BA, the new Ryanair?
Discussion
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8274200.stm
British Airways passengers may have to pay to choose their seats before they travel, the airline has said.
Now I dont fly a lot, so it doesnt affect me, but yesterday in the Daily Mail there was an article about different BA cuts, including pulling the staff meail subsidy.
Is BA the new Ryanair with all these cuts and new charges?
British Airways passengers may have to pay to choose their seats before they travel, the airline has said.
Now I dont fly a lot, so it doesnt affect me, but yesterday in the Daily Mail there was an article about different BA cuts, including pulling the staff meail subsidy.
Is BA the new Ryanair with all these cuts and new charges?
I'm a bit torn by this. BA is a full service airline, they should therefore not be charging for extra, and this does make them sound like EasyJet/RyanAir.
If they need to charge more, then they should put their prices up.
On the other hand, this isn't something that's essential, you won't be forced to pay it. I also think that it's probably a service that's already available to all/some BA Executive club members, so you're being offered a pay to buy into some of those perks. That to be sells it better than how it's been presented. But then airlines are cagey about the perks of joining their loyalty schemes!
If they need to charge more, then they should put their prices up.
On the other hand, this isn't something that's essential, you won't be forced to pay it. I also think that it's probably a service that's already available to all/some BA Executive club members, so you're being offered a pay to buy into some of those perks. That to be sells it better than how it's been presented. But then airlines are cagey about the perks of joining their loyalty schemes!
Also, if you are a frequent flyer (Executive Club member), these charges don't apply.
The new scheme is allowing seats to be selected when you book which is new. At the moment unless you are a frequent flyer, you can only choose a seat within 24 hrs of your flight. From October 7th, anyone who isn't a frequent flyer can reserve a seat when they book, up to 10 days in advance.
Basically, it's a new service that is being charged for which doesn't already exist at the moment.
You can still choose a sit when checking in at the airport free of charge or 24 hrs before hand.
Low cost airlines such as Ryan Air/Easy Jet don't let you book a specific seat full stop.
The new scheme is allowing seats to be selected when you book which is new. At the moment unless you are a frequent flyer, you can only choose a seat within 24 hrs of your flight. From October 7th, anyone who isn't a frequent flyer can reserve a seat when they book, up to 10 days in advance.
Basically, it's a new service that is being charged for which doesn't already exist at the moment.
You can still choose a sit when checking in at the airport free of charge or 24 hrs before hand.
Low cost airlines such as Ryan Air/Easy Jet don't let you book a specific seat full stop.
Edited by Silver993tt on Friday 25th September 13:24
Virgin have been charging extra for exit seats for years, it's nothing new.
As said above, it only counts if you want to reserve a seat before the standard 24hr online check-in. So it's an extra service that they are charging for not the existing service. As usual the media are blowing this up.
As said above, it only counts if you want to reserve a seat before the standard 24hr online check-in. So it's an extra service that they are charging for not the existing service. As usual the media are blowing this up.
Silver993tt said:
Also, if you are a frequent flyer (Executive Club member), these charges don't apply.
The new scheme is allowing seats to be selected when you book which is new. At the moment unless you are a frequent flyer, you can only choose a seat within 24 hrs of your flight. From October 7th, anyone who isn't a frequent flyer can reserve a seat when they book, up to 10 days in advance.
Basically, it's a new service that is being charged for which doesn't already exist at the moment.
You can still choose a sit when checking in at the airport free of charge or 24 hrs before hand.
Low cost airlines such as Ryan Air/Easy Jet don't let you book a specific seat full stop.
The charges will not apply if you a Gold card Exec club member, silver and blue will have to pay. Now if your flying Club an extra £60 to choose a seat on booking is expensive, or you can take pot luck 24hrs before you fly.The new scheme is allowing seats to be selected when you book which is new. At the moment unless you are a frequent flyer, you can only choose a seat within 24 hrs of your flight. From October 7th, anyone who isn't a frequent flyer can reserve a seat when they book, up to 10 days in advance.
