BA Flights 273/272 LHR to San Diego Plane changes & Incorrect Seating Charts

[Ian1967]

Advice if you will please. Yesterday I booked business return flights from London to San Diego for the Christmas period. As I only have BA blue status I wanted to choose and pay for my seats. Whilst booking I noted that the flights will be on an A350, indeed the seating chart indicates this. However, it would appear that from later this month, BA are changing some of the planes on this route (and times) to a 787-8. There is a lot of information on the web relating to the upgrading of the 787-8’s from the old seating configuration to Club Suites but sketchy timetables. Do I therefore assume that my flights will have the new configuration and choose and pay for my seats according to the A350 seating chart or assume that once 20th April comes around they will update the seating chart to reflect the 787-8? My concern is that I am about to choose and pay for seats which may actually not exist on my flights. Additionally choosing seats on the 787-8 old configuration involves a lot more to think about than selecting Club Suite seats. I’ve been caught out before with BA and paid for seats in advance never to actually sit in them. Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you. Ian

[Richie]

Plane swapping is here to stay.
Silver status is the way to go.

[ChrisBCN]

I would wait a couple of months before you pay for seats. Plane type will be more firm then (although never guaranteed).

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

We’ve barely eaten out hot crosses buns and yet here you are tucking into your figgy pudding and pigs in blankets!

December is 8 months away so plenty of time for the plane type to change and change again and again.

BA changes plane types on a regular basis that reflects the passenger demand and can quite easily switch a smaller plane for a larger one depending on demand at the destination and the season. If San Diego is more of a winter destination then an A350 may well suit it during winter whilst a B787 may suit smaller demand during the summer.

Is there a reason you want to have specific seats?

It’s a lot of money to hand over to BA.

Re yiur oreciius experience I hope you claimed the refund due to you.

[Ian1967]

Many thanks for your comments, much appreciated.
Looks like the A350 will be back on the route from beginning of November when the route goes back to one flight per day (hopefully). For now I will hold back on choosing and paying for my seats.

@Richie Agreed, but unfortunately I’ve come late to the party, including collecting Avios points. However, I already have my first companion voucher after only having my Amex BA card for 3 months and we will have another voucher by the end of August so not all bad.

Thanks All.