Jun 11, 2017, 8:32 am
Last edit by: garkman
Can Seats Be Preassigned?
If your flight is marketed as AA, but on JL metal (i.e. "AA 8499 Operated by Japan Airlines"), the following apply based upon the fare code or booking code for your flight segments:
If your flight is marketed as AA, but on JL metal (i.e. "AA 8499 Operated by Japan Airlines"), the following apply based upon the fare code or booking code for your flight segments:
N - Seats may only be selected at checkin/airport
O - Seats may only be selected at checkin/airport (Confirmed with AA 6/11/17)
Others - Probably can preassign, but please modify this wiki if not
AA Award tickets on JL metal - DO allow seat assignments.
**When inputting a flight number that is a single digit (such as flight 1 from HND-SFO), you must add a leading '0' (zero) when looking up your flight. Failure to do this will result in an error that they can't find your PNR.
If you try to call AA on these fares and select seats, even as an EXP, the agent will be unable to view the seatmap and select seats for you. Your reservation will simply display "--" as the seat selection. Oftentimes these codeshare tickets do not allow JL checkin at T-72 hours, so you may not be able to actually get seats until the airport. You can try online checkin with JL here: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inter/boarding/quic/
You may find more information here:
Flights from US to Japan
Flights from US to Other Asian Destinations
==========
Info added on 15th Sept. 2019. As a one world Sapphire, you can select the following business class window seats
From row 5 on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes rows 1-4 window seats)
From main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin)
As a non-status passenger (or Ruby member), you can only select the following business class window seats
From second row onward of second cabin on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes all of the forward cabin window seats and first/exit row of main cabin)
From second row onward of main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin and first/exit row of main cabin)
As a OWE, you have unlimited access.
Info added on 15th Sept. 2019. As a one world Sapphire, you can select the following business class window seats
From row 5 on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes rows 1-4 window seats)
From main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin)
As a non-status passenger (or Ruby member), you can only select the following business class window seats
From second row onward of second cabin on the 767, 787 and 772 (excludes all of the forward cabin window seats and first/exit row of main cabin)
From second row onward of main cabin on the 777W (excludes whole of mini cabin and first/exit row of main cabin)
As a OWE, you have unlimited access.
==========
Which Booking Code Am I In?
If you have not viewed your fare at booking, you can follow the below steps to check your booking code:
Which Booking Code Am I In?
If you have not viewed your fare at booking, you can follow the below steps to check your booking code:
- Visit AA.com and open your itinerary
- Visit the URL https://www.aa.com/reservation/print...raryReceipt.do
- Your booking code should appear for each flight
Selecting seats on JAL when booked as AA codeshare
Oct 19, 2012, 11:47 pm
#31
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,382
You might be able to get a more definite answer on the AA forum. But I believe so. At least AA should be able to assign you a seat.
, am i going to be able to select seats in advance for the NRT-BOS leg if i get my JAL PNR?
Oct 20, 2012, 4:47 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BUE
Programs: AA GLD, UA, AR
Posts: 50
Oct 20, 2012, 6:11 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: From and of Boston.
Posts: 4,973
Get your JL PNR from AA, then select your seats online using the JL web site. (This works fine for J seats; I'd assume, but can't be certain, that it also works for Y.)
Oct 22, 2012, 7:28 am
#34
Ambassador: Finnair Plus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Discoverist, Priority Club Plat Amb, Miles and Smiles Elite
Posts: 5,282
I am flying AA 5907 (aka JL65, SAN-NRT) on January 7, 2013. Just got off the phone with AA CSR, was able to select seat with no problem. In the beginning she was not sure if it would work, but it did. 
Dec 11, 2012, 6:29 pm
#36
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,382
Just ticketed a AA codeshare operated by JL ticket for family and when login to JAL website using JL PNR, I could only see the first flight operated by CX 
It's not showing the other 6 flights including one operated by JL. Oh well
It's not showing the other 6 flights including one operated by JL. Oh well
Dec 11, 2012, 9:19 pm
#37
Moderator, All Nippon Airways and Japan
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH SFC (*G), JL JGP (OWE), AS MVP, WOH E, IHG SE
Posts: 3,908
Hmm, that's not very nice. Are you logging in through the same regional site from where you bought the ticket (I assume North America)? Have you tried the Japan site?
Dec 11, 2012, 10:04 pm
#38
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,382
But I can't do seat selection on the Japan site as usual because I didn't book in Japan. It refers me to the regional site which does not display the JAL flight
I have tried both HKG and US sites and got the same results unfortunately...
Jan 6, 2013, 1:15 am
#39
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 6
JL/AA codeshare... Seat assignment
I bought an one way ticket from HKG-LAX (1-stop in NRT) in economy class departing on Jan 8. The HKG-NRT leg uses JL flight number while NRT-LAX uses AA flight number (codeshare). I am a PLT with AA and wanted to earn more AA miles.
I have JL record locator and an AA record locator for the itinerary. I was able to pick seat on JAL's website for the HKG-NRT using the JL record locator, but it doesn't let me do the same for the NRT-LAX segment with both record locators. I can, however, pull the entire itinerary out (HKG-LAX) on JAL's website.
