China Eastern Airlines: seat reservation in Economy class

Question

Hello everyone,

I can't figure out if it's possible to reserve seats (possibly for a fee) when purchasing an Economy ticket with China Eastern Airlines.

This option is usually offered before finalizing the booking, but when I tried, it wasn't there, and I'm not sure if I can do it after purchasing, or if it's not available in Economy.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks and have a good day.

Giuseppe

Answer

With China Eastern Airlines, seat selection in Economy Class is generally possible, but the options and fees depend on several factors including the type of ticket, route, and whether you book directly through the airline or via a third-party platform.

Before purchasing the ticket:

On most direct bookings through China Eastern Airlines’ official website, Economy Class passengers are usually shown a seat map before finalizing payment. Some seats, like extra-legroom or preferred seats, may have an additional fee.
If you don’t see the seat selection option during booking, it could be due to the fare class. Some discounted economy fares (especially basic or promotional tickets) do not allow pre-selection of seats.

After purchasing the ticket:

You can usually select or change your seat through the "Manage Booking" section on China Eastern Airlines’ website or mobile app.
Fees may apply for preferred or extra-legroom seats, whereas standard seats are often free if the ticket allows selection.
If your ticket does not permit online seat selection, you can request a seat at check-in, either online or at the airport counter. However, choices may be limited.

Other considerations:

Third-party booking platforms sometimes do not show the seat selection option. In that case, you may need to contact China Eastern Airlines directly with your booking reference to choose a seat.
For high-demand flights or long-haul routes, it’s advisable to select seats as early as possible to secure preferred positions.
For flights connecting in China, seat assignments may differ between legs, so it’s worth checking both segments if you have a multi-leg journey.

In summary, Economy Class seat selection with China Eastern Airlines is usually possible, though some fare types may restrict it. If the option isn’t available during booking, check after purchase under "Manage Booking" or at check-in. Fees may apply for preferred or extra-legroom seats.

China Eastern Airlines: seat reservation in Economy class

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