Day 1 of new seating policy, very disappointing.
Oct 7, 2009, 1:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA Exec
Posts: 40
Day 1 of new seating policy, very disappointing.
Well it's day one of the controversial seating policy. I have a club world flight to JFK booked in a couple of weeks and as I'm currently a Blue member I thought I would get on line this morning and have a look at my seating options. I'm travelling with my partner and want to be sure that we get seated together so I was contemplating forking out an additional £240 on top of the club class fare in order to ensure this.
There is no online option to view available seating or to complete pre-assigned seating, instead you are asked to telephone reservations. Upon telephoning reservations I am informed that they are busy and that I should go on line or call back later. This has been the standard message all morning.
I'm now having second thoughts about pre-assigning my seats. In fact I'm having second thoughts about choosing BA for this trip given the seating hassle and strike threat which appears to be looming.
There is no online option to view available seating or to complete pre-assigned seating, instead you are asked to telephone reservations. Upon telephoning reservations I am informed that they are busy and that I should go on line or call back later. This has been the standard message all morning.
I'm now having second thoughts about pre-assigning my seats. In fact I'm having second thoughts about choosing BA for this trip given the seating hassle and strike threat which appears to be looming.
Oct 7, 2009, 1:45 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 862
If you want to see what seats are available get a free 5-day subscription at: www.expertflyer.com - that'll show all available seats.
Then when you get through tell them what seats you want. Also we'd all be very interested if you ask for an upper-deck seat (if flying a 747) and what the response is! Apparently they're supposed to be reserved for full fare and status pax.
Just persist with the phones, they're generally very busy this time of morning with it being a peak time in travel.
Then when you get through tell them what seats you want. Also we'd all be very interested if you ask for an upper-deck seat (if flying a 747) and what the response is! Apparently they're supposed to be reserved for full fare and status pax.
Just persist with the phones, they're generally very busy this time of morning with it being a peak time in travel.
Oct 7, 2009, 1:48 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2008
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If you want to see what seats are available get a free 5-day subscription at: www.expertflyer.com - that'll show all available seats.
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Oct 7, 2009, 2:07 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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You do not understand the new BA seating policy. I don't necessarily blame you because of the way BA has publicised this, but you don't understand it.
YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE ALREADY SEATED TOGETHER. You are on the same booking, I assume, so the BA computer will give you 2 adjacent seats automatically in 95% of cases.
The only reason to even contemplate paying the £240 would if you wanted a window pair, but for a short flight like this I wouldn't even bother paying that.
YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE ALREADY SEATED TOGETHER. You are on the same booking, I assume, so the BA computer will give you 2 adjacent seats automatically in 95% of cases.
The only reason to even contemplate paying the £240 would if you wanted a window pair, but for a short flight like this I wouldn't even bother paying that.
Oct 7, 2009, 2:38 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA LTG/GFL, Honors Diamond, Accor Platinum, Bonvoy Silver
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Also having the same issue with the call centre trying to change a fully flex booking - "we're very busy try later or online" line disconnects. Pathetic. I would change it online but its greyed out! Grrrr.
Oct 7, 2009, 2:41 am
#9
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If you want to see what seats are available get a free 5-day subscription at: www.expertflyer.com - that'll show all available seats.
expertflyer should not have to repair BA's inadequacies.YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE ALREADY SEATED TOGETHER. You are on the same booking, I assume, so the BA computer will give you 2 adjacent seats automatically in 95% of cases.
The only reason to even contemplate paying the £240 would if you wanted a window pair, but for a short flight like this I wouldn't even bother paying that.
The only reason to even contemplate paying the £240 would if you wanted a window pair, but for a short flight like this I wouldn't even bother paying that.
Oct 7, 2009, 3:08 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 862
It certainly shouldn't. But till they get in gear and open up the seating plan to accepting payment (which should be a two week job at most) EF is the best option now.
Of course, thinking about this thread I think its quite convenient that someone posts a complaint in hours of the new policy. Call me cynical, but other carriers like bashing BA - does the op work for Virgin?!
Of course, thinking about this thread I think its quite convenient that someone posts a complaint in hours of the new policy. Call me cynical, but other carriers like bashing BA - does the op work for Virgin?!
Oct 7, 2009, 3:11 am
#11
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Can't be bothered .... people prefer to believe press than facts
Last edited by sunrisegirl; Oct 7, 2009 at 4:02 am
Oct 7, 2009, 3:13 am
#12
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He is only repeating what appears in some of todays newspapers and, indeed, in a note from Goldman Sachs I received this morning which was even calculating the potential costs to BA of a strike or strike threat in the coming months.
Oct 7, 2009, 3:20 am
#13
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Then there was the union person interviewed on the radio who talked about 'consulting their members' on industrial inaction. (He called it action.)
Sorry, my eyes glazed over when he started 'quite frankly ...'. Memories of Fred Kite ...
Sorry, my eyes glazed over when he started 'quite frankly ...'. Memories of Fred Kite ...
Oct 7, 2009, 3:25 am
#14
Moderator: GLBT travelers, India-based Airlines and India; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Really? Please don't blame the OP without knowledge of the facts. Time to read today's newspapers perhaps...
Or perhaps a quick online search will reveal articles like:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091007...n-6323e80.html
Analysts are already calculating further potential costs to BA from strikes and adjusting expectations accordingly.
Or perhaps a quick online search will reveal articles like:
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20091007...n-6323e80.html
Analysts are already calculating further potential costs to BA from strikes and adjusting expectations accordingly.
Oct 7, 2009, 3:38 am
#15
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Can't be bothered .... people prefer to believe press than facts
Last edited by sunrisegirl; Oct 7, 2009 at 4:02 am