Airport Controlled Seats INTERNATIONAL
 

Here is my dilemma. I am flying for my first time international. I leave on July 17 and taking Asiana airlines from Chicago to the Philippines via Korea. Here is where I am worrying. Here is my itinerary.

Chicago to Korea.... Got seat
Korea to Manila..... Got seat
Manila to Korea..... Got seat
Korea to Seattle..... NO SEAT
Seattle to Chicago on Alaska airlines..... Got seat.

Here is my concern. I got the last seat available from Chicago to Korea. But not a window seat I want. The airline said that there are some seats that are blocked for airport control and when I check in I may be able to find one. What does this mean? Also what if the flight is overbooked? It is crucial I arrive in the Philippines on the day I am supposed to because I have a tight schedule I have planned. But I am worried about the fact that I will be on the flight. The Korea to Manila had many seats open. Its just the flight out of Chicago I am concerned about. I already got a reserved pre selected seat but the policies of overbooking or airport controlled seats is where I am lost. What does this even mean for me? Do I seriously have to sit and worry the next 3 weeks about this when I need to be planning my time in the Philippines? Its almost scary to plan what I need to plan if I am worried about what the airline means by this.

Thanks for any help to help me calm my nerves a little. Im already nervous of flying alone for my first international flight and this dont help my worries. Thank you.

Don't bother worrying. I don't know what they mean by that either but the vast majority of ticketed passengers get on their flights. If you're unable, for whatever reason, to adjust your flights to accommodate a delay, then just carry on planning and don't fret about something that is unlikely to occur and over which you have no control. One foot in front of the other, occupy yourself with the best part of travel, the planning.

One more thing, if by "crucial" you mean a sightseeing schedule, then I'd say relax and adjust if the worst happens. If it's for business, however, and your entire future depends on an on-time arrival, then it may be worth your while to change your flights for a day or 2 earlier so you have wiggle room. Otherwise, relax and forget about it.

Thanks for the response. Yea its not business but I have a meeting with the US Embassy when I arrive. I tried to come up to 2 days earlier but I could not get any flight I could afford to do it with. I believe after reading more and what they airline said was that these seats are blocked to accommodate others and move passengers around and the seats open up at check in. The first flight is the only concern. the others I can deal with as my second flight into Manila had many seats open. I also already paid for a hotel the first 2 nights before heading to a house for the last 2 weeks. The airlines dont explain it very well even when I called them. Thanks again for the response :)

The only flight you don't have an assigned seat for is on your return from Incheon to Seattle, so this has no impact on planning your time in the Philippines. Just make sure you get to the airport in the time frame required by the airline, likely 90 to 120 minutes before your flight out of Chicago. Look online for the requirements.

Airlines do always hold back some seats - that is, there are a number of seats they do not pre-assign. This means that they have more flexibility in assigning seats at the airport. So you didn't get the seat you wanted pre-assigned, you may be able to get a window seat assigned once you get to the airport. This has nothing to do with overbooking.

Relax and enjoy your planning.

Yes, airlines routinely hold back several seats on many flights mainly so they have some flexibility to reassign seats, if necessary, to accommodate family and/or 'special needs" passengers that would otherwise end up in seats that are not appropriate (for instance, a person with limited mobility might need an aisle seat or a family who would otherwise be separated can sit near each other- you get the idea). For what it is worth, some airlines only assign seats to their First Class/ Business Class and "frequent flyer" passengers so not having a pre assigned seat is not a major issue.

Keep in mind that just because you have a pre-assigned seat on any given flight there are no guarantees you'll get that particular seat. Equipment (type of aircraft) and seating configuration can change which often results in seat assignments being altered.

As Kathie says, just arrive at the airport within the allotted time and you'll get your boarding pass and seat assignment when you check in at the airport.

Thank you all so much. I do feel so much better now that I dont have to worry. Even my sister said with me have a connecting flight that mine would be priority. This is now starting to make sense to me. I appreciate all your help everyone. Thank you so much for the information.