MSE News: British Airways to charge passengers up to £18 to pre-select a seat

Murphy_The_Cat

Pincher wrote: »

Who actually pays for babies if they don't have to?

I've always paid for a seat for my tiny sprogs, been happy to do it and have enjoyed many long haul flights with them because of it :beer:

dickydonkin

Pincher wrote: »

Keep that silly idea going.


It is very rare that the luggage turns up quicker than me, even if I am the last to step out of the plane.

That is based on the assumption that a passenger is travelling with hold luggage - many don't - and those I allude to prefer to board early to ensure that there is plenty of space in the overhead bins to accommodate their hand luggage.

fifeken

KTF wrote: »

There are specific seats that have additional masks for infants so they shouldn't be swapping seats for them.

Not quite.

Every row has additional oxygen mask(s) for lap children, but the total occupants in a row, including the lap children, should not exceed the number of masks.

Cabin crew will enforce this, but they may not notice it if people move in-flight.

Pollycat

But from 26 March (this Thursday), British Airways will start allocating seats for all passengers – including for its frequent flyer members – 24 hours before the flight for those who buy hand baggage only fares (these are only available on short-haul flights).

So - it only applies to pax who don't take hold luggage and only on short-haul routes.

Personally, I'll sit in whichever seat BA give me for 3 or 4 hours - even if my other half is at the opposite side and end of the cabin - rather than pay £18 to change.

But it is up to each individual to decide if it is worth paying to sit together.
If you don't like BA policy, choose an alterative airline.
If no other airline flies to your chosen destination, either pay up or risk being separated.

Pincher

dickydonkin wrote: »

That is based on the assumption that a passenger is travelling with hold luggage - many don't - and those I allude to prefer to board early to ensure that there is plenty of space in the overhead bins to accommodate their hand luggage.

It's the same as hogging the train carriage door so other people can't get off.


When boarding, the people putting hand luggage away in the front rows block everyone getting on the plane. Once upon a time, they used to board the back of the plane first, so I can get on, put my hand luggage away with ease.


By overloading the front rows, the overhead compartments become packed, and it takes even more time shuffling to make space. Spread out, relax.

imho

Last year my daughter with her 2 children and me flew with BA to Trinidad and all baby seats were already booked. When we got on the flight they were booked by people without children as they had paid £50 each to have those seats.So a 8 month old baby and 2 year old child and me shared 3 seats squashed into the row behind these people who paid for baby seats.I complained to the Steward but got no where with it.

Pollycat

imho wrote: »

Last year my daughter with her 2 children and me flew with BA to Trinidad and all baby seats were already booked. When we got on the flight they were booked by people without children as they had paid £50 each to have those seats.

It's probably me but I don't understand what 'baby seats' mean.

imho wrote: »

So a 8 month old baby and 2 year old child and me shared 3 seats squashed into the row behind these people who paid for baby seats.I complained to the Steward but got no where with it.

That's 3 seats for 1 adult, a 2 year old and a baby.
Do you mean you, your daughter, the 2 year old and the 8 month old baby shared 3 seats?

This is what BA website says:

When you travel with an infant (under 2 years) who won't be travelling in a seat of their own, you can reserve a seat for yourself and everyone in your booking, free of charge, as soon as you've made your booking. If you don't choose a seat in advance, we'll allocate a seat for you three days before departure.
If your infant is less than two years old and you haven't reserved a carrycot position, your infant can sit on your lap using an extension seat belt. The cabin crew will provide this for you and show you how to use the seat belt.

It may have changed since you flew but it says you can reserve seats foc.

Caz3121

imho wrote: »

Last year my daughter with her 2 children and me flew with BA to Trinidad and all baby seats were already booked. When we got on the flight they were booked by people without children as they had paid £50 each to have those seats.So a 8 month old baby and 2 year old child and me shared 3 seats squashed into the row behind these people who paid for baby seats.I complained to the Steward but got no where with it.

British Airways block all the bassinet seats from reserving or checkin for any passengers without an infant until T-72. If these seats have not been reserved at 3 days before the flight then they can be booked by passengers without an infant. Did you book very late or choose not to reserve seats?

Gillovski

When I pay over £500 - £700 + for a flight which is not a budget flight, I find it annoying to then pay extra for my seat allocation. Or try and find internet connection to book in 24 hrs. NOT always possible. This didn't happen yrs ago, you booked yr seat when you booked the flt. Previously I preferred window, but now after a hip op and needing to get up and move a bit for other pax comfort I opt for aisle. My flts are 5 1/2 - 9 hrs (ME or N. America). Would you be happy with me asking you to move every hour or so as I wasn't able to get aisle seat.

Pollycat

Gillovski wrote: »

When I pay over £500 - £700 + for a flight which is not a budget flight, I find it annoying to then pay extra for my seat allocation. Or try and find internet connection to book in 24 hrs. NOT always possible. This didn't happen yrs ago, you booked yr seat when you booked the flt. Previously I preferred window, but now after a hip op and needing to get up and move a bit for other pax comfort I opt for aisle. My flts are 5 1/2 - 9 hrs (ME or N. America). Would you be happy with me asking you to move every hour or so as I wasn't able to get aisle seat.

If you need a specific seat for whatever reason, then pay to book it.
After all, it's your comfort as well as the passengers sat in middle & aisle seats.