Published 23 June 2026 | Updated 26 October 2026 by Kate Acaster
Choosing your seat costs extra on TUI Airways flights, but the options vary more than most passengers realise. You can pay to reserve a standard seat, upgrade to extra legroom, or step up to a Premium cabin on long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliner routes. This guide covers every tier, what each one costs, and whether it's worth paying.
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What seat options does TUI offer?
TUI offers four tiers of seating:
- Pay nothing and you get an automatic seat at online check-in.
- Pay to pick a specific standard seat from the seat map.
- Pay more for Extra Legroom (two inches more seat pitch than standard) or Extra Space.
- On long-haul TUI Dreamliner (Boeing 787) routes, there's also a Premium cabin, a very different experience.
On TUI Airways flights, children under 12 are seated with at least one adult in their party without paying for seat selection. That applies with automatic allocation at check-in too, so you don't have to pay just to keep your group together.
“Don’t let a seat map talk you into paying to keep your family together. On TUI Airways flights, children under 12 are seated with at least one adult in their party, even if you leave it to automatic allocation at check-in. Save that money for a longer flight, where two extra inches of legroom will do far more for you than a seat you picked yourself.”Kate Acaster, Chief Editor, Flight Tribe
TUI seat prices compared
| Seat | Pitch | Width | Routes | Price (each way) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (allocated) | 29" on the 737, 32" on the 787 | Standard | All routes | Free |
| Select Your Seat | Standard | Standard | All TUI routes | Shown at booking |
| Extra Legroom | Standard + 2" | Standard | Most routes | Shown at booking |
| Extra Space | See seat map | Standard | Selected routes | Shown at booking |
| Premium (long haul) | 38" | 20" (4" wider) | 787 Dreamliner only | Typically a few hundred pounds |
Adding seats when you book your holiday is usually cheaper than going back to Manage My Booking later. Popular routes in peak school holiday periods, particularly Premium, can cost a lot more than off-peak dates.
How to choose your seat on a TUI flight
You can select your seat when you book 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 each leg of a return journey independently.
There are two exceptions to the Manage My Booking route:
- 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 check your booking confirmation for which platform applies.
- If you're flying on a TUI partner charter airline, such as Corendon, Smartlynx or Titan, Manage My Booking will show your partner airline reference number. You may need to contact that airline directly to select seats.
Is TUI seat selection worth paying for?
Standard seats on short-haul flights
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 on TUI Airways flights children under 12 are seated with at least one adult in their party without paying. The allocated seat will suit most passengers on a two-hour hop to the Canary Islands or Balearics. Travelling light on a short hop? Cabin bag limits are in our TUI hand luggage guide.
Extra Legroom for taller passengers
Extra Legroom makes more sense if you're tall. The two-inch pitch increase is noticeable on routes of two hours or more. 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 on long-haul Dreamliner routes
Premium is a different product, not just a roomier seat. The 38-inch pitch and 20-inch seat, 4 inches wider than standard, put it closer to short-haul business class than premium economy. The package adds:
- priority check-in, fast track and boarding
- lounge access on UK and Ireland outbound flights
- a four-course meal with free drinks
- 25kg hold and 10kg cabin bags
- an amenity kit on the outbound flight
On Dreamliner routes to Jamaica, Mexico, the Maldives or Cape Verde, that's a real step up in comfort and service. Expect it to add a few hundred pounds per person each way.
Book early, whichever 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. To guarantee Extra Legroom or Premium, add seats when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose my TUI seat for free?
No. If you don't pay, TUI allocates a seat automatically at online check-in. Choosing a specific seat costs extra, with prices shown in the booking flow that vary by route and date. On TUI Airways flights, children under 12 are seated with at least one adult in their party without paying.
When can I choose my seat on a TUI flight?
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?
TUI shows seat prices in the booking flow, and they vary by route and date. Premium on long-haul Dreamliner flights typically adds a few hundred pounds per person each way.
What is included with TUI Premium seats?
A 38-inch seat pitch and a 20-inch seat, 4 inches wider than standard, plus priority check-in, fast track and boarding, lounge access on UK and Ireland outbound flights, a four-course meal with free drinks, 25kg hold and 10kg cabin bags and an outbound amenity kit. It's available on TUI Boeing 787 Dreamliner long-haul flights only.
Can I select a TUI seat one-way only?
Yes. TUI lets you 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 don't choose a seat on TUI?
TUI allocates one automatically when online check-in opens. On TUI Airways flights, children under 12 are seated with at least one adult in their party without paying for seat selection.
Does TUI seat selection work on partner airline flights?
Not always. TUI uses partner charter airlines, including Corendon, Smartlynx and Titan, on some routes, and Manage My Booking shows the partner airline's booking reference. You may need to contact that airline directly to select seats.
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.
How Kate works
Kate checks the details that can change the value of a trip, including cabin-bag rules, airline fees, hotel location, seasonality, travel dates and booking conditions. She is especially interested in offers that look useful on the surface but need a proper reader-first check before they are worth recommending.
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Flight Tribe covers deals and travel advice for readers first. Affiliate links do not decide whether an offer is worth writing about.
