Well, here's one customer who has just voted with his wallet.
I normally hate Continental.
After one flight in particular, I said "never again".
I used to fly with BA mainly.
However, on a forthcoming flight to TX next week they are both price competitive with BA and allow me to select my seat for free. I booked with the dreaded Continental this morning, having read BA's new rip-off policy.
On a flight to Aus in Jan 2010, Virgin have already allowed me to select my seat for free.
Bye-bye BA.
(Unless the Continental flight is tooooooo awful)
AO