News: BA to sell advanced seat allocation
Flights > News > # 2272 (28/09/2009)
British Airways is to start allowing passengers to choose their seats more than 24 hours in advance of their flight, but will charge a fee for the service.
Travellers in Club World will pay £60 to choose their seat, those in Club Europe, World Traveller and World Traveller Plus will pay £20 for the privilege and economy passengers will have to stump up £10. The charges come into force on October 7. Airlines such as Flybe and Monarch charge for reserving seats, although at the lower costs of £6 and £7.50 respectively. Ryanair and easyJet, Europe’s largest no-frills airlines, charge £3 and £4.50 respectively.
Customers will still be able to pre-allocate their seat in the 24 hours prior to departure for free, but BA said the new charges were for those customers who wanted to guarantee their seat in advance of this.
A BA spokesman said: “Customers frequently request specific seats but in the past we’ve only been able to confirm them 24 hours in advance or on the day. We know people want to secure them in advance and have real control over their flying experience. This will allow them to do that.”
Rochelle Turner, head of research at consumer magazine Which?, said she was disappointed to see BA jumping on the no-frills bandwagon.
“Unfortunately, budget airlines charging people for a service that used to be included in the headline price has become a familiar theme for travellers,” she said.
Turner said that Which? members did not like extra charges and preferred a headline price that included everything.
She added: “BA is still giving some people the chance to reserve their seat for free in the 24 hours before departure, but if you aren't quick enough off the mark, or you don’t want to pay the fee to reserve your seat, you could find yourself sitting on the other side of the plane from your family or partner. It’s no way to start a holiday.”
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