TUI seat selection is paid on all TUI Airways flights, but the options vary more than most passengers realise. You can pay a small fee to reserve a standard seat, upgrade to extra legroom, or step up to a Premium cabin on long-haul Dreamliner routes. This guide covers every tier, what each one costs, and whether paying is worth it.
What seat options does TUI offer?
TUI offers four tiers of seating. At the base level, you fly without paying anything and receive an automatic seat allocation at online check-in. Pay a small fee and you can pick a specific standard seat from the seat map. Pay more for Extra Legroom, which gives at least two extra inches of seat pitch, or Extra Space, which provides at least eight extra inches. On long-haul routes on the TUI Dreamliner (Boeing 787), there is also a Premium cabin with a fundamentally different experience.
Families with children under 12 are guaranteed to be seated next to an adult in their party, regardless of whether they pay for seat selection. This applies even with automatic allocation at check-in, so there is no obligation to pay just to keep your group together.
TUI seat prices compared
| Seat type | Extra pitch | Seat width | Routes | From (each way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (allocated) | — | — | All routes | Free |
| Select Your Seat | — | — | All TUI routes | From ~£16 |
| Extra Legroom | +2" minimum | — | Most routes | From ~£40 |
| Extra Space | +8" minimum | — | Selected routes | Varies by route |
| Premium (long haul) | 38" total | 20" | Dreamliner only | From ~£200 |
All prices vary by route, departure date, and how early you book. Adding seats at the time of holiday booking is typically cheaper than returning to Manage My Booking later. Popular routes in peak school holiday periods, particularly Premium, can cost considerably more than the indicative prices above.
How to choose your seat on a TUI flight
You can select your seat at the time of booking or afterwards through TUI Manage My Booking. Log in with your booking reference and lead passenger surname, go to Flight Extras, then choose from the seat map. You can select seats for one or both legs of a return journey independently.
If you booked a cruise or ski package rather than a standard package holiday, your seat selection may be handled through TUI Flight Extras instead. The process is similar but the entry point is different. Check your booking confirmation for which platform applies to you.
If you are flying on a TUI partner charter airline, such as Corendon, Smartlynx, or Titan, TUI Manage My Booking will show your partner airline reference number. You may need to contact that airline directly to select seats on those specific flights.
Is TUI seat selection worth paying for?
For short-haul flights under three hours, paying to choose a standard seat is rarely essential. TUI allocates seats automatically at online check-in, and families are kept together without paying anything. The allocated seat will suit most passengers on a two-hour hop to the Canary Islands or Balearics.
Extra Legroom is a clearer proposition for taller passengers. The minimum two-inch pitch increase is noticeable on routes of two hours or more, and TUI's pricing tends to be competitive compared with Ryanair or easyJet's equivalent. On medium-haul routes to Egypt or Turkey, where flights run to four hours or more, the upgrade is reasonable value if you find economy seating uncomfortable.
Premium is a different product entirely, not just a roomier seat. The 38-inch pitch and 20-inch seat width put it closer to short-haul business class than premium economy. The package adds fast-track security at the departure airport, access to an airport lounge, Prosecco before takeoff, a four-course meal, a Rituals amenity kit, and priority boarding. On Dreamliner routes to Jamaica, Mexico, the Maldives, or Cape Verde, it represents a genuine upgrade in comfort and service. Whether the price, typically £200 to £400 per person each way, makes sense depends on the specific route and what you would otherwise spend on business class.
Regardless of which tier you choose, earlier is cheaper. TUI seat prices rise as departure approaches and popular seats, particularly window seats and bulkhead rows, fill up quickly. If you want to guarantee Extra Legroom or Premium, add seats when you book your holiday rather than waiting.
Before adding seat extras, check the TUI baggage allowance so you know what is already included in your fare. For the best time to book, see when TUI has sales and when TUI releases its annual flights. Our TUI guide also covers TUI check-in opening times and when TUI releases its holidays.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my TUI seat for free?
No. TUI allocates seats automatically at online check-in if you do not pay. You pay from around £16 each way to choose a specific standard seat, or more for Extra Legroom, Extra Space, or Premium. Families with children under 12 are kept together without paying.
When can I choose my seat on a TUI flight?
You can choose your seat when you book your holiday or at any point afterwards through TUI Manage My Booking. If you have a cruise or ski package, seat selection is handled through TUI Flight Extras at flightextras.tui.co.uk.
How much does TUI seat selection cost?
Standard seat selection starts from around £16 each way. Extra Legroom starts from around £40 each way. Extra Space and Premium pricing varies by route. Premium on Dreamliner long-haul flights starts from around £200 each way. All prices change with route and booking date.
What is included with TUI Premium seats?
TUI Premium includes a 38-inch seat pitch and a 20-inch seat width, plus fast-track security, airport lounge access, Prosecco before takeoff, a four-course meal, a Rituals amenity kit, and priority boarding. Available on TUI Dreamliner (Boeing 787) long-haul flights only.
Can I select a TUI seat one-way only?
Yes. TUI allows you to buy seat upgrades on each flight independently, so you can pay for Extra Legroom on the outbound leg without upgrading the return.
What happens if I do not choose a seat on TUI?
TUI assigns a seat automatically when online check-in opens. Passengers travelling with children under 12 are guaranteed to be seated next to an adult in their party even with automatic allocation.
Does TUI seat selection work on partner airline flights?
TUI uses partner charter airlines including Corendon, Smartlynx, and Titan on some routes. TUI Manage My Booking shows the partner airline booking reference. You may need to contact the partner airline directly to select seats on those flights.
This guide is part of our complete Flying with TUI guide, which covers everything UK passengers need to know about flying with TUI.
Kate Acaster is Chief Editor at Flight Tribe. She writes about practical travel planning, budget airlines, baggage rules, city breaks, beach holidays and good hotels that do not cost daft money.
Kate has travelled through Europe, South America and beyond, usually with a notebook, a half-formed plan and a strong opinion on airport snacks. At Flight Tribe, her work focuses on helping UK travellers understand what is included, what costs extra, and whether a trip is worth booking at the price shown.
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