Emirates Seat Selection & Upgrades 2026: Choose the Best Seat
Last reviewed against Emirates' published seat and upgrade information.
Reviewed by Jack Martin, Senior Process Associate at AirFiesta. About AirFiesta
Emirates seat selection is optional: if you don't choose, a seat is assigned free. In Economy, advance seats cost roughly US$7–260 depending on seat type and route, unless your fare or Skywards tier includes them. Regular, Preferred and Twin seats become free when online check-in opens 48 hours before departure. First Class, Premium Economy and most Business fares include seat selection. Upgrades are available with cash or Skywards Miles in Manage Your Booking.
Booked directly with Emirates?
Choose seats or check upgrade prices yourself in Manage Your Booking on emirates.com or the Emirates App.
Go to EmiratesBooked with AirFiesta?
We can select seats on your AirFiesta booking and check upgrade options, telling you exactly what's included before anything is charged.
Emirates Economy seat types and seat map
On the Emirates seat map, each seat type is shown separately. The diagram below shows where they typically sit on a Boeing 777 Economy cabin.
Regular seats
Standard window, middle and aisle seats throughout the Economy cabin.
Preferred seats
Seats towards the front of the Economy cabin, or on the upper deck of some A380 flights, so you're among the first off the plane.
Twin seats
Rows of just two seats, window and aisle, at the back of Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft and on the upper deck of some A380s. A favourite with couples.
Extra Legroom seats
Exit-row seats with more space to stretch out. They're allocated according to safety requirements, so not every passenger can sit there.
Emirates seat selection fee by fare
Whether you pay depends on your Economy fare type. This applies before online check-in opens:
| Fare | Regular | Preferred | Twin | Extra Legroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Special | Paid | Paid | Paid | Paid |
| Economy Saver | Paid | Paid | Paid | Paid |
| Economy Flex | Free | Paid | Paid | Paid |
| Economy Flex Plus | Free | Free | Paid | Paid |
| Seat type | Price range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Regular | $7–40 |
| Preferred | $15–100 |
| Twin | $20–135 |
| Extra Legroom | $30–260 |
Prices vary by season, route, origin and destination. Children aged 2–12 travelling with adults get 50% off Regular and Preferred seats. You can pay with Cash+Miles.
How to get free seats on Emirates
Wait for online check-in
Regular, Preferred and Twin seats are free to choose when online check-in opens 48 hours before your flight. The best seats may be gone by then, so pay in advance if a specific seat matters.
Premium cabins
Seat selection is free in First Class, in Premium Economy, and on Business Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares. On Business Special fares, you can choose a free seat when check-in opens 48 hours before departure.
Skywards and Qantas Frequent Flyer tiers
| Tier | Free seat types |
|---|---|
| Platinum | All, including Extra Legroom |
| Platinum companions (same booking) | Regular, Preferred, Twin |
| Gold and companions | Regular, Preferred |
| Silver | Regular |
| Blue | None |
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members and companions get Regular and Preferred seats free; Chairman's Lounge members also get Twin seats free.
Special needs
Emirates automatically allocates a suitable seat free of charge if you have specific needs, for example travelling with an infant or medical requirements.
How to choose or change your Emirates seat after booking
- Open Manage Your Booking on emirates.com or the Emirates App and enter your last name and booking reference.
- Go to the Passenger tab and choose seat selection.
- Pick your seat on the seat map; any fee for your fare is shown before you pay.
- Save the booking. You can change again later, or choose at online check-in.
Emirates may still move your seat if there's an aircraft change, disruption or safety reason. If you paid for the seat, you may be eligible for a refund under Emirates' terms.
Best seats on Emirates
Economy
Choose Extra Legroom for space, Preferred seats for a quicker exit, or Twin seats if you're travelling as a couple. On the A380, the upper deck Economy sections on some flights are smaller and quieter. Check Emirates' seat maps for your aircraft type, since layouts vary between the A380, Boeing 777 and A350.
