Economy basic OLCI seat selection strategy?
#16
Join Date: Apr 2008
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#17
Join Date: Dec 2014
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In particular -
Can one select seats for both segments of a connecting flight after T-24 from the first segment (but more than 24 hours before the second segment)?
Or, if not, can one at least select seats for the second segment (after its T-24) from a different airport?
And, in either case, does checking in at a kiosk lock in the selected seat (e.g., by printing a boarding pass), or is it still possible to switch to a different seat (in the app, or by using the kiosk again) later?
Also (and less critically), once I have a boarding pass, can I go through security to access an airside lounge, even though I'll be leaving the airport and won't be flying out until the next day?
#18
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Yes you can. As an example, say you are going Canada to somewhere in Europe, with a connection at LHR. When the long haul check in opens, you can check in for the short haul within Europe as well, even though it is more than 24 hours to that segment.
#19
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Is this all 24 hours check in valid at the kiosks? I may well be wrong but whilst olci can be done 24 hours ahead, I always thought the kiosks could only be used same day (I know its true of many other airlines so good if ba is more flexible!)
also isnt the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I dont think there is any?
also isnt the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I dont think there is any?
#20
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Is this all 24 hours check in valid at the kiosks? I may well be wrong but whilst olci can be done 24 hours ahead, I always thought the kiosks could only be used same day (I know its true of many other airlines so good if ba is more flexible!)
also isnt the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I dont think there is any?
also isnt the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I dont think there is any?
#22
Join Date: Oct 2014
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You would not get through security at heathrow with a bp for the following day.
#23
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Is this all 24 hours check in valid at the kiosks? I may well be wrong but whilst olci can be done 24 hours ahead, I always thought the kiosks could only be used same day (I know it’s true of many other airlines so good if ba is more flexible!)
also isn’t the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I don’t think there is any?
also isn’t the only aspire lounge airside? The op was asking for a landslide lounge and I don’t think there is any?
One time when I was assigned a middle seat via OLCI and the check in desks were closed, I even managed to get a BA lounge agent to change my seat at the reception desk even though I wasn't entering the lounge (there was no line and she was happy to help). I then proceeded to the lounge next door with my Lounge Key card and my freshly printed boarding pass.
#25
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it doesnt matter if you are originating or connecting. You still cant get in to the airside departures area unless you have a bp for a flight that day. Departing and arriving passengers are segregated. If your onward flight is the next day you will have to exit through arrivals and go landside.
#26
Join Date: Oct 2014
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JFK may have machines, not sure, not many outstations do any more. They may be more willing to check you in the day before. @corporate-wage-slave may be able to comment better
Last edited by scottishpoet; Aug 9, 2019 at 5:54 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
I am not sure what the policy would be there. I doubt FCO has machines and I suspect the check in staff there may not let you check in at a desk the day before the flight.
JFK may have machines, not sure, not many outstations do any more. They may be more willing to check you in the day before. @corporate_wage_slave may be able to comment better
JFK may have machines, not sure, not many outstations do any more. They may be more willing to check you in the day before. @corporate_wage_slave may be able to comment better
Is there a complete list of check-in machines anywhere? I can't find one on ba.com. I'd rather not make a special trip to the airport in vain.
If I can't select a decent seat before my flight, will I still be able to use the check-in kiosk to change my seat while connecting at LHR, or is it too late by then? On my return trip (FCO-LHR-JFK), I do plan to leave the airport, so I'd have physical access to the machines on my way out, but I don't know if they'd work after I've already flown one of two segments.
If there are no machines at JFK or FCO, am I better off waiting until I arrive at the airport for my flight to check-in without having even attempted OLCI, or should I go through OLCI without generating a boarding pass? I'd very much prefer a window seat on the TATL segments - don't care as much about the short-haul segments (but ideally a window would be nice there, too).
#28
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I am sorry but I think very few airports have the machines. A number of airports had the machines removed, eg Glasgow.
I also suspect the agent at JFK will check you in for your flight to FCO even if it is next day (and vice versa). Check in times on the connecting flight can exceed 24 hours.
There may be machines at JFK but I never checked in there so do not know
I also suspect the agent at JFK will check you in for your flight to FCO even if it is next day (and vice versa). Check in times on the connecting flight can exceed 24 hours.
There may be machines at JFK but I never checked in there so do not know
#29
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The airports that allow you to check in day before are EDI and LGW
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ng/checking-in
https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...ng/checking-in
#30
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If there are no machines at JFK or FCO, am I better off waiting until I arrive at the airport for my flight to check-in without having even attempted OLCI, or should I go through OLCI without generating a boarding pass? I'd very much prefer a window seat on the TATL segments - don't care as much about the short-haul segments (but ideally a window would be nice there, too).
For the OLCI versus boarding pass - on Basic tickets I don't think delaying the printing will make a difference, your allocated seat will stick unless something unusual happens (equipment change, requirement to keep children together or to line up with the oxygen masks). I'm not sure that delaying OLCI will make a difference either other than it makes it easier for "something unusual" to shift you - and that could be either a positive or negative change.
If the purpose of this is to guarantee a window seat, you will need to pay. If the flights aren't full then you have a reasonable chance of getting one at the airport. If the flights are full then you may struggle since window seats are more popular than aisle seats.