I guess that many passengers don't care too much about where they sit, as long as they get their preference of aisle/middle/window etc.

However BA's nickel and diming policy of charging for seat selection in CW is just barmy to me (from a passenger's perspective). I completely understand their view point that it contributes to revenues and is something they can get away with (well they are still in business some years after introducing this policy).

However, let me use one example to illustrate why I think it's a self harming policy.

BA's revenue management policy is generally to charge a lot of money for tickets booked close to departure. Let's say I want to fly LHR-HKG, departing on Mon 29th Dec, returning on Sun 4th Jan in CW (booking today).

The current BA.com fare for this itinerary is £6066, booking into D class. This therefore means that seat selection is not free (for non status pax).

The same itinerary on CX is £5115, including free seat selection.

Forgetting the fare difference, how do BA think they'll entice paying CW fares, when they slap on extra fees like this too?

I think the final proof is that many corporates with negotiated fares don't stand for this nonsense; seat selection is free on their tickets.