Seat selection on Vietnam Airlines flights is no longer free when checking in online. This is a significant change for passengers who have been accustomed to selecting their seats at no cost.
Starting February 25, 2025, Vietnam Airlines has officially discontinued free seat selection during online check-in. If you don’t reserve a seat in advance, the system will automatically assign you a random seat. This means you won’t know beforehand if you’ll get a window seat, an aisle seat, or be placed in the middle between two strangers.
Passengers can reserve seats in advance through the airline’s website, mobile app, ticket offices, or authorized agents. The seat selection fees are as follows:
For Lotusmiles members, depending on their membership tier, they may receive free seat selection or up to a 50% discount—a valuable benefit for frequent Vietnam Airlines travelers.
Booking your seat early ensures you get your preferred spot and avoids being assigned an undesirable seat. If you want extra legroom, a comfortable position, or to sit near your travel companions, it’s best to reserve your seat at the time of ticket purchase rather than waiting until the last minute.
If you don’t pre-select your seat, here are some ways to improve your chances of getting a better seat:
According to a Vietnam Airlines ticket distributor, discontinuing free seat selection optimizes the check-in process and ensures that passengers who genuinely need premium seats can access them. Previously, many desirable seats were reserved but not used effectively, preventing passengers in need from securing them.
Additionally, removing free seat selection reduces the strain on the online check-in system, speeds up the process, enhances the overall passenger experience, and ensures fairer seat allocation on flights.
While this change may cause initial inconvenience, in the long run, it is expected to help Vietnam Airlines manage operations more efficiently and improve service quality.
If you have an upcoming flight with Vietnam Airlines, consider reserving your seat early to ensure a comfortable journey!