Originally Posted by
BA Loyal
On this flight there are dozens of empty seats in the priority section and only pairs together in the "kettle" section...
Can you confirm that the agent was correct and that *Gold members have no access to these seats?
Correct; no reciprocal seating benefits with Star Alliance members except CO with UA; You will get priority boarding with your *A gold card but not seating.
You can pay for the exit rows now and have your entire group (as long as the youngest is 15 or more) sit together in an exit row but that costs $.
When you get to the airport and check-in at the Elite counter, if you ask very nicely the CO rep may sit you all together in the front of the Y cabin. As somebody already said it does not have more legroom (like UA E+ does) but on some planes there are outlets if that is important for you.
Since you will board with the elite group, you should be OK with the luggage space.