Choose your seat BA

[StrawberriesAndCream123]

I'm sure I've asked similar In the past but like most others it's been a while since my last Holiday and I can't quite remember!

Just booked a long haul package via Thomas Cook with BA flights. No option given to choose seating at time of booking. I've been on BA to manage my booking and it states i can choose at no charge at check in. I'm sure I was in a similar position 3 years ago, I was going to log in bang on check in opening to select. However a week or so before the seating plan popped up on the BA app and I was able to choose (yes and pay). I can't see a way online that I can pre book the seats with payment at present, is it normal that the seating plan becomes available close to check In so that passengers blink first and pay?

TIA

No idea, we fly club and choose our seats at the time of booking.

I thought Thomas Cook had gone bust

Often the booking of seats comes up nearer to the flight. I used to pay extra to have that option. So you pay extra to chooses your seat but can not choose it till they open up the booking system closer to the flight date

It did but was taken I er and now is an online travel agency only. Still atol and abta protected.

I booked my honeymoon months ago for a date next year and was able to choose my seats straight away. Flights were booked directly through BA

Yes, that's what I think I remember... There was no option at time of booking but a week or so before checkin I was then able to choose and pay. If left until check in you choose whats left at no charge.

There just isn't any explanation for this anywhere online 🤷🏼‍♀️

I didn't get this option, just standard seats. I didn't get the option when I booked with TUI the last time I did this flight (also BA) .

I think with ba you can only choose seat 24hrs before departure, unless you're a bronze member or higher. I'm bronze at the mo and can choose 7 days from departure. But stopped using BA and switched to AA

Possibly, things may have changed since my last flight 3 years ago. But even that time I was on the understanding that I had to log on at check in and choose then, however I was given the choice to 'pay' around a week or so earlier even though there had been no indication I could do so.

Not overly worried, would like the family to sit together and intend to log in as soon after check in opens as possible. Just wondered if anyone knew if I'd get the choice to pay beforehand.

We are in the same position. It's frustrating. Booked via TUI flights are BA. we want to pay to sit together but that doesn't seem to be an option.
24 hrs before the flight just fees to risky. It's a long haul flight. Does anyone know if they have a rule about under 18 siting with a parent etc ?
It is stressing me out slightly

If you'd booked directly with BA, you can choose seats straight away. Booking through a third party travel agent, you usually can't choose seats until you've paid the balance off and the travel agent has ticketed the flights. They may not ticket them until very close to departure.

That would make sense, I am silver

thats strange, i can go into my BA booking that was booked thru air canada and pay for seats for a flight end of june or wait to check in for free

Actually I think this is most likely right, I've only paid my initial deposit so I'm going to guess I'll eventually see the option.

Now do I sit firm and wait for my 'free' options or waiver and guarantee them for a hefty sum? 🤔

Also hoping flights are able to run better by October!

Have you paid in full? I've only paid 1st deposit so far.

By law they only have to sit under 12s with a parent. That could be directly next to an adult, or on the row in front, behind, or across an aisle. So not guaranteed you'd end up together, and very unlikely for over 12s.

yeah all paid in full, the not paid in full makes a lot of sense

We’ve paid in full but still can’t choose seats until 24hours before unless we pay. If anyone knows a way round this please let us know. Thanks

Ours is fully paid up too. Annoying isn't it? And do we have to worry about checking in 24 hrs before the return flight?

I don't think there is a way round choosing your 'free' seating selection before check in. You have to pay if you want to guarantee them now. From what I can make out as ive only paid deposit with a third party not BA directly (understandable now actually) I won't get choice to pay for seating until full payment is received.

Just an update if anyone needs to know...eventually got a reply from BA( I was expecting a delay. I understand they are all very busy)
BA said TUI had to 'to ticket the booking '
After two hours on hold to Tui we have asked that they do this. The person I spoke to said they can do that for us. It can take up to 48 hrs to reflect on BA website.
So I will check back in a few days but fingers crossed we can the. Choose our seats. As I said I'm happy to pay for this but just want to be able to relax about the kids being with us for a v long flight

I booked a package with BA and couldn't book seats in advance for free. I used Avios points to "pay" for seat choices as I was travelling with my elderly mother so wanted to make sure we had decent seats. It would have cost £90 otherwise!

Otherwise it was from check-in, 24 hours before.

Mine was a European destination though, maybe it's different for long haul.

If you book with BA direct, you get a “manage my booking” code. You then use this to access seat bookings etc. I would think an agent gets the code after they pay BA. We get our code when we pay BA. Going through another company delays you getting the code.

You pay unless you are Gold or Silver with BA

What a phenomenally unhelpful post! Still, at least we all know you fly club 👏🏻👏🏻