A bit later than some, despite growing up on top of the place I was a late starter on flying.
Thanksgiving Day (November2??) 1971 LHR -JFK on BA175 a pretty new 747.
A BOAC despatcher friend of my old mans and our neighbour ( staff travel trip of course, me and a pal going to Barbados via NY) showed us around the aircraft before boarding.Where would you like to sit said he indicating the vastness of economy class.We chose a couple of seats in front of the wing (no chance of that in Y these days). When we got back to his office he checked his his terminal ,yes they did have computers of a sort then and said-Oh they 'e been allocated already-never mind I dont suppose those passengers had any idea so we will put you two in there.-click click tap tap and its done.
PB