• or in bulkhead rows.

These seats are especially useful for:

• taller passengers,
• overnight flights,
• and journeys lasting several hours.

Keep in mind that emergency exit seats have safety requirements. Passengers must be able to assist the crew during an emergency, so these seats aren’t available to everyone.

Premium Economy Seats

Premium Economy offers noticeably more comfort than standard Economy.

Passengers usually benefit from:

• wider seats,
• additional legroom,
• greater recline,
• and a quieter cabin.

For long-haul flights, many travellers find Premium Economy offers a good balance between comfort and price.

Business Class Seats

Business Class provides Lufthansa’s premium seating experience.

Depending on the aircraft, you may enjoy:

• fully flat beds on long-haul routes,
• direct aisle access on many aircraft,
• additional privacy,
• priority boarding,
• and premium onboard services.

Business Class seat selection is generally included with eligible fares, although some specialised seat options may have different rules depending on your booking.

Can You Choose Your Seat After Booking?

Yes. You don’t have to choose your seat when buying your ticket.

If you’ve already booked your flight, you can return to your reservation through My Bookings to:

• reserve a seat,
• change your current seat,
• purchase a preferred or extra legroom seat,
• or view the aircraft seat map.

Seat availability changes as other passengers make their selections, so checking your booking regularly may give you more options before departure.

Can You Change Your Seat After Booking?

Yes. Lufthansa allows you to change your seat before departure, provided another seat is available.

You can manage your seat through My Bookings or the Lufthansa mobile app. If you’re moving to a seat that costs more than your current one, you’ll need to pay the difference. If you switch to a lower-priced seat, refund rules depend on your ticket conditions.

Recent policy updates also mean that passengers on some Economy fares may need to pay if they want to change an automatically assigned seat after online check-in. Always review the seat options shown in your booking before making changes.

What Happens If You Don’t Choose a Seat?

If you skip advance seat selection, Lufthansa will assign a seat automatically during online check-in.

For many travellers, this is a perfectly good option if they don’t mind where they sit. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• You may be assigned a middle seat.
• Families or groups may not always be seated together.
• Preferred or extra legroom seats are unlikely to be assigned free of charge.
• Seat choices become more limited as the flight fills up.

If sitting together or having extra space is important, it’s worth reserving your seat before check-in.

Can You Upgrade Your Seat?

Yes. Lufthansa offers several ways to upgrade, but availability depends on your flight and fare.

You may be able to upgrade:

• during booking,
• after booking through My Bookings,
• during online check-in,
• or at the airport before departure.

Upgrade options may include:

Paid Upgrade

Lufthansa sometimes offers discounted upgrades before departure. These can be a good value on long-haul flights if premium seats are still available.

Miles & More Upgrade

If you’re a Miles & More member, you may be able to use your miles to upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business Class, depending on your ticket and seat availability.

Airport Upgrade

Some airports offer last-minute upgrade opportunities on the day of departure. These aren’t guaranteed and depend entirely on available seats.

Business Class upgrades are often best value on overnight or long-haul flights, where the extra comfort makes the biggest difference.

Before upgrading, check our Lufthansa Carry-On Rules to understand how cabin baggage allowances change between travel classes.

Which Lufthansa Seat Is Best?

The best seat depends on what matters most to you—comfort, legroom, quick boarding, or saving money.

If you want…	Best Seat Choice
Lowest travel cost	Standard seat
Faster exit after landing	Preferred seat
More legroom	Extra legroom seat
Better comfort on long flights	Premium Economy
Maximum comfort	Business Class
Better views	Window seat
Easy access to the aisle	Aisle seat

There’s no single “best” seat for every traveller. For a one-hour European flight, paying extra may not make much difference. On a 10-hour international journey, extra legroom or Premium Economy can significantly improve your experience.

Can Families Sit Together?

Lufthansa tries to seat children with an accompanying adult, but choosing seats early gives you the best chance of sitting together.

