How do I get a seat assignment - NY to Venice, SwissAir
 

I just booked tickets on SwissAir from JFK to Venice via Zurich on Orbitz. It says on the itinerary that seats will be assigned at the gate. No way! I don't want to wait to get seats. Any ideas on what to do about this? Is this because the tickets are through Orbitz?

The airlines hold back a certain number of seats for assignment at the airport. If those available for advance selection are gone - they're gone. If you're a member of a premium flyers club that is linked to SwissAir you can call them and ask for seats.

But- if most seats are already assigned - likely you'll have to wait.

Really? I never had that happen before. I think I will call the airline and see if I have any luck. thanks!!

Several airlines wont allow you to book until 24 hours before the flight. British Airways won't even make an exception for Business/First flyers.

I would try calling Swiss. We flew with Swiss to Italy last summer, and I was able to get assigned seats for all four segments, including the intra-European flights (to my surprise), when I booked. I did book directly with the Swiss call center rather than Orbitz, but I'm not sure that should make a difference.

It's possible they don't give pre-assigned seats to those who book on a 3rd party website. I've had that happen in the past with Travelocity.

They probably have already assigned seats for you, but they do not display the seat assignments on your booking account on their website.

Just call them and ask. They may change the seat assignment according to your wishes. Call again a couple of weeks before departure date and again two days before departure. Often they will change the assigned seats without notice.

I booked directly with Swiss, however I did not register on the website and now I am unable to manage or look up my reservation on the website.

I did call Swiss and have seats assigned. I will be able to check in online, just not check my reservation.

The Swiss customer service people were very easy to deal with.

Hi rbn,

Try calling the airline.

((I))

Called em. They were great. All seats are assigned. They did tell me that even though it said that the seats will be assigned at the airport, they HAD been assigned to us, and they were two aisle seats. So we got the seats we want (two together) and everyone's happy. Thanks!