Aeroflot has expanded its paid advance seat selection service to most domestic routes. Prices start at 200 rubles per seat (250 rubles on Superjet 100 aircraft), reports Travel.ru.
Previously, paid seat selection was only available on three routes from Moscow (to Belgorod, Magnitogorsk, and Saratov), but since the end of March, it has been extended to all domestic flights operated by narrow-body aircraft. However, paid advance seat selection is not available on wide-body aircraft (Airbus A330 and Boeing 777), even if they serve the same routes as narrow-body aircraft. The service is not yet available on routes without narrow-body aircraft (all routes to the Far East). It is also unavailable on aircraft operated by Rossiya Airlines and Aurora Airlines subsidiaries.
Please note that seat selection at check-in remains free. Additionally, free advance seat selection remains available for passengers holding tickets in the most expensive "Optimum" and "Premium" fare groups, members of all three Aeroflot Bonus elite levels and both SkyTeam elite levels, passengers who have purchased a second seat on board (either for themselves or for carry-on baggage), and unaccompanied minors. Seat selection is always free in Premium Economy and Business Class.
Aeroflot's Economy Class seat selection rates are generally in line with the market average, but have some unique features. Standard window or aisle seats in the main cabin on short- and medium-haul aircraft cost 300 rubles, while middle seats in a three-seat block cost 250 rubles. More affordable options are available in the rear of most aircraft. Rows 25-29 on the Airbus A320, rows 32-34 on the Airbus A321, and rows 25-27 on the Boeing 737 in the rear of the aircraft are available for 200 rubles (any seat). There are no such discounted seats in the rear of the Superjet 100, where prices start at 250 rubles.
On routes with flight times of three hours or more (these are routes from Moscow to Siberia, starting in Omsk), prices are almost one and a half times higher. They are 420 rubles for a standard window or aisle seat, 350 rubles for a middle seat, and 280 rubles for a seat in the back.
Meanwhile, the last and first rows in Economy Class remain blocked for pre-selection, while the second row in Economy Class costs 75 rubles more than a standard row—375 rubles for a window or aisle seat, and 325 rubles for a middle seat (on Siberian routes, 525 and 455 rubles, respectively). Space+ seats, as well as rows in front of emergency exits on Airbus A320, Airbus A321, and Boeing 737 aircraft, are currently unavailable for pre-selection.
Space+ seats are available for selection on Superjet 100 (the entire first row of Economy Class, or row 6 in the general seating system). Selecting such a seat on a Superjet costs 1,000 rubles (250 rubles for Aeroflot Bonus Gold members). You cannot purchase a seat with Aeroflot Bonus miles.
All these fares apply to passengers flying on the cheapest "Promo" and "Budget" fare groups and who do not have elite status. As a reminder, for the past few years, these passengers have been unable to select their seats before check-in. Now, they can do so for a fee.
Aeroflot announced that only Aeroflot Bonus Platinum members will be able to select Space+ seats in advance free of charge. Gold members will receive a discount of 75%, while Silver members will receive a smaller discount. Members of other SkyTeam alliance loyalty programs apparently do not receive any discounts. Free Space+ seat selection for Gold members remains available during check-in.
The advance seat selection service will be available no later than 24 hours before departure (i.e., before check-in opens). Furthermore, the new service will be a convenient way to check the availability of various seats in advance—just go to your booking on the Aeroflot website and click the "Select Seats" link. The advance seat selection service is not available to passengers with unconfirmed reservations or those traveling on group tickets.
Aeroflot has promised to refund seat selection fees in all cases where a passenger is unable to use their chosen seat. This applies to both cases where Aeroflot is at fault (flight cancellation, flight change, passenger transfer for safety reasons, etc.) and cases where the passenger is at fault (ticket refund, flight change, seat cancellation, subsequent purchase of a more expensive seat, upgrade using miles).
In all these cases, the passenger receives a refund, but must reselect a seat on the new flight (if the seat is changed). Aeroflot, however, has promised to automatically reassign passengers to a similar seat on another aircraft if the flight or aircraft changes, but in this case, the passenger should check whether the new seat is suitable.
As a reminder, Aeroflot launched baggage-free fares on April 2. However, their availability is currently limited to select flights.
Source: travel.ru
