Other European Frequent Flyer Programs - Airlines assigning seats at check-in.

I'm traveling to Europe this summer. My itinerary includes two intra-europe flights (one on SN Brussels, one on Air France) and states that seats will be assigned at airport check-in. Both my flights are first thing in the morning. Does this really mean that all passengers on a 7:00 AM flight must claim seats on the day of departure?

Seats will be assigned automatically by the system. If you don't like your assigned seat, and you're there early enough, the check-in agent may be able to change it for you. If you're among the last to check in then you're stuck with what the system has pre-assigned.

Any idea when this usually occurs?

Any idea when this usually occurs?

No hard and fast rules, but generally within 24 hours of the flight, once they've finalised things like equipment and where the moving curtain between Business and Economy is going to go.

If the airline has online check-in then you will normally be able to change your preassigned seat online at whatever time online check-in opens - which again is different for different airlines. I've seen anything from 12 to 30 hours.

If you are flying business on SN, you can have a seat number reserved when you make your reservation.

if you're flying on an AirFrance e-ticket, you can use the online checkin on airfrance.com, print your boarding pass at home and get a good seat.