There is a similar question on this site, but doesn't actually answer my question. So, here's my question: This is the first time I've used a travel agent to get flight tickets. We will be on United going to Heathrow. From there we are on British Air to Copenhagen. The travel agent indicated we could not get British Air seat assignments until that morning when we check in. I know it's not a long flight from Heathrow to Copenhagen, but I really want our two granddaughters to have window seats. Is this your experience with British Air - that you can't reserve seats ahead of time? Thanks.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5799 posts
You don't have to wait until the morning of your BA flight. You can check in online beginning 24 hours in advance and when you check in online, you can select your seats. Alternatively, you can pay a fee to select seats earlier. In my experience, I've never had an issue finding a decent seat when I've used online check-in the prior day; I don't bother with paying the fee to reserve earlier on flights within Europe.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23572 posts
British air is now charging for advance seat assignments.
Posted by
2081 posts
hi, correct, BA will charge you iirc, 20 USD to reserve your seat. at least they did so in Oct of last year. Since they (airlines) can makeup their own rules & charges, it can change at any time. and you will need to checking at the gate to find your seat. Its no biggie tho. just an fyi tho. If you choose to use BA and choose not to choose your seat, you can still buy (checkout) your tickets w/o choosing a seat. Airlingus also charges to choose a seat,but wont let you checkout (buy the ticket) w/o doing so, so they got ya. fwiw, i took that flight from LHR to AMS and its a piece of cake for flights go esp if you few from the states. happy trails.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17251 posts
If you want to reserve seats in advance of the 24-hour check-in time, you need your confirmation number (letters, actually). Go to "Manage My Booking" on the BA website. For seats in Economy, regular seats are $12 on fllights between the UK and the continent. (Exit row bulkhead seats are more).
Posted by
OP
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
1446 posts
Thank you all - tells me what I need to know.
Posted by
Kansas
1175 posts
We prefer to reserve our seats ahead of time and pay the price. That eliminates just one more thing we don't have to fret about.
Posted by
Oxford, United Kingdom
5433 posts
Seat reservations are free to people in the Silver level and above of the BA Executive Club, and One World Sapphire and above. One World Ruby can pre-book free a week in advance.
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17251 posts
We are still Blue level and have to pay for advance reservations, but find it worthwhile to do so. You never know if you will have internet access to check in 24 hours in advance while in Europe.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
19648 posts
We go over a couple times a year and BA and AA have just not been anywhere near as comfortable and accomodating as United/Lufthansa. The equipment is either older, or in the case where it is new, like the new 777's they are flying; the seats are uncomfortable as all get-out. And yes, on our last flight we did have to pay extra for a seat reservation. For a little more (okay $100 more) than any seat reservation on BA you can get an upgrade to Economy Plus on UA. But yes, we still fly BA / AA when we must.