How do I Reserve a Seat on Cathay Pacific?

Probably one of the most memorable travel stories ever to be written is securing the ideal seat in your flight. The process of booking in Cathay Pacific is a very easy one to go through but it has some major differences based on where you want to be seated. It is so thrilling to have the option of either the window view with the endless vast field of clouds or the aisle seat with easy access with Cathay Pacific Reservations. It is a lot in your hands via their Manage Booking portal online. This peace of mind is usually included free of charge, and it is woven into the premium experience of individuals who fly in First, Business, and Premium Economy. Nevertheless, Economy passengers will discover that their seat reservation options are limited to what type of fare they have bought or depending on their membership to Cathay. In case you need an additional legroom seat or just wish to reserve your desired seat early, you may have to pay a small fee upon booking or post ticketing. This is an investment that is very low, and does not require you to take a gamble as to whether you can get the window or aisle seat that you long for.

Cathay Pacific Seat Reservation Fee

The cost to reserve a seat on Cathay Pacific Reservations varies significantly based on your cabin, the type of seat you want, and the fare class of your ticket. Since fees change based on the route and seat, the final amount will only be confirmed when you view the seat map for your specific booking.

• Premium Cabins: Advance seat selection in these cabins is typically complimentary (free of charge) at the time of booking.
• Economy Class: This is where fees often apply, depending on your fare type and the seat you select:
  • Extra Legroom Seats and Preferred Seats (closer to the front) will require a fee for all passengers who are not eligible for a free reservation (see next section). These fees are dynamic and are displayed during the booking process or in the Manage Booking section.
  • Regular Seats are free of charge for most passengers with an Essential or Flex fare, but passengers on the most restrictive Light fare must pay a fee for advance selection.

Can I reserve seats for free on Cathay Pacific?

Yes, free passenger reservation is offered to many passengers, in particular, when they are traveling in a premium cabin or when they represent some classes of passengers.

• When booking a flight in First, Business, or Premium Economy, a customer is given the option of picking any standard seat without incurring any fee.
• You are not charged for regular seats in case you bought an Essential or Flex Economy ticket. Cathay Gold and Diamond members, and their companions, oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, and passengers traveling together with a child or infant, are also free.
• Preferred Cathay Pacific Seat Reservations are complimentary in case you have bought an Economy Flex ticket, or you are a Cathay Diamond or Gold member.
• Extra Legroom Seats are free with an Economy Flex fare, or with a Diamond or Gold member of Cathay Pacific.
• Everyone is eligible to have any remaining Regular and Preferred seats at no charge when online check-in becomes available on your flight.

When can I select my Cathay seat?

The seat-picking time is based on whether you are paying for the seating or getting a free selection.

• Right after the Ticketing (Advance Selection): You are able to pick your seat immediately after your ticket is booked through the Manage Booking feature on the airline's website or app. In case there is a fee according to the kind of your fare, you will pay it at this time so that you can be sure that you are getting your desired spot early enough. There is no free selection on your fare, so you can select your seat right now.
• When Online Check-in Opens (Free Selection): When you do not want to pay a fee, you will be able to take any of the remaining Regular or Preferred seats at no charge when online check-in opens. Online check-in is available 48 hours before the scheduled departure time of the flight to the members of Cathay. Online check-in is available 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of the flight to non-members.

What is the Seat Selection Policy on Cathay Pacific?

Once you have made the Cathay Pacific Reservations, and did not like the seat assignment, then the airline lets you select the seat under their seat selection policy which is explained further:

• When you are in a premium cabin, First Class, Business Class, or Premium Economy, you can have free advance seat assignment as soon as your ticket is issued.
• When you make your booking, you can select a seat of your choice or at any later stage by using the Manage Booking feature.
• The free choice of the Economy Class is based on the tiered fare structure.
• Normal Seats will have a charge on the prior booking of normal window, middle or aisle seats.
• Whereas there has to be a fee to book in advance Preferred seats, Extra Legroom Seats.
• Failure to pay the fee will mean that when online check-in opens, you will be assigned a seat without any fee.
• At Economy Essential, the advance seats in the Regular category are free of charge during booking.
• However, in the case of the Preferred Seats and Extra Legroom Seats, advance reservation is said to be charged a fee.
• All Seats Economy Flex with advance selections are free to all types of seats as soon as they are booked.

