When did British Airways start charging for seats?
A BA spokeswoman said: From October 7 2009, British Airways is launching a new service to give customers more control over their seating options. Customers will now be able to select their seats when booking and secure exit row seats for a fee.
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If you don't choose your seats in advance, we'll do our best to seat your family together a few days before your flight departs. However, the seat selection may be limited at that time and your seats may be split across different rows or the aisle.
Unless you've booked a Basic ticket (economy, hand-baggage only), you can choose your seat for free when check-in opens (24 hours before departure). We'll allocate you a seat for free when check-in opens. You can then pay to change to a different seat, although your choice may be limited.
In fact, most regular airlines now charge for seat selection anyways. It's often around $10-$30 per seat per flight segment, so if you cave in and pay for that, it can add up quickly. You shouldn't do it. No matter which airline you're flying on, don't ever pay to select a seat.
Pajamas. Some first-class flyers on luxury airlines may receive a set of pajamas to wear on their flight. As airlines cannot reuse these pajamas, these pajamas are yours to keep after the flight, according to David Adler, founder and CEO of The Travel Secret.
The law prohibits airlines from imposing fees that are not reasonable and proportional to the costs it incurs. But airlines really went too far when they began charging families with young children for seat assignments, sometimes even suggesting parents could be separated from their kids if they didn't pay.
For passengers who prefer a better view with a window seat and direct aisle access along the upper deck, seats 53A, 53K, 59A, and 59K are their best bets. If seating along the lower deck is preferred, still with a window view plus direct aisle access, 15A and 15K are the best choices.
Let's break down what this actually means: On most airline basic economy tickets, you won't be able to select your seat ahead of time. Instead, you'll be assigned one at check-in or the gate. So you're not any more likely than any other passenger to get bumped from the flight.
After you finish booking your flight (or during the process, depending on the airline), you should click to view the seat map and make your pick. If you book your flight with friends or family members on the same reservation, they will likely be assigned seats nearby automatically.
During the Online check-in, you may confirm the seat number that you have selected, or to select another seat. Please note that seat change is eligible until one hour before the flight departs. Please also be sure to issue a new boarding pass after you have changed seats.
You will likely get assigned a seat during check-in (though you should still skip it if the airline tries to tack on a fee) or, at the very least, at the gate. Again: You don't have to select a seat in order to get a seat.
If you don't choose your seats in advance, we always do our best to seat your family together based on flight seat availability. This may mean that you'll be seated in adjacent rows or across the aisle. All children under 12 will be seated with an accompanying adult. Anyone over 12 may be seated separately.
On popular routes, this first lot of reward seats can go quite quickly. However, on most flights, BA releases more reward BA Reward Flights seats, over time, in some cases even on the day of departure. This depends on how well other tickets are selling. These seats can be released at any time, day or night.
If you were not able to make an advance seat assignment, keep an eye on the seat map as these seats will begin to open up once check-in begins and then once the gate opens for the flight. If you see a note to see the agent on your boarding pass, you may be in luck.
For all fare classes, except Basic Economy, you will be able to pick your seat or change your seat assignment. If you have a Basic Economy ticket, you're able to purchase a seat assignment during booking and up until check-in opens. Learn more about Basic Economy restrictions.