Premium Economy, Business and First
Seat selection is included in these cabins on most fares, so the main choice is window or aisle, and how close to the front. Emirates' seating charts show the layout for each aircraft.
Emirates Business and First Class seat maps
Seat selection is included in First Class and on Business Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares, so the choice is really about which seat. Layouts differ by aircraft, and these simplified diagrams show the main ones.
Emirates Business Class seat map
On the A380, the A350 and refitted Boeing 777s, Business Class uses a 1-2-1 layout where every seat has aisle access. Solo travellers usually prefer the window seats for privacy; couples can pick a centre pair. Some older Boeing 777s still use a 2-3-2 layout, where not every seat has direct aisle access, so check the seat map for your flight before choosing. On most A380s, the Business cabin is on the upper deck, close to the onboard lounge at the rear.
Emirates First Class seat map
First Class is made up of private suites. On the A380 they're on the upper deck at the front, with window suites on each side and a pair of centre suites in each row, a good option for couples. On Boeing 777s with the newest First Class, the suites are fully enclosed in a 1-1-1 layout, and the centre suite uses a virtual window instead of a real one. Some older 777s have a different First Class layout, so check your aircraft.
How to check your Emirates aircraft type
Which seats you can choose depends on the aircraft: Twin seats, upper-deck Economy and Premium Economy aren't on every plane. To check yours:
- Open your trip in Manage Your Booking or the Emirates App; the aircraft type is shown with each flight.
- Open the seat map for that flight to see the actual layout and which seat types are offered.
- Compare with Emirates' seating charts for the A380, Boeing 777 and A350, and check again before departure in case of an aircraft change.
Emirates A380 seat selection
The A380 has two decks. On most A380s the upper deck holds the premium cabins, while on some two-class A380s the upper deck also has a smaller Economy section with Preferred and Twin seats. The lower deck is mainly Economy, with Preferred seats in its first rows. Because configurations differ between A380s, the seat map for your specific flight is the only reliable guide.
Emirates Premium Economy seat selection
Seat selection is free in Emirates Premium Economy on every fare. Premium Economy is only on some aircraft, including many A380s and the A350, so check that your flight has it before booking. If your aircraft is changed to one without Premium Economy, contact Emirates or whoever issued your ticket about your options.
Emirates vs. Qatar Airways seat selection
| Feature | Emirates | Qatar Airways |
|---|---|---|
| Free standard seat at booking | Economy Flex and Flex Plus | Economy Convenience and Comfort |
| Paid seats on cheapest fares | Economy Special and Saver | Economy Lite and Classic |
| Free at online check-in | Regular, Preferred and Twin seats, from 48 hours before | Remaining seats at check-in, from 48 hours before |
| Seat types | Regular, Preferred, Twin, Extra Legroom | Standard, Preferred, Extra Legroom, Economy Reserve |
| Published price ranges | Yes, US$7–260 by seat type | No, varies by flight duration |
| Premium Economy | On some aircraft, seat selection free | Not offered |
For the full Qatar Airways rules, see our Qatar Airways seat selection guide.
Emirates upgrade options
Paid upgrade
Enter your booking in Manage Your Booking to see the price to upgrade to Business or First Class with an online payment.
Upgrade with Skywards Miles
Manage Your Booking shows whether you can upgrade with your Miles. Upgrade seats are limited, so check early.
Automatic upgrades
Set up automatic upgrades so you're moved to the next cabin with your Skywards Miles as soon as an upgrade seat becomes available.
Upgrade alerts
Sign up for email or SMS alerts to hear when an upgrade becomes available on your flight.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Emirates charge for seat selection?
Emirates lists indicative Economy prices of US$7–40 for Regular seats, US$15–100 for Preferred seats, US$20–135 for Twin seats and US$30–260 for Extra Legroom seats. Prices vary by season, route, origin and destination.
Is Emirates seat selection free?
