Seat Selection Nightmare
Oct 4, 2013, 9:23 am
#46
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 932
Cannot agree more. The BA seating policy is great for Silvers, and even better for Golds.
I would be very annoyed if people on the cheap advance purchase fares are selecting the best seats for free in advance, when those booking later on much more expensive fares get shifted to the back of the cabin.
I would be very annoyed if people on the cheap advance purchase fares are selecting the best seats for free in advance, when those booking later on much more expensive fares get shifted to the back of the cabin.
Oct 4, 2013, 9:27 am
#47
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,648
If the seats have already been taken, it would mean
a) other passengers have paid for their seats
b) have status and selected their seats.
In BA's new world, it is not easy to get other passengers to move either on-board or at check-in.
Clearly if you have paid for your seat, you would not take kindly to being asked to move by on-board crew or by other passengers. If BA moved you, they would loose revenue by having to refund for the seat charge.
A status passenger might listen but a true FF is likely to have selected their favourite seat and would also be unlikely to move. In fact, BA current scheme allows anyone to reply "I've paid for this seat" and no one is the wiser.
a) other passengers have paid for their seats
b) have status and selected their seats.
In BA's new world, it is not easy to get other passengers to move either on-board or at check-in.
Clearly if you have paid for your seat, you would not take kindly to being asked to move by on-board crew or by other passengers. If BA moved you, they would loose revenue by having to refund for the seat charge.
A status passenger might listen but a true FF is likely to have selected their favourite seat and would also be unlikely to move. In fact, BA current scheme allows anyone to reply "I've paid for this seat" and no one is the wiser.
Regarding asking another passenger to move seats, this thread discusses this very issue. Personally I wouldn't ask another passenger (or ask an FA to ask them) to move to avoid any embarrassment (yours and/or the other passenger's). Put it down to experience.
Oct 4, 2013, 9:34 am
#49
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 932
I did the same on my last IAD/LHR flight when I was still a blue. Paid for WT+ seat selection which cost something like £20 or £30. Upgraded to CW with Avios about 4 days before the flight and was able to select seats in CW cabin but had to pay the difference between a WT+ fee and the £50 CW fee.
Oct 4, 2013, 9:34 am
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC Silver Hilton Diamond
Posts: 197
I agree. If, as suggested, the flight is rammed in all classes and there are no moves forward and no pairs in WT+ then there will be nothing that can be done at the check-in desk; staff cannot/will not forcibly move passengers to accommodate a couple.
Regarding asking another passenger to move seats, this thread discusses this very issue. Personally I wouldn't ask another passenger (or ask an FA to ask them) to move to avoid any embarrassment (yours and/or the other passenger's). Put it down to experience.
Regarding asking another passenger to move seats, this thread discusses this very issue. Personally I wouldn't ask another passenger (or ask an FA to ask them) to move to avoid any embarrassment (yours and/or the other passenger's). Put it down to experience.
I have no problem asking anyone if they would mind moving - they are free to say no don't see why anyone would be embarassed? The way the seats are spread must be singles and would be surprised if they were chosen as favourite seats - its a bit strange how they all went yesterday though as I was checking all week and the cabin was 2/3's unselected. I don't see why someone in an aisle as a single wouldn't swap for another aisle unless they are part of a group of 3 with the 2 by the window - but they will tell me tomorrow I am sure!!
Oct 4, 2013, 9:39 am
#53
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Sorry to mention a potential fly in the ointment, but does this apply even to Blues? In the back of my mind is a distant recollection that changing seats after OLCI (but before printing a BP) is only available to Golds and Silvers. Has this changed? Does it now include Bronzes? Blues?
Oct 4, 2013, 9:42 am
#54
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Edinburgh
Programs: BAEC Silver Hilton Diamond
Posts: 197
Sorry to mention a potential fly in the ointment, but does this apply even to Blues? In the back of my mind is a distant recollection that changing seats after OLCI (but before printing a BP) is only available to Golds and Silvers. Has this changed? Does it now include Bronzes? Blues?
Oct 4, 2013, 9:49 am
#56
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,648
Oct 4, 2013, 9:55 am
#57
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Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
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I agree. The seat back of 15B tends to get knocked by passing people because the cabin geometry means that in effect it protrudes into the walking route.
But I'm glad that seat change is still available for seacow - at least that difficulty doesn't actually exist.
But I'm glad that seat change is still available for seacow - at least that difficulty doesn't actually exist.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:03 am
#59
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,648
I just think that while some may just say "sorry, I'd rather stay here" and stick their headphones on, others may grudgingly say yes, especially if asked by an FA which could almost seem like an instruction, and end up in what they really consider an inferior seat.
Oct 4, 2013, 10:07 am
#60
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,850
So I suspect there are quite a few people in WTP who are sub-optimally seated, and / or some early WT upgrades into that area. The latter will typically be singles, who end up in the middle seats, however if families or colleagues are on separate bookings they may also not like their new location or even the upgrade.
11K is a great seat to bargain with, so long as there isn't a screamer in 11J; less so 12E and 15B but some people would prefer that to 13E.
seacow - any more movement now that London OLCI is open?