Hi - I'm new here. This website has already been a great source of information. I'm hoping someone can help out with some updated info and advice, though.

We booked a trip from ORD-FCO and a return from MAD-ORD. I thought I'd be able to pick seats, but never saw an opportunity to do so before I booked.
Then the IB website told me that it was unable to allow me to pick seats on the outbound flight (the return flight I could do, for a fee).

Apparently the outbound flight is operated by AA -- can anyone give me any advice on how I might be able to get some seats prebooked? (it's an anniversary trip and my wife and I would like to sit together!)

There was some talk on Flyertalk about doing it through FinnAir, but that seems to be done. A lot of the talk about this was over a year ago. So, I'm hoping to get updates. Anyone have any new tactics or advice? They'd be much appreciated!