to be angry at British Airways

[Girrafio]

Shortly to fly long haul (12 hours) with a very active 7 month old (day-time flight) and have been told by customer services that the bulkhead seats have all been assigned. Aren't they meant to be left free until the day for disabled, the elderly, families with kids? How on earth is DS meant to sit quietly on my lap for 12 hours squashed in the back of economy?? He gets fed up if he is confined to the buggy for more than 20 mins if not asleep. It is madness. The infant ticket cost nearly £100 - what was I paying for, if not the privilege of a little extra leg room so the child can at least play at my feet?

Anyone got any experience of this or advice on how to survive a long haul flight with a baby who won't be confined?

Sit at the back, it's statistically safer

BA were always great when we flew with our children long haul, as babies. We did get them their own seats though - meant we could use a car seat. Much more civilised - never had the bulk head seats for that reason.

If you pre-book your seats, try the trick of choosing an aisle and a window seat, leaving the centre one empty. Worst case is that you have to swap with the poor person allocated the centre one but you could end up with a spare seat.