in response to this and other posts that raise this.

BA does not require anyone to pay for seats. It’s purely optional.

BA have been charging for years. It’s not a new thing,

If you aren’t bothered where you sit then don’t pay.

BA prices seats so as to discourage non status passengers from paying so that more sears are available for those with status to access either when booking (BA Gold and Silver) or seven days before departure for Bronze (and of course their OW equivalents) but it will willingly accept your cash if you do.

See the numerous threads on the BA board where seemingly every week someone starts a new thread and the explanations given there,