Aer Lingus has officially scrapped free seat selection for passengers on its budget-friendly Saver fares, introducing a minimum charge of €4.99 for those wishing to choose their spot.
The Irish flag carrier confirmed to The Journal that the policy change, which was quietly introduced last month, requires Saver fare travellers to pay for Standard or Standard+ seats during the digital check-in process. Previously, these passengers could select from remaining available seats at no extra cost once check-in opened.
Strategic Move Mirrors Rivals
The decision aligns Aer Lingus with the pricing strategies of low-cost competitors like Ryanair. The move comes as the airline’s parent company, IAG, reported a 22% increase in operating profits for the third quarter of 2025, reaching €170 million.
An Aer Lingus spokesperson clarified that the new fees apply exclusively to the Saver category. Other fare types will maintain their existing benefits:
- Short-haul: PLUS and Advantage fares still include free seat selection.
- Long-haul: Smart and Flex fares retain complimentary seat options.
- Families: The airline stated it “remains committed” to seating groups together and will prioritise this during the automatic allocation process.
Impact on Passengers
Travelers who opt not to pay the new fee will be randomly assigned a seat by the system at check-in. While prices start at €4.99 (approx. $5.45 / £4.25), “Preferred” seats or those with extra legroom on transatlantic routes can cost significantly more, often exceeding €100 for premium positioning.
The policy shift is part of a broader “unbundling” strategy used by legacy carriers to compete with budget airlines while maximizing ancillary revenue. Despite the new charges, Aer Lingus recently announced a massive 2026 expansion plan, including its largest-ever North American schedule and new routes to Raleigh-Durham.
