British Airways is to introduce changes to the way air travellers select and book their seats from 5 December 2006. The new guidelines are designed to simplify the process of choosing a seat and give all customers more transparency and control of the seating options available on their flight.
All seats not pre-assigned will be offered for selection. The airline is reducing the number of seats that can be pre-assigned, limiting this option to specific groups of travellers: for example, families with young children, first class flyers, Gold and Silver Executive Club members and those holding fully flexible tickets across all cabins.
To assist air travellers in choosing a seat the airline has improved its aircraft seat maps on ba.com, which display up to the minute seat availability for each flight. The maps will now display emergency exit seats and highlight the position of the toilets, infant cots and the crew galley areas.
Customers travelling with infants (aged under two years) will be able to book their seat when they purchase their ticket and those travelling with children aged between two and 11 inclusive will be allocated seats together up to three days before departure. Unaccompanied minors will also be pre-assigned a seat for their journey.
Gold and Silver Executive Club members, first class customers and those holding fully flexible tickets will be able to book their seat at the time of purchase and change their choice up until they check-in and print their boarding pass.