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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How should these airline seats be used?

85 replies

badbaduncle · 22/07/2022 12:45

Very differing opinions so just wanted to hear your views.
4 travellers going away (2 parents, 17 and 19yo.) 2 staying 2 weeks (1parent, 1 child), 2 staying 3 weeks (same)
4 return flights booked but due to availability they are not together. The 3 week trip has 'premium economy' flights, the 2 week trip economy flights. 10 hour flights.
1 parent is exceptionally tall, the other has mobility issues and arthritis.

1.The 2 week trippers think the fairest is that they get the PE seats on the way out as the 3 week trippers get them on the way back.
2.The parents think they should have them on way out as they have physical needs and this would be more comfortable
3.One parent and all teens thinks the other parent is annoying on a flight as they fall asleep and snore loudly and create embarrassment
4.The teenagers think that as the parents don't drink or watch the TV the seats are wasted on them.
5.The parent who organised the trip (to their home country) - and paid for it all -thinks everyone should shut up and be grateful and we can swap around a bit.

What do you think?

OP posts:
Coldilox · 22/07/2022 12:47

Whoever paid gets the better seats

notangelinajolie · 22/07/2022 12:49

5

Frankie412 · 22/07/2022 12:49

Parents get the seats due to physical needs and the reality that they’re the parents.

Thatswhyimacat · 22/07/2022 12:49

Needs before wants. Parent with mobility issues first priority for PE seats. Other parent next priority for comfort. Teens can sit together in regular seats and be quiet moaning about their paid for holiday.

Thatswhyimacat · 22/07/2022 12:51

Oh and I'm assuming one parent doesn't want to sit next to the other due to snoring - not sure which one has paid in this scenario but it would be unkind to make either parent sit in discomfort for 10hrs just because of some snoring.

SeasonFinale · 22/07/2022 12:51

Parents get the premium seats if they are available when travelling. The kids get the economy unless there is a spare (when the other parent isn't travelling).

sevenandone · 22/07/2022 12:51

Parents get better seats. If they want to swap at some point for some time, up to them.

Snoring, embarrassing parent should get tested for sleep apnea. (But this parent is probably less embarrassing to the other parent than to the teenagers so another reason why they should be seated together.)

Everyone should be grateful for the chance to go away together.

Strugglingtodomybest · 22/07/2022 12:51

Whoever paid gets to choose.

Original poster
badbaduncle · 22/07/2022 12:53

Ahh such sense and rationality

OP posts:
Blossomtoes · 22/07/2022 12:53

5

Ilikewinter · 22/07/2022 12:54

The person who pays gets the choice, I would go for the person with the mobility issues, especially on a 10 hour flight.

5zeds · 22/07/2022 12:54

Parents get the good seats because they’re the parents. In what universe would you let your mum or dad sit in a worse seat than you? Assuming the children aren’t disabled/ill/pregnant.

user1471447863 · 22/07/2022 12:54

Parents get the seats due to needs and having paid for them. No to taking turns and swapping around every 10 minutes as that will just piss off everyone around them

redtshirt50 · 22/07/2022 12:58

I personally would want to be as far away from the snorer as possible

Ponderingwindow · 22/07/2022 13:06

Parents get the better seats. Both because of need and because they probably paid for them

perks like TVs or drinks don’t matter. It is physical room that makes the difference on how you feel when you get off the plane.

AryaStarkWolf · 22/07/2022 13:09

Parents get the seats, the teens are ungrateful

SeaToSki · 22/07/2022 13:11

Parents get the PE seats and the teenagers should be thankful they are being taken on a nice holiday abroad.

comealongponds · 22/07/2022 13:11

Parents get the better seats because they paid for the holiday and one of them needs it for comfort

kimfox · 22/07/2022 13:14

Exceptionally tall? If you mean this person is literally 6'5 plus they should get extra legroom as they won't fit in economy and will have their knees in the back of the person in front. Person with mobility issues gets the other PE. Others can download things on their devices so no one needs a TV screen anyway.

WonderingWanda · 22/07/2022 13:15

Parents get the seats because of height, mobility issues and the fact they paid. Kids can pay for own upgrade if they have a problem with that.

Original poster
badbaduncle · 22/07/2022 13:16

kimfox · 22/07/2022 13:14

Exceptionally tall? If you mean this person is literally 6'5 plus they should get extra legroom as they won't fit in economy and will have their knees in the back of the person in front. Person with mobility issues gets the other PE. Others can download things on their devices so no one needs a TV screen anyway.

Yes over very tall - over 6"5'

OP posts:
AllFreeOwls · 22/07/2022 13:19

He who pays the piper picks the tune.

kimfox · 22/07/2022 13:20

I've gone to great lengths to make sure one of my DCs who is also over that height has enough legroom this summer. I would be worried about DVTs for one thing let alone comfort - can't have those long legs in the aisle tripping up passengers & cabin crew! If it's a long flight which I think it must be -I think you and the other parent get PE even if one of you is the snorer!!!

poetryandwine · 22/07/2022 13:20

Assuming the teens have no special needs, parents go PE and teens can moan to their hearts’ content.

Frequent swaps can be highly annoying to fellow passengers and flight attendants.

Yodaisawally · 22/07/2022 13:21

The teens sit where they're told, in economy!