Nikko5

Is it possible to select seats on EI during the online checkin process (including paying for preferred seats etc)?

Having made an Avios booking, the Manage my Booking page on the web-site doesn’t seem to work for seat selection. I tried calling on Thursday, Friday and Saturday but gave up after an hour on hold each time.

Also tried a WhatsApp message on Thursday which has just been responded to tonight(!) but says they can’t now allocate a seat as the flight departs within 72hrs from now.

alserire

An avios booking cannot be managed online. Seats must be organised over the phone.

I can’t help with your other query I’m afraid. Not sure what the procedure is at check in.

ROKNA

Avios tickets are entitled to free seat selection (no front row, exit row or first 6 rows in A320) this must be done by phone as the tickets were sold by Avios.

At check in, you will be randomly allocated seats, however everyone on the same reservation will be seated together where possible

mccartje

You should be able to select your seats at online check in for free for whatever is available from the normal seats.

BrianDromey

You will be able to select seats at OCLI. The selection when check-in opens can be quite generous, depending on the route and how many pre-selections are sold.

If you are an AerClub elite flying from DUB/ORK/SNN/LHR your seat will be pre-assigned by ground staff the night before. Unusually in the forward rows. This may extend to BA FF’s, but IIRC, it’s an Aer Club unpublished benefit.

Nikko5

Thanks all - some conflicting replies there, so will report back when I actually do OLCI.

I’ve only flown EI shorthaul before (on Avios/BA-issued tickets) and when doing OLCI, it has aways just allocated me a seat at OLCI without any option to change it. This week will be transatlantic, so not sure if the process is any different, we will see!

irishguy28

So it's usually in the back rows?

Nikko5

So sadly there is no option to select specific seats during the online check-in process. "These can't be changed online. Please click "Continue" to check in for your flight."

Will have to ask at the airport tomorrow if there are any window seats left on the transatlantic leg. Avios bookings really do seem to be the poor relation on Aer Lingus - I would have been happy to pay extra for a 'Preferred Seat' too, if only I had been given the option!

irishguy28

It's always advisable to ring Aer Lingus (I've always found it quicker or just as quick as trying to do it on social media) and ask for seat selection on any Avios booking.

Hope they have a seat to your liking tomorrow!

qmacker

I fly the DUB-SFO route fairly regularly. I have had a lot of issues with seat selection. Particularly annoying when you pick a fare that is supposed to allow you to choose a seat. I've found a few things booking online. This is paying cash, not using points:

1. Book a flight on the EI website. Chose a "Smart" fare which allows a seat selection. Choose seat. Pay. Everything is fine.

In my experience, that is the only scenario where you can choose a seat online.

2. If you subsequently need to change the flight, you ***may*** be able do do it online (sometimes you can't though) but you will NOT be able to choose a seat on the changed flights.
3. Additionally, after that change (online) you will not be able to modify the flight again online. You will have to call an agent and potentially wait for hours on hold.
4. Also, if you call an agent at ANY stage in the process and they "touch" the reservation, they now "own" it, and you will not be able to do jack **** with it after that online.

My understanding is that behind the nice green, but poorly functional website, there is an horrific 1990s (maybe 1980s) internal IT system.

It makes me sad. I use the DUB-SFO flight for the non-stop convenience. Other than that, I have zero loyalty, because I've been frustrated by this nonsense too many times. I wish it were otherwise. Maybe United will eventually resurrect their plans for this route, and that will force EI to change (not likely).

irishguy28

Re 4: if you've made the booking with Aer Lingus, they already own it. And if you make it with a third party, you already can't do anything with it online (only reservations made directly with EI can be "handled" online).

Oh, it's much older than that!

ASTRAL dates from 1968!

https://techarchives.irish/irelands-...david-kennedy/
https://travelupdate.com/aer-lingus-...ions-computer/