• How can I change my seat assignment after online checkin?

Seat assignments generally cannot be changed online or by phone after online checkin. There is a workaround, in which a phone agent ‘unchecks in’ the passenger, allowing the passenger to complete online seat reselection and re-check in for the flight, however, agents may be reluctant to do so. In contrast, seat assignments can be changed after checkin by using a self-service kiosk or by any agent at the airport.

Because standby priority is determined, in part, by checkin time, passengers must balance this benefit of checking in as early as possible (24 hours before the departure of the first flight in an itinerary) with the risk that a better seat may become available closer to departure time as, for example, elite passengers are upgraded. Passengers awaiting upgrades should also note that they will be unable to change their automatically assigned seat online if the upgrade clears after online checkin.

FT: Change seat assignment after online checkin (consolidated)