Sounds like you have been assigned a seat in the first row of Euro Traveller. The port side pair at the front of the cabin are arguably the most popular seats in the cabin but selecting these in advance comes with a health warning. As the curtain may move forward or back depending on loading, you may find yourself evicted at the eleventh hour and reassigned a seat elsewhere.

Row 9 is the overwing exit row.

You can read up on the cabin characteristics of BA's short haul fleet here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showp...17&postcount=5