The Guide to Turkish Airlines Seat Selection

Many travelers want to pick their seats when flying on Turkish Airlines. Choosing your seat allows you to select which row you're in and avoid being stuck in the dreaded middle seat. This is especially important when traveling with friends or family and you want to sit together throughout your flight.

With Turkish Airlines seat selection, you can select seats with extra legroom, emergency exit seats and more for a fee. Learn how Turkish Airlines seat assignment works, what it costs and when it is available.

When selecting seats on Turkish Airlines, most passengers will pay a fee. The fees vary based on your ticket class, where you're flying and the seat type.

This table highlights the fees for each type of Turkish Airlines seat selection.

Table data provided by Turkish Airlines.

This table indicates the Turkish Airlines international seat selection fees for flights departing from Canada.

Table data provided by Turkish Airlines.

» Learn more: Things to know before flying Turkish Airlines

As a Turkish Airlines passenger, you can select seats when booking your ticket or up to six hours before your flight departs.

During ticket purchase

Turkish Air seat selection is available while purchasing your ticket. To select your seat, follow these steps.

1. Visit the Turkish Airlines homepage.

2. Enter your flight details.

3. Select your flight.

4. Enter your personal information.

5. Select your seat.

6. Complete checkout.

After you've purchased your tickets

Follow these steps to select your seats on Turkish Airlines after you've bought your tickets.

1. Visit the Seat Selection page on the Turkish Airlines website.

2. Enter your ticket number or reservation code and your last name (aka surname).

3. Select your seat.

4. Pay the Turkish Airlines seat selection fees.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Seat selection fees can add unexpected expenses to your travel budget. One of the ways to extend your travel budget is by taking advantage of opportunities to eliminate or minimize these fees.

Travelers can get Turkish Airlines seat selection free in several ways, including booking premium cabin tickets, buying specific flights or having elite status.

• Booking premium class tickets. Passengers traveling in business class receive Turkish Airlines free seat selection on most flights. However, seat selection is unavailable on Turkish Airlines flights arriving in or departing from Ankara due to operational reasons.

• Purchasing an extra seat. Turkish Airlines allows passengers to buy an extra seat to take advantage of extra space and get an extra baggage allowance. These tickets also include Turkish Airlines free seat selection for both seats.

• Buying an upgrade package. When you buy an ExtraFly or PremiumFly package, you can select a standard seat for free up to 1.5 hours before departure.

• Having elite status. Members of the Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles loyalty program with Elite and Elite Plus status get free standard seat selection on domestic and international flights on Turkish Airlines. Relatives traveling on the same passenger name record (PNR) also receive free seat selection on that flight.

» Learn more: The guide to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles

Although you've paid Turkish seat selection fees for your flight, there are several instances in which your money can be refunded. In most cases, the funds will be automatically returned to you. However, if you don't automatically receive it, contact Turkish Airlines customer service within one year of the flight date.

Here are some common situations in which you'll receive your money back.

• Assigned a different seat for operational reasons. You'll receive a refund if you are moved from your chosen seat after boarding due to operational reasons.

• Canceled flight. When a flight is canceled, passengers are entitled to a refund of their seat selection fees.

• Change of plane type. If there is a plane swap and you cannot select a seat on the new airplane, you can receive a refund of your seat selection fees.

• Upgrade seat to business class. When you pay a fee to select your seat in economy but then upgrade to business class, your fees will be refunded.

You will not receive a refund if you request a flight change or cancellation. Additionally, your seat selection fees will not be returned if you choose an emergency exit row seat and must be moved to another seat because you do not meet the criteria.

When flying on Turkish Airlines, you may want to choose your seat to get a better view, sit with friends and family or get more legroom. Turkish Airlines seat selection fees range from free to $142. The cost depends on where you're traveling, the ticket purchased and the type of seat.

However, Miles&Smiles Elite and ElitePlus passengers get seat selection for free based on their elite status. If you must pay these fees, consider using a credit card that offers airline fee credits or bonus rewards on travel purchases.