DDs are booked on AA flight DFW-IAH . When they bought tix they coulld not reserve seats as only one seat showed as empty, They figured tht since they were able to purchase tix they were guaranteed seats. Is this not the case?

So far, AA says that seats will be assigned when they arrive at airport. Should they be worried about NOT getting seats? It appears on AA website today that only one flight has three seats remaining (on a much later flight but wiould be acceptable) and even then they were not able to reserve their two seats.

We are confused...

they may have overbooked.......if you're really concerned, call the airline directly. It could be that only one seat is available to the website where you purchased the tickets~i.e. Priceline or Travelocity.

They purchased on AA's website about two weeks ago.

it could be that a block of seats has been given to another agency~such as Priceline. I'd call the airline to make sure; either that, or make sure they're at the airport early!

Do online check-in at the earliest time possible and get their seats assigned then. If that is not possible, then the flight is likely overbooked and only then do they need to go to airport early.

It is also possible that the flight is not oversold, but the airline withholds a certain number of prime seats for assignment to late-booking high-fare frequent flyers, or to allow gate agents a bit of flexibility to accommodate family groups or someone who shows up with a leg in a cast. These seats would be released when on-line check-in opens, so do that at the first possible moment.

Flight is overbooked so definitely get there early!

On a busy route like DFW-IAH, it's common for airlines to overbook, as there are almost certain people who change last minute, miss their connection, etc. And for each passenger that really worries about being bumped, I'm sure there is at least one person on the flight willing to volunteer for a voucher.

thanks for your replies - good advice. DD called AA last night and was told they have guaranteed seats, that seats are held back until the day of the flight. Hmmm.... she was not convinced that was true (we also believe flight was oversold) but they will check in online early. Failing that, they will make sure they are early to the airport.

thanks all.

On this route, the worst case scenario is that they are put on the next flight and get some money out of the deal. Stop worrying.

Those seat maps on the website are NOT a true and accurate indicator of what is available, just because it shows full to YOU does not mean the flight is over-sold or that all those seats are really assigned yet. The airline DOES hold back seats for assignment at the airport on the day of the flight, like they told her.