Dthorne1918

We booked this ticket through American Airlines but all flights are operated by BA.
They are booked in the (I) and (J) class but BA is wanting $134 dollars each to select seats in business class.

Is this standard? We've never flown on a BA Codeshare flight.

Thanks

DYKWIA

Yes, this is normal. It normally leads to a heated debate whenever it's mentioned (about once a month)

Globaliser

Yes, this is standard BA policy. See BA Seating Policy Guide

If you are a higher-tier member of a oneworld frequent flyer scheme, then you may be entitled to free seat pre-allocation.

ratypus

Yep, BA charge for seat selection in Club World (long-haul business)

Not all Club World seats can be considered equal - the windows are very private, the aisles less so; the 'double bed' middle seats can be great as a couple but would be horrible as a solo traveller; a few window seat are especially coveted because they don't involve stepping over someone else's legs to reach the aisle; if you are on a 747, the Upper Deck seats are the best in the fleet and command an even heavier premium to pre-select (but are normally taken by status card holders for free...)

It's complicated, basically! If you have the energy for it, you will find lots of people here happy to offer advice and help you decide whether it's even worth paying for

Dthorne1918

Thanks guys.

RobDBA

To be clear you will be able to select seats for free at check-in, or a week before if you're Oneworld Ruby. There's a small risk of you getting separated so if that would ruin your trip its worth keeping an eye on the seat map and paying if the cabin is getting full.

Globaliser

On re-reading this post, I noticed these words, which suggest the possibility that in addition to a long-haul sector that's booked in I class, there is an onward short-haul connection that's in J class.

If so, it might be worth pointing out explicitly that for the flights booked in J class, that entails free pre-allocation from the time of booking. If this applies, then you can at least pick your seats on the short-haul sectors now even if you don't want to pay to pick your seats on the long-haul sectors.

NA-Flyer

May I recommend one thing: switch you business class booking to AA operated flights @:-)

BA CW seats are a disaster when compared to AA Business class seats flying across the pond.

allset2travel

Sound advice in general. Might be a bit later for OP to switch.

Agree (my bold).