To expect British Airways to sit me next to my breastfed baby's basinette on a 27 hour flight?

[TheToadLessTravelled]

Looking for advice from more seasoned travellers.

Booked for a 27 hour flight with DH and 11mo DS tomorrow.
Had booked to all sit together but British Airways lost/changed the seat allocation somehow and we have ended up with DH near the basinette and me where I could not even see the baby.

BA have been really unhelpful and I am really stressing about the flight now.

Three calls to BA have given three different stories about whether/how we can be moved but we are still not together although at least I can see DS from where I now am moved to several rows back.

The last agent said all bulkhead seats are now allocated and all cot positions booked on the whole flight in all classes which I thought would be unlikely.
Also told me there are no flights close to that time I can switch to.
Also told I cannot switch seats with DH so I have the cot position seat.

DS is tall and wriggly so even if me and DH swap seats so I can BF on takeoff the person next to me is going to have kicking feet in their lap. I don't want to be a total pain to other passengers but us sitting apart is going to mean a lot of getting up and down, shouting out etc I can just see it going wrong.

Any advice on how to get this resolved?
Not sure what else I can do

[Backinthebox]

Just to re-point out - the poor sod who is sitting next to the OP's husband and child is most likely to be another person with a baby who is pissed off that they didn't get 2 bulkhead seats together too. There are just not enough bulkhead seats to go round! The airlines could make more, and charge the extra, but then people would moan about the rise in ticket prices and why should they pay more when they don't have a baby! You just can't keep everyone happy!

[EnjoyGOLDResponsibly]

I swap seats with DH all the time. BA stewards are great on the plane.

Chill out, you'll see it will all be fine at the airport.

I'll bet that anyone sitting near a baby on a 27 hour flight will be fucking relieved happy to move also.

[cantmakecarrotcake]

I have travelled with a colleague and we'd grabbed the bulk-head seats when we checked in online. We were moved during boarding as a lady with a young baby was booked in the aisle seat with a basinette and it was easier for all concerned to let her have all 3 seats as we wouldn't have been able to get out without disturbing the basinette.

This was BA and they very much prioritised the lady and baby. I think you'll be fine on the day - having said that if the flight is full they may not be able to do much officially, but I'll bet there'll be a kind soul who would swap seats to get you all seated together - the cabin crew may help with that. Make yourself known to the cabin services director (senior crew member) and I'm sure they'll help.

[TheToadLessTravelled]

Thanks carrot cake, good to know!

I guess I am feeling a bit ranty about this as its a 3-4-3 configuration so we booked aisle and middle of the left bulkhead and the basinette position - perfecto. Easy to get out etc. Supposedly seats were confirmed at time of booking. Flight wasn't too busy etc.

Rang to double check last week then the fun started.

Now DH is now in middle of the 4 row with DS. Can't see why the other basinette needs the other 3 seats iyswim?

Fingers crossed there is a kindly person on the desk tomorrow so we can resolve this in a way that means everyone has a good flight

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Other bassinet may be one adult with 3 under 6 children, for example.

[TheToadLessTravelled]

I hope its not another adult with three under 6 (sympathies if it is of course) as they will have DH in the middle of their group.

Ah well perhaps I will just pack some formula and enjoy a G&T or two from my quiet position several rows back while DH babywrangles :)

[BlingBubbles]

Agree with what most of the posters have said, there is NO way your baby will e in the bassinet with someone else sitting by them, it's just won't happen.

I would be careful though, I am sure a 11month old won't fit in the bassinet, we went longhaul in feb an my DD was 6months and she just fitted in there, she would have never fit in there at 11 months!

[HaveringGold]

I remember getting on a BA flight with DS aged 14 months and he was screaming before we even took our seat - the steward took one look at me and said "I think Mummy needs some champagne" popped up to business and brought a glass back for me. I loved that man...
Honestly Op it will be fine, there will be moments of tears but then aren't there always during a 27 hour period? But go with the flow and it will all be fine (and hope the steward with the champagne is on your flight ... or backinthebox cos she sounds nice too!)

[MarquiseOfMelburnia]

Reading this thread with interest. Soon to be flying from UK to Oz with Emirates, 20 month-old DS on my lap. His first flight. The word "dread" doesn't even cut it.
Sounds like you'll be fine, OP - all the best of luck

[Chandon]

In my memory, BA often use car seat/ bouncy seat style baby seats, rather than bassinets, so 11 months should work.

[Lueji]

Why would you and your OH sit on the allocated seats???
Nobody will check, seriously.

And after take off you can then ask the person sitting next to you to swap with your OH.

Maybe try the desk, but TBH, I'd leave it until you board the plane.
I'm sure it will be fine.

[Lueji]

Also, up to 2 years old are allowed on the lap (I think), but TBH, over 12 months old and on longer flights, just forget it and book a seat.
It is worth the cost.

And if they are walking, then get an aisle seat.

[Thumbwitch]

I agree with that, Lueji!

Another good point - if you're flying BA, flying cattle class (World Traveller) is actually better than World Traveller Plus. You might get an extra couple of inches leg room, but the arm rests are fixed down, because the tray comes out of them - and this is a PITA when your child wants to lie down. We had an accidental upgrade to WTP once because they couldn't seat me and DS together in World Traveller and oh I missed being able to lift the arm rest up so he could stretch out over my lap and his seat! He looked so uncomfortable coiled up on the seat. :(

[BrainSurgeon]

OP, as far as I know the main reason why seating changes on a flight is because the actual aircraft has been changed, for operational reasons. BA are not being mean giving you seats then deciding to take them back for no good reason

backinthebox brilliant and very helpful advice

[GiserableMitt]

I flew Long haul with BA (first time in years) just me and the kids over the summer.