I called to both JAL and AA trying to get a seat on the long haul flight. AA rep tells me they don't have a separate JL record locator for me, they are unable to submit the seat request without charging me US$25; JAL rep tells me I will not be able to select a seat by calling anyone, on JAL or AA website, and through my agent. I cannot do online check in for the NRT-LAX leg either (I am already checked in for HKG-NRT). My only option is to check in at airport on Jan 8 and wish I have enough luck to not get a seat in the middle... The flight seems to be really full.
This is frustrating... Wondering if anyone has experienced this before? And do I have any other ways?
Definitely don't want to get stuck in the middle seat or pay more $ or miles to move higher. Thanks a lot!
I have JL record locator and an AA record locator for the itinerary. I was able to pick seat on JAL's website for the HKG-NRT using the JL record locator, but it doesn't let me do the same for the NRT-LAX segment with both record locators. I can, however, pull the entire itinerary out (HKG-LAX) on JAL's website.
I called to both JAL and AA trying to get a seat on the long haul flight. AA rep tells me they don't have a separate JL record locator for me, they are unable to submit the seat request without charging me US$25; JAL rep tells me I will not be able to select a seat by calling anyone, on JAL or AA website, and through my agent. I cannot do online check in for the NRT-LAX leg either (I am already checked in for HKG-NRT). My only option is to check in at airport on Jan 8 and wish I have enough luck to not get a seat in the middle... The flight seems to be really full.
This is frustrating... Wondering if anyone has experienced this before? And do I have any other ways?
Definitely don't want to get stuck in the middle seat or pay more $ or miles to move higher. Thanks a lot!
Jan 7, 2013, 8:07 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Yes, its difficult to do seat selection on AA codeshare. You can only request a seat with AA and not JL as the inventory is with AA. There is no JL record locator as its not a JL booking but an AA one. JL will only 'know' of your existence 24 hours before flight when AA hands in their reservations to JL.
Why did not not book the entire reservation with AA.. ie from HKG to NRT as well? You may not get 100% miles with JL ..
I take it that you did not book the reservation with aa and therefore the agents want to charge you for the 'service'.. which should be free IMO. Try calling another agent and just give the AA PNR and do your seat selection again. Or else request aisle/window with the agency. If you booked through a travel agent, they can do it of course.
Currently from what I can from the seat map, there are only middles seats available. You might have better luck at HKG airport.
Why did not not book the entire reservation with AA.. ie from HKG to NRT as well? You may not get 100% miles with JL ..
I take it that you did not book the reservation with aa and therefore the agents want to charge you for the 'service'.. which should be free IMO. Try calling another agent and just give the AA PNR and do your seat selection again. Or else request aisle/window with the agency. If you booked through a travel agent, they can do it of course.
Currently from what I can from the seat map, there are only middles seats available. You might have better luck at HKG airport.
Last edited by Guy Betsy; Jan 7, 2013 at 8:33 am
Jan 7, 2013, 8:45 am
#41
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,382
Yes, its difficult to do seat selection on AA codeshare. You can only request a seat with AA and not JL as the inventory is with AA. There is no JL record locator as its not a JL booking but an AA one. JL will only 'know' of your existence 24 hours before flight when AA hands in their reservations to JL.
Jan 7, 2013, 9:52 am
#42
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 321
When I booked JAL through AA, I was able to select seats by phone with AA, but JAL had no record of any of them. I was still able to get aisles on all but one however. This was some time ago, and I don't think JAL even had online checkin yet. But I found that out of NRT, many local passengers did not book seats in advance and most were assigned at the airport. So upon checkin at HKG, you may have some luck.
Jan 7, 2013, 5:52 pm
#43
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AAdvantage, Mileage Plus
Posts: 45
I have booked JL seats as well through AA. I called AA to get the JL record locater, and went onto the JAL website to pick my seats. The seat assignments were confirmed. Try again?
Jan 10, 2013, 12:33 am
#44
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Programs: ANA Miledge club, JAL Miledge bank, Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 223
Ah too late.
I had the same problem. I was holding an AA ticked for codeshare flight using JAL metal, and was not able to assign seat.
If you can see reservation on AA site, chances are you will be able to check in online. You have to initiate check in process on AA site and it will rediret you to JAL. You can do it 3 days in advance.
I had the same problem. I was holding an AA ticked for codeshare flight using JAL metal, and was not able to assign seat.
If you can see reservation on AA site, chances are you will be able to check in online. You have to initiate check in process on AA site and it will rediret you to JAL. You can do it 3 days in advance.
Jan 13, 2013, 1:31 am
#45
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,382
Ah too late.
I had the same problem. I was holding an AA ticked for codeshare flight using JAL metal, and was not able to assign seat.
If you can see reservation on AA site, chances are you will be able to check in online. You have to initiate check in process on AA site and it will rediret you to JAL. You can do it 3 days in advance.
I had the same problem. I was holding an AA ticked for codeshare flight using JAL metal, and was not able to assign seat.
If you can see reservation on AA site, chances are you will be able to check in online. You have to initiate check in process on AA site and it will rediret you to JAL. You can do it 3 days in advance.