(NOTE FROM JOHN: This is actually much worse. What they're saying is that you can't reserve your own seat, period, unless you pay extra. They will pick you a seat at random (wanna bet it's a middle seat?), unless you pay $15 to $100 more per ticket.)
They can go Cheney themselves. Even in the best of times, this was about the worst major airline around. The crew is always miserable and the BA service inflexible. Whenever I price shop their costs are never very good, but even if it were I would choose another airline. Now they want up to $100 if you want to sit together with your spouse or kids. Imagine flying on vacation with the family and being asked to pay a premium for keeping everyone together. (For some families, sitting apart may be preferred.) Just another reason to avoid this horrible airline like the plague.
The new charges, which range from £10 to £60, will hit people who wish to ensure they sit together on a flight or secure a window, aisle or emergency-exit seat.
BA will still allow passengers to reserve seats without charge in the 24 hours before departure. But from 7 October those willing to pay will be able to secure their preferred spot in the cabin when they make a booking. BA said the move would "give customers more control over their seating options".
