Economy basic OLCI seat selection strategy?
Aug 9, 2019, 6:31 am
#31
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
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Posts: 5,932
Oh, I naively assumed that all major airports with a BA presence must have BA check-in machines.
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).
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).
I am doubt that you would get past the boarding pass check at the JFK Security with a BP for the next day which would scupper your lounge plan.
For me this is all way too much effort
Aug 9, 2019, 6:45 am
#32
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 581
Can anyone recommend a PP landside lounge at LHR that I will be able to access ? I have never been, let alone traveled from LHR.
Son booked my ticket ( He has deep pockets and short arms - and I had to pay ! ), and is currently a passenger on a land train from Perth to Queensland to his flight to BKK ..... for the family gathering. He takes money saving to the extreme level.
Son booked my ticket ( He has deep pockets and short arms - and I had to pay ! ), and is currently a passenger on a land train from Perth to Queensland to his flight to BKK ..... for the family gathering. He takes money saving to the extreme level.
Sep 22, 2019, 8:11 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
The only machines I saw were for AS. Can you describe where the BA machines were? Which side of the desks? Where do I go when I enter the terminal? I didn't see any. I was there at about 9 AM, so the BA desks were unstaffed and I didn't encounter any BA personnel, but the two people I asked didn't think that BA had any machines (although one clearly misunderstood my question).
Oct 7, 2019, 5:03 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
So, from the entrance to the terminal, I first go toward the BA desks on the left, then walk past them and look to their left? There was a lot of clutter in that area - I didn't investigate closely, but I may have overlooked the machines there. I'll take another look - thanks!
Nov 12, 2019, 8:46 pm
#38
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 86
And in case anyone's still reading this - what's the strategy here? Basic Economy, no status, hoping to snag a window seat from JFK without having to cough up $46. At this point (between 24 and 48 hours to departure), Theoretical Seating has blocked all remaining window seats. Do I am to get to the kiosk at precisely T-24, or do I wait longer in the hopes that Theoretical Seating eventually opens up some window seats (one of which I can then select)? If the kiosk only presents me with undesirable choices, can I walk away, twiddle my thumbs for a while, and try again, or am I stuck with the options it gives me?
Nov 13, 2019, 10:06 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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And in case anyone's still reading this - what's the strategy here? Basic Economy, no status, hoping to snag a window seat from JFK without having to cough up $46. At this point (between 24 and 48 hours to departure), Theoretical Seating has blocked all remaining window seats. Do I am to get to the kiosk at precisely T-24, or do I wait longer in the hopes that Theoretical Seating eventually opens up some window seats (one of which I can then select)? If the kiosk only presents me with undesirable choices, can I walk away, twiddle my thumbs for a while, and try again, or am I stuck with the options it gives me?
window seats go fastest (and there are fewer of them than either aisle or middles so many get preassigned and others get selected at olci by people able to change their assignments.
And if the seat seat you get whilst checking in as basic doesn’t suit you, unfortunately, if you go away and come back later you’ll still get the same one.