MSE News: British Airways to charge for seat selection

thefenman

dmg24 wrote: »

What special need to you have?

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

I have very long legs and don't fit airline seats, that's all I am saying. I therefore like to get exit row or other "knee room" seats but can't afford £50 a throw. I booked my flight months ago and object strongly to their shifting the goal posts.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

dmg24

thefenman wrote: »

I have very long legs and don't fit airline seats, that's all I am saying. I therefore like to get exit row or other "knee room" seats but can't afford £50 a throw. I booked my flight months ago and object strongly to their shifting the goal posts.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

You booked an economy class seat. If you were to get an exit row seat upon checking in, that would be a bonus. However, as you did not specifically book an exit row seat, this measure does not automatically cause you a detriment.

You could look at it that this measure is a benefit to you. Yes, you will have to pay, but now you can be guaranteed an exit row seat, whereas previously there was a (pretty high) chance you would not get one. Bonus!

carol49cat

bagand96 wrote: »

I don't see the problem here? This is a new facility that BA are offering, albeit for a charge.


This is not a new facility - it is one that BA offered free of charge until about 4 years ago, something that BA themselves seem to have forgotten. I complained when it was withdrawn and I have asked them today to justify its reintroduction other than as a revenue -raising exercise. The response: "We constantly review our service and have found that many of our customers wanted to select their seats prior to their flight. In response, British Airways has launched a new service to give our customers more control over their seating options."

Am I alone in being fed-up with being ripped off?

Cade_Foster

Doesnt this start a precedent for other companys who offer seat reservations free at the moment to start charging.

dmg24

Cade_Foster wrote: »

Doesnt this start a precedent for other companys who offer seat reservations free at the moment to start charging.

Possibly, or it could be that those that offer this will use it as a marketing tool to promote their own service. I'm sure we will find out soon enough!

PolishBigSpender

dmg24 wrote: »

Possibly, or it could be that those that offer this will use it as a marketing tool to promote their own service. I'm sure we will find out soon enough!

How long before they start offering pre-booked meals on Intercontinental flights to 'guarantee your selection', at a cost of course?

dmg24

PolishBigSpender wrote: »

How long before they start offering pre-booked meals on Intercontinental flights to 'guarantee your selection', at a cost of course?

That is a good point. I recently flew business on NWA and they ran out of one option after the first two rows ... so I hate to think what the choice was like in the back!

iceburn

inflationbusting wrote: »

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.

Isnt it actually international law that ppl who seat in the exit seats are mobile, and of a certain age. In which case families with small children wouldnt be able to book the exit seats free or otherwise anyway.

kevwat83

As we all know these extra "revenues" make a huge difference to an airline, brining in a lot of money..
However, with BA you can still choose your own seat at check in, and I cant see the pre allocated seating being that popular because of the price attached to it.
So i dont see what all the fuss is about, familes with children wont be split up, I work for an airline and i can tell u an aircraft CANT and SHOULDNT take off it a child under 12 has been split up from its parents and is sat alone (at my airline anyway) and if your travelling with an under 2 your seat is usually pre booked anyway as they have to sit in certain parts of the aircraft because of the oxygen supply should there be a need to use it.
Cant see it casuing problems, if you really want to pay to sit in a certain seat then the OPTION is there, if your not bothered where you sit but still like a choice between window or aisle then just wait till check in.

War_2

Whilst this appears good news for some customers, loyal Silver Executive Card holders of BA will no longer be able able to pick an exit row seat when booking on line - which is a reduction in service choice for the frequent loyal flyer. It seems BA has continued to increased the gap between Silver and Gold members of their frequent flyer service. So some winner and some loser (Silver members), but BA is not admitting to any loser. So much for loyalty:mad: