British Airways to Charge for Seat Assignment Soon

We have become accustomed to either paying, or scrambling for a seat, on the budget airlines but hoped it would never happen with the likes of British Airways.  With many airlines struggling to stay aloft, it is a sad sign of the times that it has come to this.

Choosing your seat, whether you prefer window, aisle, or emergency-exit row seat – or just the privilege of being able to sit with your travelling companions – it will soon come with a price-tag on British Airways.  British Airways’ current policy is for passengers to be able to choose their seat preference a day prior to departure.  (Those without a paid-for, assigned seat are likely to end up with a dreaded middle seat!)

From October 7, 2009 seat assignments on BA will cost:

£10 per person, per sector, for Domestic and European
£20 per person, per sector, for long-haul and Business Class short flights
£60 per person, per sector, for Business Class long-haul
£50 or £75 per person, per sector, for Emergency Exit Row seats (if qualified)

(Prices are subject to change, according to the BA website)

Under the new policy, paid seat assignment will be available in all cabins on all BA mainline flights with the exception of First Class. Payment for seat assignment can be made, subject to availability, from the time of booking until 24-hours prior to departure – but not at the airport.  Once a seat is booked the seating fee is non-refundable (except under certain circumstances) and also non-transferable.  Air miles cannot be used toward paid seating.  Paid-for seats are also not guaranteed, depending upon flight requirements, and refunds may be available if a satisfactory alternative seat is not available.

Paid seat assignment will not be available on BA Cityflyer or any other BA partner airlines.  Passengers excluded from paid seating include children travelling alone (Skyflyers solo), and those travelling as part of a group of 9 more or journeys containing more than 16 flights or sectors. 

Certain passengers will still be eligible to choose their seat free of charge at booking (First Class, passengers with disabilities or special needs, mothers with infants, flexible tickets, and Gold, Silver and other special Club memberships).  See the Terms and Conditions on the BA website for full details.

Flickr cc Image by Irargerich