BA flight. Paying for seats

[namechanged85789]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows what the chances are of me and my husband being seated together when we go on holiday. I always pay to choose our seats when we travel as a family, but it's just us two going this time and it's over £130 to choose seats one way

It was 24 hours in advance if you wanted it free on our BA flight to Australia in economy. We paid as kids and wanted to be to together, I checked 24 hours before and 1 4 together was available and quite a lot of 2s.

Sorry, meant to say before you check in online, you can change your seats if needed. If you are on different bookings, as sometimes I am with my husband, we use two laptops and look at seats together before checking in.
Hope that makes sense.

If you are in business or first you get allocated a seat beforehand. If you are an Executive Gold member it's same, whatever cabin you are flying in. All rest can either buy a seat beforehand or when checkin opens 24 hours before take off you can choose

@smashstore

Long haul flight in first class costing £10k - yes pay the £130

If you're flying first class, or business, you don't need to pay for your seat. It's a way of keeping economy fairs apparently low

@LolaLollypop

I'm sure BA long haul allows you to check in 30 days before your flight, so do this as soon as check in opens

They won't let you check in till 24 hours before your flight (48 if you're an Executive Club member).

You can, though, choose your seat early, but only if you're prepared to pay for it.

'economy fares'

If you're flying first class, or business, you don't need to pay for your seat. It's a way of keeping economy fairs apparently low

It was intended as a bizarre example of the difference, to point out the lack of context.
Not accurate.

I have no idea what that means ...

If you are flying with children you do not need to pay for seats as BA automatically give you seats together. Travelled several times with BA recently with DD 7 and always get our seat allocation 2-3 days before. I know that is not relevant to the OP but may help others save some pennies.

have no idea what that means ...

Really?

It means don't pick me up for an inaccuracy when I was clearly being extreme in my example.

It means I didn't need an explanation of how air fares are structured.

Yes I think they put families together a week before if not paid for seating but only if kids are under 12 and together can include row behind or across an aisle.

I normally keep checking available seats in the weeks leading up to the flight - if still loads don't bother and do it on check in.

I'm sure BA long haul allows you to check in 30 days before your flight, so do this as soon as check in opens

Afraid not, for BA check in opens exactly 24 hours before scheduled flight departure time , both for Long Haul and Short Haul.

Seat selection also opens at that time, unless, as mentioned upthread, you're an exec. club member in which case you get a crack at selecting a seat 48 hours before departure.

www.britishairways.com/en-fr/information/checking-in-and-boarding/checking-in

By "selecting a seat" I meant selecting a seat for no charge.

For BA, all the info is available under “Manage My Booking”. 24 hours in advance is correct for check in. We have never paid in advance and have always been seated together. As long as it’s on the same booking reference. For economy, I wouldn’t pay what you’ve been quoted. It seems high. Does it relate to extra legroom seats by the Energency exits?

Also get into Manage My Booking check in immediately it opens and you will see where you have been allocated. If you want to move further forward, then that’s your chance. We sometimes move seats even if we are in business class. Some seats appeal more than others. Also Seat Guru gives you info on best and worst seats for your flight and your aircraft.

Hi everyone I didn't pre book the seats, I just couldn't justify that amount when it's just us two. I went straight on this morning to check in and we have seats together so I'm happy

Well done. You have saved quite a bit.