BertieBadger

I appreciate the value of a good rant, it's cathartic.

Last time I did YUL in business, we paid circa 1300 GBP per person. Even at todays prices sub 2K seems possible.

If I didn't have status, I'd simply regard it as part of the cost. If BA+seat is still the best deal, it's the one I'll go for.

Edit: Apologies to Sheikh Yerbooty, my original response was brusque

Sheikh Yerbooty

Yup, it’s much cheaper out of London than Copenhagen. Even looking +2 months out (which is the maximum noticed period I’ve ever seen for a trip), can’t find anything to ATL, NYC, ORD, IAD, or YUL much below 4K. With the usual 2-3 week notice, we’re often talking +6K.

Here’s a search on CPH-IAD, April 23-28:



1 USD = 7 DKK. Which makes the direct flight a USD 7.000 proposition, but that’s what a monopoly will do for you. Cheapest option is USD 3850.

Here are the BA options, cheapest is USD 3900.

Furby

If you want the window/aisle pair you will need to pay for them, the chances of getting them for free are about nil. Waiting until you can select for free will likely result in sitting in the middle section of 4 seats.

ijgordon

Why is that the cutoff? Is that the same on BOS-LHR as LAX-LHR? When people are paying $9k+ round-trip because they book only 1 week out, your fare seems quite the bargain that arguably should NOT get priority over those later/higher fares just because you booked first.

As a OW Ruby, I only get seating at 7 days, so I don't much like BA's policy personally. But I understand why many do. And I will make my purchases accordingly.

Just be glad that all business class fares allow access to the lounges...

testycal

There can be "Silver" linings to all things status. Case in point...lost my Silver status as of Jan 1 23...flew one return long haul during that time (yes it was disappointing not choosing seats and no lounge). When I checked in for a flight end of January as a WT+ passenger, at check in I asked if the window seat in WT+ was available having been slotted into the aisle at the front of the cabin (all good of course)... I was expecting a not available and instead of a response, was handed a CW boarding pass for a 9.5 hour flight. My first CW experience turned out to be the best experience I ever had a on a flight in my 62 years!

Schmoo111

Yes, BA have gone nuts since I flew last (it’s been 3 yrs). I am just starting my status climb by buying business outgoing and PE rtn leg transatlantic and read I could not pick a seat I’d get the left overs….BUT I called as I’m a ruby and of course they don’t care, they wouldn’t even apply that status saying one world takes several Al’s to update status! Very annoyed considering I bought on ba.com and with a ba credit card. I wish I never bought the ticket as I am going to change to star alliance as I’ve had enough of the BA experience this go around to last me a lifetime.

steveholt

If BA charged $4000 and up for business class, I would agree with you. BA J is routinely, even often, available for less than $4K across the pond.

Other airlines do charge for seat selection in J in certain fare classes. QR comes to mind. EK had "special" business class fares that didn't offer seat selection, although I'm not sure if those still exist post-pandemic. LX charges for selecting certain desirable J seats. I'm sure others will have examples, too.

AviationMoose

Did you get a special deal on toys with that pram?

Schmoo111

The comment wasn’t that bad? The fact you would send that kind of response suggests you would accept any level of poor treatment.

Agent69

QR also charge for lounge access on some business class fares

SxMan

Customers demand cheap fares nowadays – that’s the way the market’s been going. To balance the books, extras need to be paid for.

I’ve just looked at going with a low-cost carrier to Europe and the fare looked extremely competitive until I started adding in even basic things such as a carry on bag. In the end it worked out more expensive than Lufthansa or British Airway, so it was a case of taking the most conveniently m-timed flight.

ratechaser

With some of the LCCs barely even allowing you a small personal item with their base fare now, how long will it be before we are personally weighed at check in, and have to pay excess fees if we are over the average weight for our height? I for one will not be a winner there

Part of the issue here is that I don't think there's any flight search engine that can really compare on a like for like basis with what many of us would consider a 'full service' - even google flights can't cope with a search specifically including hold baggage, much less free seat selection. Yes I know some of us get these thrown in anyway by virtue of status, but we are in the minority of travellers.

There's definitely a business opportunity there, provided of course you can scrape the data in the first place...

krispy84

I’m sorry but I don’t understand any of the above.

dougzz

That’ll be the end of me flying, I couldn’t afford it 😀

Doesn’t one of the smaller Pacific airlines charge by weight, Tonga maybe?

GM1985

The sticker shock is intentional. The fees are intended to be a disincentive to select a seat before check-in opens.

If BA charged a nominal £20 per seat in J for pax without status, there would no doubt be some grumbling about “nickel and diming” yet most people forking out J prices would pay it. The £100+ charges per seat are to dissuade people selecting seats too far in advance, protecting the benefit of free seat selection to those with status. However, for those determined to select seats sooner, BA will happily take your money.