Cost of seat reservation increased - BA

[bighal]

You can still select your seats from whats available when OLCI opens at -24hrs.
You may find that if you leave it to check in at the airport or wait until just before check in closes that you are put in the only availabe seats that are left.

If you book a hand baggage only fare then you will be allocated seats unless you pay to select seats. All other tickets you can select your seat for free at -24hrs.

[Peko]

Originally Posted by Melbatb

But you can't now with BA! They will allocate you seats and if you want to move them, they charge you for the luxury!

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The only BA bookings for which this applies are those on Basic Economy (Hand Baggage Only) fares, and these only exist on short haul routes.

All long haul flights and all other fares on short haul flights allow free seat selection from the opening of online check in. On this sub-forum, most posts will be about transatlantic flights, and those still qualify for free seating at check in time with BA (as would short haul flights connecting to long haul on the same ticket).

If you are allocated seats by BA prior to OLCI opening, because you have children in the party, you would have to pay to change those prior to check in time, unless you had status with BA/oneworld.

[holidaysaver75]

I spoke to BA about seat reservations the other day and was told the cost now depends where you want to sit. She told me that reserving the front of economy was £51 per leg, moving down (through £44 / £36 / £31 / £25) the further back you went on the plane.

[Peko]

Originally Posted by holidaysaver75

I spoke to BA about seat reservations the other day and was told the cost now depends where you want to sit. She told me that reserving the front of economy was £51 per leg, moving down (through £44 / £36 / £31 / £25) the further back you went on the plane.

See more...

This is correct, and in a given row, the price for the window sections may be different to the centre section. BA moved to dynamic pricing for seat reservations several months ago, and as the OP has noted, the price for a given seat on a particular flight may change over time (up or down) if not booked.

[Wee_Red]

We have paid £33 for the rows behind bulkhead seats in Economy and coming back will be happy with the middle section £15 or window £17. That's if we choose to book on return. Tend to sleep anyway and not fussed about rushing off of the plane on the way home.

[MarkUK]

Originally Posted by holidaysaver75

I spoke to BA about seat reservations the other day and was told the cost now depends where you want to sit. She told me that reserving the front of economy was £51 per leg, moving down (through £44 / £36 / £31 / £25) the further back you went on the plane.

See more...

Wow! - think I'ld rather chance it at the 24hrs free selection

[Big Dog]

Originally Posted by Melbatb

But you can't now with BA! They will allocate you seats and if you want to move them, they charge you for the luxury!

See more...

They don't, I suspect you are thinking the HBO domestic fares where you don't or didn't get a choice

[aly67]

Thanks for all the responses. Much appreciated.

[gavvy]

The Gatwick 777's are being changed for next year with economy going from 9 abreast to 10 - So I would keep checking your seat reservations as they could well change.

[ERICSMUM]

I noticed yesterday that BA's charges differ in Club World according to which seats you want.

I'm not very happy at having to pay in CW anyway, having paid more than £1,500 for my flights !