Basically, it's a new service that is being charged for which doesn't already exist at the moment.
You can still choose a sit when checking in at the airport free of charge or 24 hrs before hand.
Low cost airlines such as Ryan Air/Easy Jet don't let you book a specific seat full stop.
Edited by Silver993tt on Friday 25th September 13:24
casbar said:
The charges will not apply if you a Gold card Exec club member, silver and blue will have to pay. Now if your flying Club an extra £60 to choose a seat on booking is expensive, or you can take pot luck 24hrs before you fly.
Actutally, that's not quite correct. Gold & Silver card holders get the service free of charge as do anyone booking fully flexible tickets in J/C/W/Y classes.Silver993tt said:
casbar said:
The charges will not apply if you a Gold card Exec club member, silver and blue will have to pay. Now if your flying Club an extra £60 to choose a seat on booking is expensive, or you can take pot luck 24hrs before you fly.
Actutally, that's not quite correct. Gold & Silver card holders get the service free of charge as do anyone booking fully flexible tickets in J/C/W/Y classes.casbar said:
Silver993tt said:
casbar said:
The charges will not apply if you a Gold card Exec club member, silver and blue will have to pay. Now if your flying Club an extra £60 to choose a seat on booking is expensive, or you can take pot luck 24hrs before you fly.
Actutally, that's not quite correct. Gold & Silver card holders get the service free of charge as do anyone booking fully flexible tickets in J/C/W/Y classes.Those that don't have to pay anything are, as quoted from the BA website:
"Gold and Silver Executive Club members, oneworld™ Emerald and Sapphire equivalents, and other passengers on the same booking "
- "FIRST Passengers "
- "Customers holding fully flexible tickets booked in J/C/W/Y booking classes"
- "Travelling with infants "
- "Customers with additional needs"
"The above customers can choose their seat at the time of booking and change at any time until they have checked in."
"Gold and Silver Executive Club members, oneworld™ Emerald and Sapphire equivalents, and other passengers on the same booking "
- "FIRST Passengers "
- "Customers holding fully flexible tickets booked in J/C/W/Y booking classes"
- "Travelling with infants "
- "Customers with additional needs"
"The above customers can choose their seat at the time of booking and change at any time until they have checked in."
Probably right, the website is more likely to be correct. The issue, though is, I have booked a very expensive holiday with BA, paid for Premium Economy, but this doesn't allow me to pick a seat until 24hrs before we fly.
I'm no longer a Silver card member as I now work for a company who will not pay BA fares to fly their staff. So for us poor saps that don't have Sivler or Gold cards, its pay up or take pot luck.
Wonder how long before Virgin follow BA's example.
I'm no longer a Silver card member as I now work for a company who will not pay BA fares to fly their staff. So for us poor saps that don't have Sivler or Gold cards, its pay up or take pot luck.
Wonder how long before Virgin follow BA's example.
casbar said:
Probably right, the website is more likely to be correct. The issue, though is, I have booked a very expensive holiday with BA, paid for Premium Economy, but this doesn't allow me to pick a seat until 24hrs before we fly.
I'm no longer a Silver card member as I now work for a company who will not pay BA fares to fly their staff. So for us poor saps that don't have Sivler or Gold cards, its pay up or take pot luck.
Wonder how long before Virgin follow BA's example.
You currently can check in and choose a seat 24hrs in advance, so nothing is changing. Soon you will have the benefit of paying an extra fee if you want to choose your seat earlier, the choice is yours.I'm no longer a Silver card member as I now work for a company who will not pay BA fares to fly their staff. So for us poor saps that don't have Sivler or Gold cards, its pay up or take pot luck.
Wonder how long before Virgin follow BA's example.
Virgin already charge for exit seats and legroom seats, they have been doing so for years.
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