Jet2 charges for seat selection, but you are not required to pay. Standard seats can be pre-selected from around £8 per person, and extra legroom exit row seats currently range from £8 to £25. If you prefer to save the money, Jet2 allocates a free seat when online check-in opens, 28 days before departure.
This guide covers what seat types are available, what each costs, which rows are worth choosing on the Boeing 737-800, and whether Jet2holidays includes seat selection.
How much does Jet2 seat selection cost?
Standard seats, where you choose a specific window, middle or aisle position, cost from around £8 per person per flight. Extra legroom seats, located at the emergency exit rows, currently range from £8 to £25 per person, with an average of around £16.
Prices vary depending on route length, demand, and how far ahead you book. The charge applies per person, per flight. A couple pre-selecting seats on both legs of a return trip pays four separate seat selection charges. Booking seats at the time of the original purchase is often cheaper than adding them later.
| Seat type | Cost per person | Key notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard seat (pre-selected) | From £8 | Window, middle or aisle; available from booking to 6 hours before departure |
| Extra legroom seat | £8 to £25 | Exit rows only; seat does not recline; average around £16 |
| Free allocated seat | Free | Assigned at check-in; first-come basis; no guaranteed position |
What seat types does Jet2 offer?
Standard pre-selected seats
Most of the cabin is made up of standard seats. You can pick any available position from the seat map, window, middle, or aisle, for around £8 to £15 per person. Pre-selecting is the only way to guarantee where you will sit. If you are travelling with others and want adjacent seats, this is the most reliable option.
Extra legroom seats
Extra legroom seats are at the emergency exit rows. On the Boeing 737-800, these are the over-wing exit rows and, on some configurations, the front bulkhead row. The extra floor space is noticeable, but there are conditions: passengers must be able-bodied adults willing to help in an emergency. Exit row seats do not recline, the seat in front does not recline either, and underseat storage is unavailable during take-off and landing.
Free allocated seats
If you do not pre-select a seat, Jet2 assigns one at no cost when online check-in opens. Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so checking in early at the start of the 28-day window gives you the widest choice. Exit rows and popular positions usually go quickly. If you are travelling with others and need to sit together, free allocation makes no guarantee of adjacent seats.
Best seats on the Jet2 Boeing 737-800
Jet2 operates the Boeing 737-800 on most routes, with 189 seats in a 3-3 layout. Exit rows sit at the over-wing section, typically Rows 14 to 17 depending on the individual plane configuration.
Rows 16 and 17 are the most frequently recommended for extra legroom. The row in front does not recline into your space, and the additional floor room is meaningful on a two or three-hour flight. Your seat does not recline and there is no underseat storage during take-off and landing.
Row 14 has similar characteristics to Rows 16 and 17. Row 1, at the front of the cabin behind the galley, also has good legroom. The space comes from the wall rather than an absent row in front, so the feel differs slightly from the over-wing exits.
Row 12 is worth avoiding if you want to recline: exit rows sit directly behind it, which prevents Row 12 seats from reclining. Middle seats in any row are best avoided if you are travelling solo and comfort matters.
Jet2 also flies the Airbus A321neo on some routes. The seat layout and exit row positions differ from the 737-800, so check the seat map on the booking page for your specific flight. If you are booking well in advance, our guide to when Jet2 releases flights covers how to get the best availability before seats fill up.
Does Jet2holidays include seat selection?
Standard Jet2holidays packages do not include seat pre-selection. It is an add-on charged at the same rates as on Jet2.com flights.
Jet2holidays has offered promotions where seat selection is included for new bookings, but extra legroom seats are excluded from these offers even when they apply. If you have a Jet2holidays booking without seats added, you will be allocated a seat at check-in in the same way as on a standalone flight.
Can you sit together on Jet2 for free?
Jet2 does not guarantee that groups or families will be seated together if no seats are pre-selected. Checking in promptly at the start of the 28-day window usually leaves enough adjacent seats for two passengers. The earlier you check in within that window, the better your options.
If you are travelling with children and need to sit beside them, pre-selecting is the safer choice. For an adult pair, early check-in is often sufficient. Groups of four or more face a higher risk of being split, particularly on busy summer routes where seats fill up quickly.
Before you fly, it is worth checking our guides to Jet2 checked baggage allowance and Jet2 hand luggage rules so there are no surprises at the airport. If you are booking a Jet2holidays package, our summary of the Jet2 cancellation policy is worth reading before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I select seats on Jet2?
Log in to Manage My Booking at jet2.com and choose Add Seats. You can pick from the available seat map for a fee. Selection is open from the point of booking until six hours before departure.
Can I change my Jet2 seats after booking?
Yes. Return to Manage My Booking, select new seats, and pay any difference in price. You can change seats up to six hours before your flight departs.
What is the best seat on Jet2 for legroom?
Exit rows 16 and 17 on the Boeing 737-800 are consistently recommended. They cost from £8 per person and offer noticeably more floor space. These seats do not recline and there is no underseat storage during take-off and landing.
Does Jet2 charge for seats on return flights?
Yes. Seat selection is charged per person, per flight. A couple pre-selecting seats on both legs of a return trip would pay four separate seat selection charges.
When does Jet2 online check-in open?
Jet2 online check-in opens 28 days before departure. Our guide to Jet2 check-in covers the full process and exact timing.
Is pre-selecting a Jet2 seat worth it?
For extra legroom, the exit row fee from £8 is reasonable on any route of two hours or more. For standard seat preferences, checking in early when the 28-day window opens usually secures a decent free position, though it does not guarantee sitting with a travelling companion.