As it was an American Airlines flight, operated by BA but booked through Emirates I had no option to choose my seats, or to view them until very close to travel date. Luckily we were sat together. When I checked in for my outbound flight I was very early so decided to aske about my inbound (fyi, I arrived at LHR 4.5 hours before my flight. Although I was checked in and given boarding passes the check-in lady wouldn't accept my bags. She said trying to drop them so early meant they would go in a holding bin rather than straight to where they needed to go so I should drop them a max of 3 hours ahead of time to maximise my chances of them getting on my flight).
Because of the way the trip was booked the groundstaff couldn't do anything byt the guy I was dealign with did tell me that as I had at least one under cantremember age they would do their utmost to sit us together and they did.

I usually fly Emirates and I found BA to be far more accommodating (as well as having much nicer cabin crew).

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Good point lueJi - OP your DS will be on one or other of your laPs with the extension belt at take off anyway so could be On your lap even if you weren't the one at the bassinet position.

[TheToadLessTravelled]

Good to know I can have him on my lap even if he is on DH seat ticket. I had heard on here that breastfeeding on takeoff helps their ears so was hoping to do that.

[Bigwheel]

On a recent short haul flight with my baby I wasn't allowed to bf on take off as she had to be sitting on my lap facing away from me. Not sure if that's true of all flights but thought it was worth a mention as you mentioned being able to bf baby on take off.

[MrsTerrysChocolateOrange]

DD and I have done 12 flights, in two years, mostly without DH.

My tips:
Always make nice with everyone around you, they will put up with a lot.
DD is also a big baby. I found that she would sleep on me (either in the 'take-off' position or lying on me with her legs on mine and head on my chest) and not kick people.
Ask if people mind moving. IMO people are keen to accommodate parents because they know if you and DC are happy, their flight will be better.
Take nappies, wipes, change of clothes and as little else as possible.

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Toad it is the sucking and swallowing that helps so formula, water or a dummy would also be ok.

I have BF'd on takeoff on BA but it was about 4 years ago.

[PrettyFlyForAWifi]

Backinthebox sorry to jump in op, but have you got any tips for managing a 3 year old on a long haul? We're off to NZ and I am dreading it!!

[Backinthebox]

3 year old is much easier than 2 year old! They are at the age when colouring in is fun, and books can entertain them (obviously with a certain amount of adult input here.) Also, all LH flights, regardless of the operator, have some form of video entertainment system which will keep a small child happy. If you doubt that, then the iPad is your friend. My kids were kept completely amused on a 10 hour car journey this summer with an iPad each. 5yo DD was thrilled with a whole series of Winx Club videos, and nearly-2yo DS was happy with an episode of Tractor Ted on a loop (simple things.....!) Plus we had lots of toddler game apps installed. On a flight at least the kids can get up and wander around a bit. Don't be embarrassed if your child wants to go for a walk. Pick your time, and wander off with them. An aircraft is a very new environment for them, and a circuit of the plane will at least keep them occupied for about half an hour. Obviously don't get in the way of cabin crew serving drinks and meals, but there'll be plenty of time for a leg stretch. Don't think you have to keep your child in the seat the whole way, it'll make you all miserable. Make the most of the cabin crew - they will not be too phased if you ask them to keep an eye on your child while you go to the loo. Of course this is dependent on the child, but cabin crew are resourceful and will usually find something like some sweets or something to endear themselves to your child while you wee. Once on the ground (either before take off or after landing) it's possible to take your child in the cockpit (and if you have a friendly pilot I'll- they'll let them press lots of buttons.) Hope that helps.

[Backinthebox]

PS I BFed each time I flew with a baby under 6 months. Woe betide anyone who told me I couldn't BF! They don't need to be forward facing, just strapped in securely.

[ChocolateIsAFoodGroup]

We've done loads of flights (too many to count?!) with our two (now three - but as the baby is 5 days old today, she hasn't flown yet ).

My best advice (hoping not to repeat?):

1. Bring something for the poor sods sitting near you; we always bring individually wrapped truffle chocolates and hand them around first thing. i know we all chose to have DC, but the poor people sitting near us didn't choose to sit near a screaming baby (trust me - there will be some screaming...) and it just makes for good will all round! We've had some right grumpy sods (initially...) who just brightened up when we handed round the chocolates, saying 'we're so sorry - I know you don't want to be sitting anywhere near us!'. Worked like a charm.
   
   
2. Be really nice to the stewards, and (surprise!) they will be really nice back!
   
   
3. Board as late as you dare: It is less than no fun sitting on an airplane for endless hours, and the excrutiating bit where you are just waiting to take off can be minimzed if you board as late as possible. I normally send DH on ahead with the cartloads of shit and eldest DC and then I follow with the toddler.
   
   
4. If you can bear to, pack individually-wrapped presents for any older DC, so they can have something to look forward to/something to bribe them with as the flight progresses.
   
   
5. Technology is your friend! Whatever your normal views on TV/I-pads, etc, just let them have at it as much as they can: What else are you going to do for all those hours? Pack 5 wooden Waldorf bricks and one of those creepy dolls?!
   
   
6. Alcohol is also your friend, for different reasons . Drink lots of water also, though - especially if breastfeeding!
   
   And great good luck to you - we've done so many CA/London flights and back again. Really feel your pain.....

[PrettyFlyForAWifi]

Thanks! I feel a bit more optimistic now!