Seat Reservation [Group booking]
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA Exec. Club Bronze
Posts: 58
Seat Reservation [Group booking]
Hello all,
As you are aware, to reserve seats in advance can be very expensive with BA, especially when travelling in groups.
So my question is, is there any way that you know of to reserve a seat for just one member of a group? By calling, for example?
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! A-L
As you are aware, to reserve seats in advance can be very expensive with BA, especially when travelling in groups.
So my question is, is there any way that you know of to reserve a seat for just one member of a group? By calling, for example?
Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! A-L
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA Exec. Club Bronze
Posts: 58
#4
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: UK, Peak District near MAN
Programs: BA- blue, BD,DL
Posts: 2,027
#6
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Programs: BA Oneworld
Posts: 582
I can't comment on group bookings, but what you are suggesting is not possible for family bookings. The reason for this is that minor children are always seated with at least one adult family member and it would be an easy ruse if one adult were permitted to reserve (and pay) for just one prime seat and be safe in the knowledge that the minors would be allocated the adjacent seats (effectively for free). The good thing is that seating with children is always allocated 3 days in advance of check-in rather than the normal 24 hours.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA Exec. Club Bronze
Posts: 58
I can't comment on group bookings, but what you are suggesting is not possible for family bookings. The reason for this is that minor children are always seated with at least one adult family member and it would be an easy ruse if one adult were permitted to reserve (and pay) for just one prime seat and be safe in the knowledge that the minors would be allocated the adjacent seats (effectively for free). The good thing is that seating with children is always allocated 3 days in advance of check-in rather than the normal 24 hours.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,793
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...travel/seating
If you don’t choose your seats in advance, we’ll do our best to seat your family together a few days before your flight departs, from the limited selection of seats available. This might result in your family being split over different rows or across the aisle, however we will make sure each child under 12 is seated with an adult from your booking. Anyone over 12 years is treated as an adult in our system, so we may seat them separately.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA Exec. Club Bronze
Posts: 58
See this page at ba.com:
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...travel/seating
http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/...travel/seating
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,168
Not really.
BA tries to sit groups (well when made on the same booking) together.
It's harder as well if the group (and you don't say how large your group is or if includes babies / infants or cabin class) has lap babies in it as seat allocation then has to take into account the location of the extra O2 masks which then makes it harder to switch seats.
BA tries to sit groups (well when made on the same booking) together.
It's harder as well if the group (and you don't say how large your group is or if includes babies / infants or cabin class) has lap babies in it as seat allocation then has to take into account the location of the extra O2 masks which then makes it harder to switch seats.
#11
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,470
I believe the answer is yes, but only once check-in opens (i.e. at the same time everyone else who hasn't pre-selected gets a look-in). You probably shouldn't expect too much to be available if you're hoping to get a reasonably large group together though, I'm afraid.
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Is this a group booking as in a family which simply booked its tickets together or a group which booked through a tour company, TA or other means?
Also, is there a special reason for selecting a seat for the one individual beyond the ordinary, e.g. "wants a nicer seat" such as medical needs and the like?
The nature of the booking and the reason for this individual's need may provide some greater help to you.
Also, is there a special reason for selecting a seat for the one individual beyond the ordinary, e.g. "wants a nicer seat" such as medical needs and the like?
The nature of the booking and the reason for this individual's need may provide some greater help to you.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
If this is an actual group booking ie more than 9 people travelling you will be unable to use manage my booking including online check in. As mentioned by others seats will be assigned.
If it is a booking of several people travelling together upto 9(non group booking) then you can pre pay for seats for just one or more passengers if you call.
If there is an infant on the booking you can assign seats for free for everyone from point of booking. If there are children below 12 on the booking seats are assigned for free 72 hours from departure.
If it is a booking of several people travelling together upto 9(non group booking) then you can pre pay for seats for just one or more passengers if you call.
If there is an infant on the booking you can assign seats for free for everyone from point of booking. If there are children below 12 on the booking seats are assigned for free 72 hours from departure.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,657
I can't comment on group bookings, but what you are suggesting is not possible for family bookings. The reason for this is that minor children are always seated with at least one adult family member and it would be an easy ruse if one adult were permitted to reserve (and pay) for just one prime seat and be safe in the knowledge that the minors would be allocated the adjacent seats (effectively for free). The good thing is that seating with children is always allocated 3 days in advance of check-in rather than the normal 24 hours.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: BA Exec. Club Bronze
Posts: 58
Thank you for all the very helpful responses. Particularly anonba, good to know. It is a family booking, with 2 adults and 1 under 12.
I think I will try calling and reserving a seat only for one of the adults, then the remaining two should be seated together.
Thanks again for all help!
I think I will try calling and reserving a seat only for one of the adults, then the remaining two should be seated together.
Thanks again for all help!