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

Early bird gets the worm.
Book the best seats available to suit your needs.
Chances are there’ll be no babies on that flight.
Have a lovely holiday.

Yes, they do as do other airlines.

I always double check, before I book my holiday, that the seats I need, not want, are free, and if they are then I can book. I book one for me and one for DH who I need to be sitting next to me.

She didn’t ask for your opinion on the destination and it’s none of your business if others wish to go.

It’s as if wheelchairs and mobility scooters haven’t been invented yet. 🙄

I book essentially those seats on every flight I go on, there’s no need to be a martyr about it.

The Customer Service Assistant said it was fine as those seats are meant for disabled passengers or those with babies.

plus

I have a number of hidden disabilities

equals

Get on with it without a further thought

You book the seats you need. YANBU.

your needs are just as important

Blimey, just book the seats you need and have been offered. Stop overthinking it. First come, first served!

Why do you think your needs are any less important than anyone else's?

@IamGrout please try to stop worrying. Stay in 31C (unless you can move to 31H) and try to enjoy your holiday and flight back.

I’m a regular BA flier (I used to fly back and forwards UK-US-UK for work pretty much constantly) and from your seat map recognise the plane layout and you will be fine. There will be hardly any footfall where you’re sitting, especially on a night flight. Wear an eye mask if you think you’ll feel exposed (I also take one with me plus a big scarf/pashmina to wrap round me). I’ve flown in 31H several times and I know what you mean about exposed but it’s not a problem at night as most people will be sleeping apart from the initial boarding / settling down after dinner toilet rush. People tend not to wander about on US-UK nights flights as there’s only a relatively short time to get some actual sleep in. I’ve suggested moving to 31H instead of 31C only because the crew tend to use the aisle next to C more when they’re moving between cabins and they’ll still be moving around while the passengers sleep.

I’m not as tall as your DH (I’m female, 5’9 with pretty long legs) but I find there’s usually more leg room in standard WT seats than there is with that particular bulkhead WT bassinet row near you so I suggest you stop worrying about that. Your current row 31 seats are fine. Just make sure your DH doesn’t sit in a seat that is behind one with the entertainment system box underneath as he’ll have a bit less leg room then. Get him to check under the seats in front as you sit down in row 31 and sit your DS in the seat behind the box if there is one (it’s been a while so I can’t remember if there’s a box underneath row 30A/B or not).

I responded to OP asking me to tell her when I had booked and chartered her private plane. I just explained to OP I would never visit Disney World with my own family. I did go once when I lived and worked in the USA but I knew immediately I would never bring my own children there!

I can't see on your picture. Are the a/b/c seats with the emergency exit? And if do, are you capable of opening the emergency door?

THIS!

I too have invisible disabilities with similar issues to you and I know exactly what you mean about people not seeing that you are struggling and need the support. But, you are worth it. You've paid for those seats so don't give it any more thought!

Perhaps get a sunflower lanyard to show a visible sign to the staff on board - it's just another way to show that you have some invisible condition and might need extra support.

@Changename12

There are a few concerns with 31C, although the bulkhead seat should be OK.
Are you sure you do not have an exit row seat

Looks to me as if 30A/B and 30J/K are the one's that might count as exit row..as you say not sure the centre of row 30 count as such because they are inboard of both aisles but don't quote me on it...

( door over the wing)

The emergency exits aren't always there on Long Haul aircraft, it depends, so TBH we'd need to see the full seat plan to work that out.

She’s not in the exit row nor is she near the toilets. That’s very clear from the seat map. And BA are hardly going to book someone that they know has a disability in an exit row. 🙄

Nobody asked your opinion on this. You do you.

If it is BA2036 literally just back on that flight and not sure for what you are worried about the bulkhead seats will offer anymore protection there will be footfall down that aisle (both sides) as the toilets are at the end and each side sticks to it

Have you sorted out immigration - Orlando Terminal C has a long walk to get to baggage claim - you get luggage first then go through immigration and the queues can be rough - we did 2 hours!

Disney DAS passes have changed now as well - have you looked into that process

I had one of those seats with nothing in front on a flight to Australia. It was great.

Yanbu to book those seats or any other seats. If you’re there first booking it then you get the seats first.

And guess what, you’re a family too. Just because your DS is 15 it doesn’t mean you’re any less of a family than parents flying with say, a 5 year old. You’re literally going as mum, dad and son - a family! So if you think those seats are geared towards families then book them because as I said you’re a family and you shouldn’t feel any guilt.

We were in Disney in Florida a few years ago and the number of mobility scooters (mainly with morbidly obese people using them) was astonishing.

However, the heat and humidity were quite bad and at times I thought I was the fool for walking around on foot.

I know, it is completely overwhelming. We have been before and the first day we went to Disney was a complete disaster. However, the staff at Disney and Universal were wonderful once I spoke to them. They put accommodations in place for DS and he ended up having the best time. I find it exhausting but we go slow and build in plenty of rest time when needed.

It's a crazy place but they are really geared up to help those that need it.

Is a bassinet the same as a Moses basket?

You're overthinking it, you've as much right as them, although when I flew three with three adults and a baby BA wouldn't let us book both bassinet seats and the third adult had to sit behind, so if that hasn't changed you may not all be together. Also can't remember what plane type it was (it was a while ago) but their was barely any more legroom, and as someone previously mentioned it can seem less as you can't stretch your legs out. I do remember when I had the bassinet down I literally had to climb over the armrest to get out, but that won't be an issue for you.
Nowadays I prefer to travel less often so I can go business class or at least economy plus for long haul, but appreciate this isn't an option for everyone.

Sorry but the map didn’t show the door. Yes some people would be that stupid to book people into seats they are not allowed in. A couple of years ago, when we were sitting in the exit row seat, a man who had got his boarding pass at the check in, turned up with a walking stick and had to be moved. The flight attendant said that it happened all the time.

It's not a long flight from Orlando to anywhere in the UK. Between the dinner service and the breakfast service you'll be lucky to get 3.5 hours of darkness. I wouldn't put this much effort into it, personally.

Just book the seats you want and need. That’s it.