If you’re travelling as a family:

• Book everyone on the same reservation.
• Reserve seats as early as possible.
• Don’t wait until check-in if sitting together is important.

Although Lufthansa aims to keep young children next to an accompanying adult, this depends on seat availability and shouldn’t be relied on for larger groups.

What Happens if Lufthansa Changes Your Aircraft?

If your aircraft changes, your original seat may also change.

Aircraft swaps sometimes happen because of operational requirements.

If this happens, Lufthansa will usually:

• assign a comparable seat,
• try to keep passengers travelling together,
• and notify you through your booking if changes are made.

If you’ve paid for a specific seat that can no longer be provided, refund eligibility depends on Lufthansa’s current policy and the circumstances of the change.

Real Travel Situations

If you’re taking a short trip around Europe

Flying for just a couple of hours and don’t mind where you sit? It may not be worth paying for advance seat selection. Letting Lufthansa assign your seat during online check-in can help you save money.

If extra legroom matters to you

For taller travellers or anyone taking a longer flight, paying for an extra legroom seat can make the journey much more comfortable. It’s especially worth considering on overnight or long-haul routes.

If you’re travelling as a family

If sitting together is important, reserve your seats as early as you can. Although Lufthansa tries to seat young children next to an accompanying adult, choosing seats in advance gives your family the best chance of staying together.

If you’re flying long distance

On flights lasting several hours, Premium Economy often offers better overall value than simply paying for an extra legroom seat. Along with more space, you’ll usually enjoy a wider seat and additional comfort throughout the journey.

Tips to Avoid Paying for Lufthansa Seat Selection

You don’t always need to pay to get a good seat. These simple tips can help you save money:

• Check what your fare already includes before purchasing a seat.
• If you don’t have a seating preference, wait for the automatic seat assignment during online check-in.
• Compare the cost of seat selection with upgrading your fare, especially on long-haul flights.
• Book early if you’re travelling with family or a group.
• If you’re a Miles & More member, review your membership benefits before paying for seat selection.
• Check your aircraft’s seat map early, as popular seats sell out first.

Common Seat Selection Mistakes

Many travellers pay more than they need to because they misunderstand Lufthansa’s seating policy.

Avoid these common mistakes:

• Assuming every fare includes free seat selection.
• Waiting until the last minute if you want to sit with friends or family.
• Paying for extra legroom on a very short flight where the benefit may be minimal.
• Forgetting to check whether your fare already includes seat selection.
• Choosing a preferred seat without looking at the aircraft layout first.
• Assuming the same seating rules apply if part of your journey is operated by another airline.

Before You Fly

Before heading to the airport, take a few minutes to review your booking.

✔ Check whether your fare includes seat selection.

✔ Review the seat map for available options.

✔ Compare the cost of seat selection with a possible cabin upgrade.

✔ Confirm your aircraft type if having a particular seat is important.

✔ Download your boarding pass after completing online check-in.

✔ If you’re travelling with cabin baggage only, review our Lufthansa Carry-On Rules before packing.

Key Takeaways

• Lufthansa seat selection may be free or paid depending on your fare and cabin class.
• Standard seats are often included on Flex and premium fares, while lower Economy fares may require payment.
• Preferred and extra legroom seats usually cost extra.
• Business Class and First Class generally include complimentary seat selection.
• You can choose or change your seat through My Bookings, subject to availability and fare conditions.
• If you don’t reserve a seat, Lufthansa will usually assign one during online check-in.
• Seat selection fees, upgrade offers, and seat availability vary by route, aircraft, and travel date.

Want to compare Lufthansa’s seating policy with other airlines? Visit our Airline Seat Selection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Flytripinfo.com provides independent travel information and is not affiliated with Lufthansa.

All information on this page is provided for general travel guidance only. Lufthansa’s seat selection policy, upgrade options, fare benefits, aircraft layouts, and seat availability may change without notice. Travelers should always verify the latest seat selection rules, applicable fees, and upgrade eligibility directly with Lufthansa before departure, especially for codeshare, partner-operated, or international flights.