AL446,
I should have been clearer. The seats were allocated 3 days before the flight. I spent an hour on the phone trying to sort out the seating to be told finally that I would have to wait until 24 hours before the flight to try to change the seating. Cometh the hour still no chance of swopping seats as the cabin was full. Finally on board the crew were excellent & picked up the issue before I even had to say something. With minimal fuss it was dealt with. This all happened before the new BA charge for seat allocation which I would obviously would now have to pay to ensure my 7 & 5 year daughters sit next to a parent. I would rather fly with somebody else.
I have to disagree with you about BA vs New Britain. Companies are now having to implement these rules such as in the OPs post, because we have become such a nanny state. I am not sure whether it was the influence of the EU or the influence of the lawyers on the New labour gravy train. Either way Britain is losing out because of it.