7 seat map sitesThe seat map sites, compared honestly.
SeatGuru closed in November 2025. Here's how SeatMap, with live open seats and Seat Watch alerts, compares with the seat map sites people use instead: AeroLOPA, ExpertFlyer, SeatMaps, SeatMaestro and AwardFares, with every fact checked on each site's own pages.
SeatMap against each one
A page per site: what it does well, where SeatMap goes further, and when to use it instead.
Every site at a glance
The features people check first. Point at a mark for the detail, or open a site's page for all of it.
| SeatMap | SeatGuru | AeroLOPA | ExpertFlyer | SeatMaps | SeatMaestro | AwardFares | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Still online | Yes: Yes | No: No; it closed in November 2025 and redirects to Tripadvisor | Yes: Yes; its apps were updated in October 2026 | Yes: Yes | Yes: Yes; it says seat maps are published weekly | Partly: Online, but its seat map pages last changed in April 2022, per its sitemap | Yes: Yes |
| Seats drawn to scale | Yes: Every seat drawn to scale | Not stated | Yes: Drawn to scale by hand, with every window | Partly: Detailed view on Premium and Elite, powered by AeroLOPA; a simple diagram otherwise | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Free without an account | Yes: Search any flight and see its seat map without signing in | Yes: Yes, no sign-in was needed | Yes: Yes for the maps; seat recommendations need a free account | No: No; searching signed out opens a sign-up box | Yes: Yes, no sign-up to view seat maps | Yes: Yes, no sign-up to view seat maps | No: No; seat maps need a login, with 5 lookups a month on the free plan |
| Open and taken seats on your flight | Yes: Open and taken seats, live from the airline, with Pro | No: No; it had no link to airline reservation systems | No: No | Yes: Available, occupied and blocked seats; a basic map on Free | No: Not for travelers; live availability is sold to businesses through its API | No: No; maps are static images | Yes: Open, taken and blocked seats, live, within your plan's monthly lookups |
| Best open seat picked for you | Yes: The best open seat picked for you, with Pro | No: No; seats were colour-coded | Yes: Recommendations when signed in; its Pro assistant ranks every seat | No: No | No: No; seats are colour-coded by comfort | No: No; seats are marked good or beware | No: No |
| Watch a seat until it opens | Yes: Seat Watch in the SeatMap app: 1 free, 5 with Pro | No: No | No: No | Yes: Watch a seat, any window, aisle or exit row, or 2 seats together, by email or SMS | No: No | No: No | No: No |
| Route alerts when seats open | Yes: Route alerts in the SeatMap app: 1 free, 5 with Pro | No: None | Partly: Alerts when your seat map or aircraft changes, not when seats open | No: No; its seat alerts are set per flight | No: None found | No: No; an email newsletter only | Partly: Alerts for award seats on a route, not for seats on the map |
| Seat ratings | Yes: Every seat scored out of 10 for legroom, width, recline and where it sits | Yes: Good, Be Aware, Bad, Mixed or Standard, with comments on hover | Yes: Good, Be Aware or Avoid for every seat | Partly: Seat type and known limits on the Detailed view (Premium and Elite) | Yes: Seats marked more comfort, mixed features or reduced comfort | Yes: Good, good-but-beware and beware colours for each seat | No: No; it flags premium, paid and blocked seats |
| Two flights side by side | Yes: Two flights' cabins side by side, seat scores and legroom included | Partly: Cabin charts across airlines, not two flights | Partly: Airlines compared for each aircraft type, not two flights | No: No side-by-side seat maps | Yes: Compare mode for flights on a route | No: No; you compare the tables page by page | No: No; you switch cabins on one flight |
Checked November 4, 2026. On SeatMap, live seats and the best-seat pick come with Pro; Seat Watch and route alerts are in the SeatMap app.
Which one should you use?
It depends on the job. Here's the short answer for each.
Flying often?
Pro goes further.
See which seats are open right now, get the best one picked for you, and hear the moment a better one frees up.
Frequently asked questions
Which seat map sites show live seat availability?
SeatMap (with Pro), ExpertFlyer and AwardFares show open and taken seats on a specific flight. AeroLOPA, SeatMaps and SeatMaestro show layouts only; SeatMaps sells live availability to businesses.
Which seat map sites are free?
SeatMaps and SeatMaestro are free with ads, and AeroLOPA's website is free. SeatMap is free to search, with Pro at $19.99 a month or $99.99 a year. ExpertFlyer and AwardFares have free plans that need an account and come with limits.
Which seat maps are drawn to scale?
SeatMap and AeroLOPA draw seats to scale, and AeroLOPA also marks every window. ExpertFlyer's detailed view, on Premium and Elite, is powered by AeroLOPA. The others don't say.
Can any of them alert me when a better seat opens?
SeatMap and ExpertFlyer can. SeatMap's Seat Watch alerts you when a seat you picked opens, and its route alerts when seats open on a route: one of each free in the SeatMap app, five with Pro. ExpertFlyer sends seat alerts by email or SMS. AwardFares' alerts are for award seats, and AeroLOPA alerts you when your aircraft or seat map changes.
How did you check these facts?
We read each product's own pricing, help and app store pages on November 4, 2026, and SeatGuru's archived pages and news reports. Each comparison page links its sources.
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