I have had a reply from British Airways which says those who have already booked tickets for after 7th October cannot pay to select their seats. This means that everyone who books after 7th October will be able to pay and select their seats when we don't have that option. Surely this can't be right?

"Thank you for taking the time to contact us about our new seating policy.

I would like to inform you that the option to pay for your seat is applicable only on the new bookings made from 7 October 2009.

So, the best way to choose your seat is by checking in online as early as possible. At the time of check in all seats on the aircraft, that have not been pre-assigned, will be available for you to choose from. The earlier you check in, the greater the choice of seats you will have.

I hope this information is useful and we wish you a pleasant flight with us in November"

Whilst this change by BA appears good news for some customers, loyal Silver Executive Card holders of BA will no longer be able able to pick an exit row seat when booking on line - which is a reduction in service choice for the frequent loyal flyer. It seems BA has continued to increased the gap between Silver and Gold members of their frequent flyer service. It also smacks of an extra charge just for having , long legs (33" plus), as you cannot fit in normal rows without now having to buy the extra leg room. So some winner and some loser (Silver members / long legged people - who will have to now pay for what was free at time of booking) - Interestingly BA is not admitting to any loser - lets see if the competition want to entice us tall, long legged, Silver members away from the National Flag carrier. Good own goal by BA -so much for loyalty

In light of their31" miserly economy legroom it's years since we used them, and now this. At least the likes of Ryanair dont pretend to be other than what they are, but BA, "the worlds favourite airline", they must be joking. My son flew into H/row yeterday on business from Sydney, and on to Athens with BA, and as he half expected, no luggage on arrival there, nothing changes with good old BA, especially their contempt for their paying customers Alan

Oh dear this is my fear of lost luggage with BA, my question in an earlier post which dazbo answered was not for me but my son who is flying from Manchester to Heathrow terminal 5 then onto Pu dong Shanghai. I do hope his luggage doesn't go missing, as he's going out working for 2 weeks from the UK company branch to their China branch. Is this an often occurance with BA. I know they had problems when terminal 5 first opened, is it still on going?

Used T5 a few weeks ago for my little jolly to NYC and both flights my luggage and me made it in one peice. I don't think he's got anything to worry above and beyond any other airline.

Re missing luggage, we are currently on holiday in Ruhpolding, Bavaria and arrived in Munich at lunch time Saturday. Our luggage never arrived and despite being assured it would be on the next flight, it isn't and we still don't have it. Phoned yesterday lunch time and they said it had been traced to Amsterdam and should be arriving in Munich at 7pm last night.

I cannot even begin to tell you what it is like to be on holiday with nothing but the clothes you travelled in. Oh and this wasn't BA but KLM - Sorry I know this is a BA thread but I am so upset I don't know what else to do.

Hi Sugarbabe
Sorry to hear about your delayed luggage, I hope you have received your case(s) by now. Everytime I wait for luggage at the carousel and my case is one of the last to come through I wonder how I am going to manage without my clothes etc. I hope you will be able to enjoy the rest of your holiday. .

BA have a particularly bad record for lost luggage, though it is improving, having moved up from the bottom slot in Europe, but it really needs to improve much more. Iberia, Air France and BMI have even worse records.

I wouldn't by choice travel long haul economy class with BA due to the cramped seating but their Business class is excellent (I received an upgrade on one long haul flight) though many other airlines have cramped economy seating on their 747's. I find BA's Flight Attendants far more professional and friendlier on the whole to the staff on most other European carriers.

To second Judith, I am currently in the US and had my concerns about using BA's WT but it was both comfy and spacious enough for me to actually enjoy my flight to PHL. Great cabin staff AND our baggage followed us. I have had to make a claim for damaged baggage but should have a replacement case sent to my last US address so I can use it for my return flight. So far, MUCH better than my dreadful longhaul return from SFO in 2006 which is still vivid in my short term mermory.

BA is to stop flying passengers to Palma - Mallorca

which is a shame as that was quite a busy route for BA -

Judith

Thanks, eventually got our luggage today lunchtime, so basically lost 2.5 days of our holiday!!
I will post a proper thread in the correct forum about the absolute carry on and lies we have been told when we return.

I want to book a DIY to Las Vegas for March. Is anyone aware if BA are likely to have a flights sale again before then & if so when do you reckon it will be. The BA flights are at a better time for me than Virgin ones.

Thanks

Didn't get my bag because the agent only found out a week later - ie the delivery day - that the telex number she had is old, and invalid!! Received $100 compensation and will be buying a new one to replace it.

Have just arrived after my homeward journey - BOS-LHR-BSL, which went well, but I would comment that the 'supper' offered was a disgrace as regards the hot dishes - veg pasta or chicken with ginger flavoured mash!! Luckily I ate dinner at the normal time before my flight and decided to give the 3.30 am special (UK time) a miss!

Surprisingly pleased with the BA experience, and will chance my arm again when the opportunity presents itself!

I am in a muddle about this pre booking seats with BA thing! I am flying MAN-LHR-BOM in Feb 2010 and will check in online, if others are pre booking seats now when they make their initial booking does that mean there won't be any choice for the likes of me? Will there be a charge for on line check in and chosing seats option? I booked my tickets back in June!

ilovegoa,

It's difficult to say because it depends on the uptake of seat selection at booking. I suspect what will happen is a lot of passengers won't pay to select their seat and leave it until they can check-in online and do it them. If you intend to check-in online, you'll just have to get in there early in order to try and get the seats you want. Online check-in is currenly at no charge. While many like to know in advance their exact seat number, a lot of travellers aren't too bothered so will just take whatever is given.

Darren

Online Check in is T-24 to the second from my experience!! So set your alarm clock!! But if you have a cascade of flights, OLCI starts with the first flight so you can do other flights on your outward leg at the same time even if that's a bit before T-24.

thanks everyone, will be ready with computer fired up for the precise moment. So glad 1st flight isn't until 11.15am, won't be an early start

It will be interesting to see what happens with the prebooking. We have flights in a weeks time- WT+ on the way. Its a small cabin so I hope we can get 2 seats together when we check in. Good thing is that our connecting flight is 7 hours before main one so I would hope we would be ok.

OOh my 2nd flight is the following day, have a night in London before flying out next morning cos meeting up with friends from Canada then all going to Mumbai on same flight. Hope this won't affect on line check in for getting seats booked and that I can also get booked for next leg of journey

When we check in online for outward flights can we also book our return flight for seats. This is with BA.

Bonksy