The Guide to Turkish Airlines Seat Selection
Turkish Airlines seats can cost up to $249. Choose your seat wisely or fly free with elite status.
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Updated · 2 min read
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Contributing Writer Turkish Airlines lets passengers choose their seats during booking or after a ticket has been purchased, with several seat options available.
Advance seat selection can be helpful if you’re trying to avoid the middle seat or want to sit with friends or family. Below, we explain how Turkish Airlines seat selection works, what it costs and ways to reduce or avoid the associated fees.
Turkish Airlines seat selection fee
When selecting seats on Turkish Airlines, most passengers will pay a fee. The fees vary based on the ticket class, route and seat type.
This table highlights the fees for each seat type.
| Route | Flight class | Seat type | Fees | Selection period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *All flights | Business class. | All seats. | Free. | 355 days before flight. |
| THY domestic and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus flights | Economy class. | Standard. | $4-$9 (160-380 TRY). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY domestic and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus flights | Economy class. | Preferred seat. | $8-$12 (330-500 TRY). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY domestic and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus flights | Economy class. | Extra legroom seat. | $12-$16 (500-700 TRY) | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY domestic and Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus flights | Economy class. | Emergency exit seat. | $8-$13 (350-550 TRY). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY international flights | Economy class. | Standard. | $15-$60. | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY international flights | Economy class. | Preferred seat. | $20-$100. | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY international flights | Economy class. | Extra legroom seat. | $24-$249. | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY international flights | Economy class. | Emergency exit seat. | $24-$200. | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| THY domestic and international flights; Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members and their relatives sharing the same PNR number with members | Economy class. | Standard and preferred seats. | Free. | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
Table data provided by Turkish Airlines.
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This table indicates the Turkish Airlines fees for flights departing from Canada.
| Route | Flight class | Seat type | Fees | Selection period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada - İstanbul | Business class. | Standard. | $40 (55 CAD). | 355 days before flight. |
| Canada - Istanbul | Economy class. | Preferred seat. | $78 (108 CAD). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| Canada - İstanbul | Economy class. | Extra legroom seat. | $156 (216 CAD). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
| Canada - İstanbul | Economy class. | Emergency exit seat. | $156 (216 CAD). | 355 days - 6 hours before flight. |
Table data provided by Turkish Airlines.
» Learn more: Things to know before flying Turkish Airlines
How to select seats on Turkish Airlines flights
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.
- Visit the Turkish Airlines homepage.
- Enter your flight details.
- Select your flight.
- Enter your personal information.
- Select your seat.
- Complete checkout.
After you've purchased your tickets
Follow these steps to select your seats on Turkish Airlines after you've bought your tickets.
- Visit the Seat Selection page on the Turkish Airlines website.
- Enter your ticket number or reservation code and your last name (aka surname).
- Select your seat.
- Pay the Turkish Airlines seat selection fees.
» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now
How to avoid paying Turkish Airlines seat selection fees
Seat selection fees can add unexpected expenses to your trip. However, there are several ways to avoid or reduce these fees, including booking premium cabin tickets, buying specific flights or holding elite status.
- Booking premium class tickets. Passengers traveling in business class can select a seat free of charge. However, seat selection is unavailable on flights arriving in or departing from Ankara for operational reasons.
- Purchasing an extra seat. Turkish Airlines allows passengers to buy an extra seat for additional space and baggage allowance. These tickets include 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 can select a standard or preferred seat free of charge on domestic and international flights. Relatives traveling on the same passenger name record (PNR) also receive complimentary seat selection.
» Learn more: The guide to Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
When can you get a refund on Turkish Airlines seat selection fees?
Even if you've paid seat selection fees, there are several situations in which you may be eligible for a refund. If you don't automatically receive it, contact Turkish Airlines customer service within one year of the flight date.
You may receive a refund in the following situations:
- 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.
Final thoughts on Turkish Airlines seat selection
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 $249. 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.
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