MSE News: British Airways to charge for seat selection

bagand96

I don't fly BA regularly but earlier this year I had four flights with them and on at least two I picked my seat when doing the on-line check in. I remember it as I was even allowed to pick the exit row which was a surprise.

People will still be able to choose their seats free at online check-in. Just that if they want to guarantee their seat numbers at the time of booking they will have to pay. Also if they exit seats there will be a premium - and why not, it is a better seat after all.

Although I can see the point that they are creating a "new service", my worry as a family would about our ability to get seats together (without paying of course) - BA used to have a policy about this so will be interesting to see if a) the policy has been changed or whether b) they will cover themselves a la easy jet by saying that customers can pay for the priveledge

Minors have to be sat with the adult that is responsible for them. BA wont start splitting up families. If you look at the BA website regarding the new policy:

-Passengers travelling with Infants can choose their seats at the time of booking free of charge
-Passengers travelling with children aged 2-11 will be allocated seats 3 days before departure. These seats can be changed at the time of online checkin.

inflationbusting

It is still 72 hours for families. Pretty much certain that you'll be able to sit together, although exit seats would be unlikely.

Of course the number of exit rows vary by aircraft type but there are a load of exemptions, anyone with a fully flexible ticket (I would guess these people would be business travellers whose ticket is paid for) but also infants and those with disabilities get to choose the seat on booking for free.

On something like a 737, there may be just one exit row, giving a max of 6 'premium' seats. Which, it's likely will be fully booked by the exemptions above before anyone can get to them. After all, these seats are worth something now, when they were not in the past.

Perhaps BA will start charging for food next.

Doshwaster

old_motters wrote: »

£20 for a pre-booked exit row seat on a Long Haul economy flight. Sounds like bargain to me.

That said, I don't like being charged to select my seat when I've already paid for the ticket. Why does the airline care where I sit on the plane, surely I should get to choose since it doesn't impact them.

The airline doesn't care where you sit - but some passengers do. In fact they care enough in order to be willing to pay for certain seats.

Personally, I don't really care where I am sat as long as I have an aisle seat.

qwerty123456

fifeken wrote: »

I'm not sure I agree.

I don't fly BA regularly but earlier this year I had four flights with them and on at least two I picked my seat when doing the on-line check in. I remember it as I was even allowed to pick the exit row which was a surprise. When I selected the exit row another box popped up for me to confirm I was capable of opening the door etc. if required, which is usually the reason given for not being allowed to pre-select exit rows.

PS I have no status with them.

And you will continue to be able to check in online 24 hours before departure free of charge as you do now (this is an additional service). If any exit rows have not been purchased/allocated by status holders they will be available from T-24.

Paul_Herring

fifeken wrote: »

I'm not sure I agree.

I don't fly BA regularly but earlier this year I had four flights with them and on at least two I picked my seat when doing the on-line check in. I remember it as I was even allowed to pick the exit row which was a surprise.

This isn't changing (or being charged for):

the majority of economy and business class passengers can pre-book seats on the airline for a fee at time of booking up to 24 hours before departure, when online check-in commences and seat choice is free.

As long as they don't start charging for that, I've no complaints.

A_fiend_for_life

bagand96 wrote: »

We don't have a "National airline" (well, there is one exception that has a very sizeable fleet with a lot of varied aircraft, but we can't buy tickets for that one!!)

There are exceptions. Depends where you are going:

http://www.falklands.info/factfile/fmod.html

Doshwaster

Gordon Brown has decided that BA are too expensive:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1215414/Gordon-Brown-charters-cut-price-Virgin-plane-G20-BA-snub.html

bagand96

Doshwaster wrote: »

Gordon Brown has decided that BA are too expensive:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1215414/Gordon-Brown-charters-cut-price-Virgin-plane-G20-BA-snub.html

Or Virgin Atlantic undercut BA, and offered an absolutely silly (and probably loss making) price just to get the kudos and press coverage :rolleyes:

thefenman

BA said the move would "give customers more control over their seating options". RUBBISH!

Marketing-speak worthy of Mr O'Leary who must be laughing his socks off.

Now I am going to see if I can cancel my flight to Hong Kong in a couple of months, though I don't think I can.

Maybe I can pull the "special needs" ploy, I need about 27 inches to get my thighs into an airline seat. I've yet to get it if there is a seat in front of me.

dmg24

thefenman wrote: »

BA said the move would "give customers more control over their seating options". RUBBISH!

Marketing-speak worthy of Mr O'Leary who must be laughing his socks off.

Now I am going to see if I can cancel my flight to Hong Kong in a couple of months, though I don't think I can.

Maybe I can pull the "special needs" ploy, I need about 27 inches to get my thighs into an airline seat. I've yet to get it if there is a seat in front of me.

What special need to you have?

I am struggling to see how new measure would affect you?