Complimentary Eligibility for Frequent Flyers and Families

Whichever type of fare you travel with Cathay Pacific Seat Reservation Online, there are always passengers who can have free advance seat reservation:

• Free Regular Seats: This is offered to Cathay members who are Silver status or above, and One World members who are Ruby status or above. The passengers who are also booked with an infant or child are also provided with a free regular seat reservation so that the family can sit together.
• Free Premium Seats: Cathay members of Gold or Diamond status and oneworld members of Sapphire or Emerald status have the option of Preferred Seats and Extra Legroom Seats as free of charge.

When Free Selection Opens for Everyone

Should you choose not to pay an advance selection fee you can wait till the opening of online check-in, when all remaining Regular and Preferred seats will be free. In case you fail to choose a seat during check-in, the system will provide you with one without charge.

• Cathay members and oneworld members and their companions are able to check in and choose free seat 48 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight.
• The non-members are allowed to check-in and reserve a free seat 24 hours prior to the planned departure time of the flight.

How to select a seat with Cathay Pacific?

There are a number of ways in which you can make your Cathay Pacific Seat Reservations when making your flight reservation depending on what type of fare you have and the time you are requesting it. The simplest and most suggested one is via the web on the airline or the mobile application using the Manage Booking option. The chronological program of the various processes to choose a seat will be further discussed:

Online Through "Manage Booking" 

It is the simplest and quickest method of making your Cathay Pacific Seat Reservation Online once you have been informed about your ticket.

• Visit the official website of the airline or its mobile-based application.
• Click or tap on the section in Managing Booking or Managing Reservation.
• You will be required to key in your Last Name and your Booking Reference Number or your e-Ticket number.
• When your reservation has been accessed, you should find the button with the inscription of Seat or Reserve Your Seat in the booking summary.
• An airplane cabin map will be shown to you, indicating available seats to your flight segments.
• Next, you need to select the seat you prefer for the journey that is best for your comfort. 
• Go through the instructions given on the screen and pay the required seat charge. 
• You will receive the confirmation of your seat via email. 

During Online Check-in (Free Seat Option)

If you have an Economy fare that charges for advance seat selection (like Economy Light) and you prefer not to pay a fee, you can wait until check-in opens. At this time, all remaining Regular and Preferred seats become complimentary.

Check-in Window:

• 48 hours before departure for Cathay members and oneworld members.
• 24 hours before departure for all other passengers.

Procedure:

1. Access Online Check-in: Log in via the website or app within the check-in window for Cathay Pacific Seat Reservation Online.
2. Process Check-in: Complete the required check-in steps.
3. Seat Selection: When prompted, select a remaining seat on the seat map for free. If you skip this step, the system will automatically assign you a seat.

By Phone Call

It will be the fastest way to connect with the Cathay Pacific customer service. The executives will provide you with the required help and ensure you have a great journey experience. The given process will help you connect with the customer representatives so they can choose a seat for you: 

• Dial 1 (833) 933-2244, the customer service phone number to connect with the help center.
• A computerized voice will enlighten you about the further calling process and ensure you have proper knowledge. 
• Next, you will receive an IVR menu with multiple choices related to the flight journey. 
• Press the digit that is related to the seat selection, and the call will be directed to the concerned department and representatives. 
• Share your concerns and flight details, and let them know the seat you've chosen. 
• The seat will be assigned after you pay for it, and a confirmation will be sent.  

At the Airport Check-in Desk

This is usually the least preferable way of Cathay Pacific Seat Reservations but it is the only chance to place a request.

• Arrive at the check-in counters of the airport much before your flight.
• Nicely request the agent to reserve you a certain seat, i.e. a window or an aisle.
• The remaining inventory will be checked by the agent. This will most often be seats that have been reserved by the airport control or non-reserved seats. Although they will make the best they can, it is usually very difficult to choose a seat at this point.

Conclusion

Seats with Cathay Pacific are selected mainly by your cabin class and Economy fare type. Premium cabins allow free selection in advance. In Economy, Flex fare allows you to choose any seat free of charge, while Essential and Light fares can impose fees on premium seats or all advance selections, respectively. The easiest way to choose or pay for a seat is through Cathay Pacific Manage Booking. If you do not want to pay for an Economy seat, you can simply wait to select any free remaining seats when online check-in starts 24 hours to 48 hours prior to departure.