This is of course a well-trodden topic but since we're all rehashing our submissions, may I chip in with mine again?
I understand that it might impact upon the price comparison between BA and another carrier, but I wonder if they ought to have had an 'all-inclusive' price with a £65 discount if you didn't want to select a seat in CW. Short-haul is a far more price sensitive kettle of fish and I accept that all carriers want to advertise the lowest headline price possible.
Originally Posted by
KARFA
EDIT: and as teledude noted the seat selection fees have been around for a few years now (2009?) so presumably you are fully aware of them since yoiu have flown with BA a few times every year?
The OP identified himself as a civil servant. I'm not, but have done some contract work for HMG and flown BA on tickets booked by under the HMG umbrella. Like some corporate accounts, I always had free seat selection from the point of booking irrespective of fare class or cabin.
Lastly, I flew Qantas/Emirates last week in Y and J on a last minute ticket which really was booked into Y and J class (odd travel policy - half the building must have signed off on me flying Business Class) and I couldn't select anything other than a middle seat on any flight. At LHR, Qantas took pity on me and moved me to an exit row, Emirates did the same in Dubai. On the whole, I prefer the BA policy as it rewards frequent flyers and nerds who try and check-in as close to T-24 as possible!