Exactly so - it is a request and may be denied without giving any particular reason! We would just book you into 14C or 16C instead "due to operational requirements".

As it happens, UM's are usually seated towards the rear of the aircraft anyway, but certain seats are designated for special use - Royalty, Government or Diplomatic Officials, Sky Cot positions for infants, Wheelchair Users seats, UM's, Prisoners, Accused Suspects, Military Deserters/AWOL's under Escort, Deportees / Inadmissibles with or without escorts etc etc. As an airline, we do not have to justify taking specific seats out of general use to anyone.

Sorry - that doesn't sound very friendly. Of course we would normally give you a reason, but certain categories are sensitive (eg) The Police or the Prison Service usually try to remain discreet when ferrying prisoners around in the public eye (and they would never move those considered "dangerous" on public trains, buses or aeroplanes). Similarly, Her Majesty and HM Government expect the utmost discretion - as indeed do most of our customers (you wouldn't want me to tell everyone you were off for a dirty weekend with your secretary now, would you?)

With the new seating policy, however, all the seats available to you will be on view - if we have held seats for a specific purpose, you just won't be able to access them! Passengers with specific status, however, will (for example, someone booking with an infant will see the Sykcot position available, someone else won't!)