Yes in several cases: at online check-in 48 hours before departure for Regular, Preferred and Twin seats; for Regular seats on Economy Flex and Flex Plus fares; for Preferred seats on Flex Plus; in First Class, Premium Economy and on Business Saver, Flex and Flex Plus fares; and for many Skywards tier members.
Which Emirates fares include free seat selection?
Economy Flex includes Regular seats, and Economy Flex Plus includes Regular and Preferred seats. Economy Special and Saver pay for all seats before check-in. First Class, Premium Economy and Business Saver, Flex and Flex Plus include seat selection.
Can I change my Emirates seat after booking?
Yes. Open Manage Your Booking on emirates.com or the Emirates App, go to the Passenger tab and choose a new seat, paying any fee for your fare. You can also choose again at online check-in.
What are Emirates Twin seats?
Rows of just two seats, a window and an aisle, found at the back of Emirates Boeing 777 aircraft and on the upper deck of some A380s. They're popular with couples.
Are Emirates Extra Legroom seats worth it?
For tall travellers on long flights, often yes. They're exit-row seats with more space to stretch out, allocated according to safety requirements, so not every passenger is eligible. Economy fares pay for them before and after check-in opens.
Do children get a discount on Emirates seat selection?
Yes. Children aged 2 to 12 travelling with adults get 50% off Regular and Preferred seats.
Do Emirates Skywards members get free seats?
Platinum members select any Economy seat free, and their companions on the same booking get Regular, Preferred and Twin seats free. Gold members and companions get Regular and Preferred free. Silver members get Regular seats free.
How do I upgrade my Emirates flight?
In Manage Your Booking, check the price to upgrade to Business or First with a card payment, or with Skywards Miles if available. You can also set up automatic upgrades using Miles and sign up for upgrade alerts by email or SMS.
Can I upgrade my Emirates flight with Skywards Miles?
Yes, when upgrade seats are available on your flight. Manage Your Booking shows whether you can upgrade with Miles, and automatic upgrades can move you up as soon as a seat opens.
Does Emirates have upgrade bidding?
Emirates' official upgrade options are cash upgrades, Skywards Miles upgrades, automatic upgrades and upgrade alerts, all through Manage Your Booking. Check there for the options offered on your specific flight.
What if Emirates changes my seat?
Emirates may move your seat because of an aircraft change, disruption or safety reasons, up until departure. If you paid for the seat and are moved, you may be eligible for a refund under Emirates' terms.
How does Emirates seat families together?
Seat selection is optional, and Emirates automatically allocates seats free of charge to passengers with specific needs, such as travelling with an infant. Booking everyone on one reservation and choosing seats early helps keep families together.
Does Emirates Premium Economy include seat selection?
Yes. Seat selection is free in Premium Economy. It's only available on some aircraft, including many A380s and the A350, so check your flight's seat map.
Is Emirates or Qatar Airways better for free seat selection?
It depends on your fare. Emirates includes Regular seats on Economy Flex and makes Regular, Preferred and Twin seats free at online check-in. Qatar Airways includes Standard seats on Economy Convenience and Comfort. Emirates also publishes its seat price ranges, while Qatar's vary by flight duration.
How do I know which Emirates aircraft I'm flying?
The aircraft type is shown with each flight in Manage Your Booking and the Emirates App. Check the seat map too, since A380s, Boeing 777s and A350s have different layouts and seat types.
What is the Emirates Business Class seat layout?
On the A380, A350 and refitted Boeing 777s it's 1-2-1, so every seat has aisle access. Some older Boeing 777s use a 2-3-2 layout. Check the seat map for your flight.
What are the best Emirates First Class seats?
On the A380, window suites give the most privacy and the centre suites suit couples. On Boeing 777s with the newest First Class, suites are fully enclosed in a 1-1-1 layout; the centre suite has a virtual window.
I booked through a travel agent. Who handles my seats and upgrades?
You can usually manage seats in Emirates' Manage Your Booking with your booking reference and last name. If not, contact the agency that issued your ticket. If you booked with AirFiesta, we can select seats and check upgrade options for you.