To choose aeroplane seats that a family might need?

[IamGrout]

I have a number of hidden disabilities that can make long flights painful and distressing and after a particularly bad long haul night flight a few years ago I have since made sure to book extra legroom aisle seats so I have a little more space and room to move around to alleviate pain in my joints. It is still uncomfortable and I cannot sleep but it is more bearable.

I have booked a holiday to DisneyWorld in Florida this summer for me, DH and DS15. I have spoken to British Airways and they have arranged extra legroom seats for me which is great and I am very grateful to them for this. On the way out they have allocated bulkhead seats which are the ones where a baby bassinet can be used. I queried it as I was worried that it will be a flight full of families and someone with a baby might need those seats. The Customer Service Assistant said it was fine as those seats are meant for disabled passengers or those with babies. On the return flight which is a night flight, they have allocated an extra legroom seat (31C on the attached picture) which has no seat directly in front. I think this is brilliant as I will have so much more space to move about without disturbing anyone but will I feel too exposed to be able to sleep? And from experience people will walk into me/kick my legs/stand in that space. Also DH is 6'4" with long legs and as he would be in a standard seat I am sure he would end up encroaching on my space or I would feel bad for him and offer to swap (then really regret it). Seats 31D/E/F, which are bulkhead with space for a bassinet, are currently available. I don't know which will be best. Has anyone here experience of these seats and can offer advice? What would do choose?

For the poll
I am unreasonable = stay in 31A/B/C
I am not unreasonable = swap to 31D/E/F

What are the grey areas in front of the seats?
You don't want the space in front of you to be used as a crossing point by people going to the toilet, for example

Just book what you need. First come, first served.

Just bulkhead walls for service pipes/wiring. Toilets are further back.

Stay where you are and your DH can stretch out a leg to your area if needed or simply use some of the extra room in front to stand/stretch same as you. I would take up the baby bassinet seats when the only reason to make the adjustment is your tall husband rather than your own needs.

Also, if you cannot sleep, you surely won’t be too exposed to sleep!

Book the seats you need

You’re overthinking this. Stay where you are - and do not give your seat to your husband! Although I’d actually suggest swapping to the other side of the plane if possible (so move from 31C to 31H) as there’s usually a bit less foot traffic on that side so less chance of you being disturbed overnight.

They have already accommodated your disability. It would be unreasonable to ask them to change the accommodation to take DH’s height into account, particularly when, as you say, the bassinet seats could then be utilised by a party with a lap infant

I do feel for him though, I’m tall with longer legs and economy flights are hell.

You dont want to be in the bit people stand in. Worst seats on the plane I think.

Sorry, I found the voting tricky so changed to YABU - I think you should stay with A-C

The seating arrangements have been agreed FOR YOU not for your DH. Therefore he does not get to encroach on your space or ask you to swap. The airlines don’t arrange special seats free of charge for those who happen to be tall, they’ve been arranged for your disability. If you view it as a kind of fraud to let him have that seat instead, would that help you?

You can’t go worrying about the needs of other people OP. You’ve got your needs and got in there first to reserve the seats 🤷‍♀️ Yes, it might inconvenience someone else but they should have called BA sooner. They can always change their flight if there’s no bassinet available.

My experience was that being seated next to passengers who were using the baby bassinets possibly wouldn’t be conducive to sleep. I was allocated one as a stand-by passenger and fortunately the air steward found somebody with a baby who hadn’t booked one to swap me with after takeoff. But I certainly wouldn’t worry at all about booking a seat you feel you need for health and height reasons just in case somebody else might also want it, you’re as able to book it as anyone else.

Or if you want a special seat for your DH, you (as a family I mean) could pay for one?

You don’t have to sit all in a row either - there’s nothing wrong with choosing either side of an aisle if you both want (in his case) or need (in your case) the extra room.

People shouldn't be able to walk in front of the bulkhead seats so don't worry about that.
The mains drawback is the arm rests are usually fixed and contain the tray tables, so seats are a bit narrower than standard seats.

Take whatever seats you need for your comfort.

I've travelled with baby and the bassinet is next to useless for anything other than additional storage (& this is a common view in travelling with baby forums). It can't be used when baby is awake. Baby can't be in if it the seatbelt sign is on. It is much easier to just have baby asleep on you so you don't disturb them if the seatbelt sign comes on.

It isn’t a bit where people will stand in. It’s the front of the small economy (WT) cabin immediately behind the small WTP cabin so the only people moving around will be BA staff and any WTP travellers heading to the toilet at the back of the OP’s cabin. So if they need to stand, they’ll do this at the back of OP’s cabin rather than the front. It’s actually a nice relatively quiet little spot the OP has been given.

Is this a serious question? You're not less important than "families" (which do not have to include children to be families).

I have spoken to British Airways and they have arranged extra legroom seats for me which is great and I am very grateful to them for this.

but will I feel too exposed to be able to sleep? And from experience people will walk into me/kick my legs/stand in that space.

Make your mind up, are you grateful or not?!

My mum is disabled, she would be very happy with those seats.

Literally saw a TikTok about this yesterday. I think people walk in that gap to cut across. There was a woman with a bassinet and she had to tell people to stop cutting though but who wants to have to do that? Not me. Sorry if I’ve misunderstood. I also wouldn’t worry about families, I’m one of those with small kids (one with disabilities) but don’t begrudge someone else something that they claimed first or paid for, that’s on me to sort / pay for / be quick with

I always book (and pay for) those seats... never occurred to me to stuff myself into a less desirable seat in case a family wants what I have booked.

What is the problem? Extra legroom! You have been accommodated. Both ways !!!!

Your DH being 6 ft 4 has nothing to do with it!

I get the impression from your OP ( even though you veil it in a modicum of contrition) that you want to manipulate the seating even further to accommodate your DH!

Why don’t you just pay for d/e/f so you can all have leg room?

I understand you might feel awkward but please don't. It is a necessary accommodation. Enjoy your holiday!

Sit where you like. You're not doing anything wrong to do so. Your needs are your needs. No need for the overthinking

book whatever seats you will be most comfortable in. If other people with babies need specific seats, its up to them to sort it.

however, after many long-haul flights, I find the bulkhead seats feel like they have less leg room than regular seats. There is more space for your knees (no seat in front) which is good for DH with long thigh bones. But the bulkhead stops you stretching your toes all the way out in front of you. Normally, I can stretch my feet quite a long way under the seat in front, and in the bulkhead seats I can't. So as a 'average height' person, I always book a regular seat for the most comfort.

Plane seats are pretty much first come first served - you pay for what you want at the price you can afford. You don’t worry about what other people might be doing .
You do sound rather over precious though - the airline has accommodated you as far as they can .. now you might feel “exposed” . I’m sure many people have varied needs physical and mental when flying but most people accept that if you want to go somewhere you have to accept the discomfort for a few hours or you pay up for business class !

As stated here, this is exactly what happens. We have just been on this plane and they had to do an announcement to tell people to stop doing it. They still were as I was in the seat behind. The family ended up creating a barrier with a blanket!
Would your DS/DH be happy in the seat behind you? I would recommend seats 30A/B or the same on the other side.