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British Airways lets online buyers hold seats before booking

British Airways will allow ba.com users to hold seats for up to 72 hours without booking for a down payment of as little as £5.

BA announced the move yesterday saying: “This will give customers the time to make sure they’re happy with their flight choices before paying for them.

“If within 72 hours customers want to pay for their flights, the hold deposit is refunded and the ticket can be bought.”

Holding a reservation will cost £5 per passenger on short-haul flights and £10 on long haul.

Consumers will be able to hold seats on all BA and Iberia flights up to 21 days before departure.

BA chief commercial officer Drew Crawley said: “There is nothing more frustrating than seeing a great flight price but not being able to book straight away because you may need to get time off work or check it’s ok with family or friends – then finding there are no seats left or the price has changed.

“Now customers can see the price, hold their seats and be sure that is all they’ll pay up to three days later.”

Crawley added: “Feedback from customers means we are confident this reassurance will prove very popular.”

Only one person’s name is required to hold seats. Other names can be added to a booking within 72 hours.

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