Once upon a time, British Airways had a stellar reputation. Nowadays, they’ve joined the ranks of budget airlines, finding new and creative ways to squeeze every last penny out of travelers – from pricing and baggage allowances to, perhaps the most laughable, seat selection. What a farce!

Sure, I can technically select a seat for free 24 hours before the flight, but only if I’m prepared to join the stampede of other stressed-out passengers. Even then, there’s no guarantee I’ll get to sit with my family.

BA lures you in with attractive headline prices, only to slap on extra charges for seat selection – and it’s not even the same fee for both legs of the journey! Seriously?

And don’t get me started on legroom. My family members are hardly giants (all under 5'9" and weighing under 11 stone), yet the seats feel cramped even for us. I can’t imagine how uncomfortable it must be for taller or larger people – and let’s face it, there are plenty out there!