Reserve a PIA Seat in Pakistan: Extra Legroom Fee, Exit Row Rules and Who Is Barred
Reserve a PIA seat on the website, app or at a counter for a fee. See Standard, Priority and Extra Legroom seats, and who is barred from the exit row.
PIA sells three kinds of pre-booked seats: Standard, Priority and Extra Legroom. You pay a fee per passenger for each leg of the journey, and PIA does not print the price on its page. Exit row seats come with rules: you must be 15 or older, able to open the door and able to help others.
Pakistan's airlines do not always let you pick a seat for free. On PIA you can reserve one in advance for a fee, and choosing the wrong row can cost you the seat on the day. We read PIA's Preferred Seat and Extra Leg Room pages on 11 October 2026. Below is what each seat type is, how to reserve one, who PIA bars from the exit row and what to do before you pay.
PIA offers Standard, Priority and Extra Legroom seats
PIA's Select Your Seat option lets you choose a seat before the flight. The page names three types.
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Standard | All regular seats, including window and aisle |
| Priority | Front row seats that let you leave the plane quickly |
| Extra Legroom | Front row and emergency exit row seats with more space |
Choose Standard if you only care about a window or an aisle, or about sitting next to your family. Choose Priority if you have a tight connection or need to leave fast. Choose Extra Legroom if you are tall or have a bad back.
Extra legroom is available in Economy and in Executive Economy. The fee depends on your class and the region you fly to or from. PIA shows the price only while you book. We could not see a fixed rupee amount on the page, so we do not quote one.
The seat fee is charged per passenger and per leg
PIA states two things about the fee. It is charged for each passenger and for each leg of the trip. A return flight for a family of four has eight legs, so eight seat fees if everyone pays. Work out the total before you click.
The fee can also change when exchange rates move. So the amount on the screen today may not match a booking made next month.
Extra legroom seats are refundable, according to PIA's terms. Ask for the refund in writing if you cancel. For the ticket itself, the PIA ticket booking and refund steps apply.
You can reserve a seat while booking or afterwards
PIA lets you pre-reserve in two stages.
- At the time of booking, on the PIA website or mobile app, by calling the PIA Contact Centre on 111-786-786, or through PIA counters, booking offices and sales agents.
- After booking, by logging in to My Booking on the website or app, by calling the Contact Centre, or through the counters and agents.
- Pay as PIA says: cash at a PIA ticket office, or credit or debit card on the website and app.
- Check the seat number on your e-ticket and again at check-in.
If you plan to check in online, do the seat step first. The PIA online check-in guide explains when that window opens.
Exit row seats come with duties and a list of exclusions
An exit row seat has the most legroom, but PIA says you may be asked to open the emergency door in an emergency. You must accept these conditions when you buy.
To sit there you must:
- be at least 15 years old,
- read and understand English or Urdu,
- be ready to follow the cabin crew's instructions,
- be physically able to operate the exit door, and
- be able and willing to help crew and other passengers in an evacuation.
PIA does not allow these passengers in an exit row:
- women who are pregnant, and anyone travelling with an infant,
- children under 15, with or without an adult, and infants,
- people whose movement is partly or fully limited by an obvious physical or mental impairment, age or sickness,
- passengers who are overweight and may not be able to move quickly near the exit, and
- people who are under legal, law enforcement or administrative proceedings or in custody.
PIA can check your eligibility at any time after check-in, during the flight and until arrival. In plain words: if the crew decides you cannot do the job, they can move you. The page does not say whether the seat fee is refunded if you are moved, so ask PIA before you pay if you are unsure.
Passengers who need help moving should use PIA's special assistance service instead. See our guide to PIA special assistance and wheelchairs.
Check three things before you pay for a seat
First, see whether the fee is worth it on a short flight. On a short domestic hop, extra legroom matters little. On a long flight to London or Toronto it can be worth the money.
Second, check that your whole group is booked on the same flight. Seat fees are per person, per leg, so a missed connection leaves you paying again.
Third, read the exit row list above and be honest. Paying for the seat and then being moved is the worst outcome. For late or cancelled flights, see what airlines owe you in Pakistan.
Common questions
Can I choose my seat on PIA for free?
PIA says its Select Your Seat option comes with a small fee. The fee depends on your class and region. The page does not list a free option.
How much is a PIA extra legroom seat?
PIA does not print a fixed price. It depends on your class and route and appears during booking. Check the amount on the screen before you pay.
Can a child sit in the exit row on PIA?
No. PIA does not allow children under 15 in an exit row, with or without an adult. Infants and passengers travelling with infants are also excluded.
Can I change my seat after I book?
You can add a preferred seat after booking through My Booking, the Contact Centre, a PIA counter or an agent.
Are extra legroom seats refundable?
Yes. PIA's terms say extra legroom seats are refundable. Keep your receipt and ask for the refund when you cancel.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 11 October 2026. The seat types, fees rules, booking channels and exit row conditions come from PIA's Preferred Seat page and Extra Leg Room page. PIA says charges change and show during booking. We did not see rupee amounts, so none are quoted. We did not book a seat to test the process.
About the author
Public Services and Education Journalist
Fajr Riaz is a journalist and content writer at Pakistan Era, based in Lahore. She covers the questions people meet in everyday life in Pakistan: how a public service works, what a change in the rules means, and where to find a reliable answer.
