Air France and KLM have quietly introduced new charges for business class customers wishing to select their seat in advance of check-in.
The Advance Seat Reservation policy – which already applies in economy – is now being applied to long-haul Business Standard tickets purchased for travel from April 13.
Customers wishing to select their seat must pay between €70 and €90 to do so, or wait until the check-in window opens to select a seat free of charge.
The fee can be paid in cash or through the redemption of Flying Blue miles.
Note that the charge will not be levied to those booking Business Flex tickets, nor to Flying Blue Silver, Gold and Platinum members and selected corporate customers.
The fee will also not initially apply to those flying to or from North America, due to the group’s transatlantic joint venture with Delta and Virgin Atlantic.
British Airways has charged for advance seat selection in business class for several years, with the exception of those travelling on flexible fares, and elite members of the carrier’s Executive Club loyalty programme.
