I actually had a passenger moved similiarly for 'operationl reasons' in this case it was due the fact that ife wasnt working in the particular seat but the airport said that the seat might be still later used if the ife could be fixed.

So yes they are genuine reasons.ive actually seen the reasons for seats being moved are far more often due to the curtain being moved on shorthaul or an aircraft change rather than anything to do with gold status card holders.

In fact while there is a department for seating requests in the few years ive been at ba ive never had a gold call up to request seats that were already taken or seen a request like that confirmed. I think its maybe possible for them to do it if was a TCP request for passengers travelling with a gold on seperate booking to be sat with them but i havent saw this happen.

It could certainly to be to accomodate families as the seating request team would assign seats to any groups of passengers where children are under 12 to ensure they are sat with adults they are going with.

Tbh as call centre agents unless we spoke to direct to the airport direct we would t know the reason. Bookings wouldnt show the reason just the seat number changed and then a note saying moved for operational reasons and its used as a cover all because there are so many different reasons!

**** all opinions are my own and dont represent ba or iag*****