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

Choose and book the seats you want because for sure everyone else will except for the entitled CF's

Yes, because there isn’t a door where the OP is sitting. That’s the whole point!

This is the more detailed seat map that confirms what I’m saying:

Orlando - London is about 8 hours...

If there's only a 3.5 hour gap between the main meal service and breakfast somethings gone a bit wrong..

This happened to us when Delta 'upgraded' us but only to seats in the main cabin next to the emergency exits where there was no space in front to store 'stuff', the table stowed in the arm and didn't offer much flexibility but wort of all, people tended to gather in 'our space' for long chats and expected us to pull our stretched legs in. Not my idea of an upgrade.

And you have children. One of the worst things you can do for the environment and consumption is have children.

Oh dear.

I used to struggle on but now I wear my sunflower lanyard and book airport assistance.

My last flight away in autumn I was in a really bad way and I couldn't walk much so I really appreciated the porter taking me in a wheelchair through it all. Most airports will buggy you from the plane and expedite you through immigration but I will research what happens at Orlando Airport.

Thank you for the advice. I shall also look into the DAS pass changes as this was a game changer last time.

If you need the seat then use it. No need to feel anything about other people and their children. 🤷‍♀️

You have no way of knowing how my DC came into this world. Regardless, what an awful way to view motherhood and the birth of new life.

Just go Premium economy , it’s much better .

@IamGrout they definitely will expedite you if you prearrange - it is a weird one though collecting luggage first

Yes Universal has as well following the tragic death on stardust racers and very much involves needing to be able to independently get onto rides by yourself - it is quite controversial from what I have read.

And yes DAS pass has also changed

I live on the east coast and fly to LHR many times a year. By the time all is said and done, these days flying east with the breakfast service starting 1.5 hours before landing and the dinner service and faffing ending 1.5-2hours after take off, there's really not long while the lights are off. 3.5-4 hours is normal.

Why do you twist the meaning? Why do you presume you know what I think about children? Do you know me?

It was a response to the snobbery post regarding going to the USA and to D.World.

And anyway, it is also true. If people really, truly wish to preach about the environment then think about having children or not, or how many. Thankyou.

I have a lap baby and always book a seat far away from the bassinets. It never crosses my mind who else might like the seat that I've chosen (or might dislike my baby being away from the expected baby area!)

I must be a bad person as it never crosses my mind about anyone but myself and those I'm travelling with when I book a seat.

Yep I used to do fly between the UK and the eastern seaboard a lot in my working days so I understand what you are on about, especially on flights out of places like BOS and New York.

Thing is Orlando is a lot further south down the seaboard - you'd expect any crew working efficiently to be able to generate 4 hours, minimum, possibly as much as 5 maybe hours between the meal services, lights out, blinds down on something like an Orlando-London with an average flight time....

I recently flew 30A - great seat as lots of legroom and no one in front! Wouldn’t even occur to me to leave seats free for bassinets - I just book the best available at the time! Every man for himself on a long haul flight….

Same, except I know I’m not a bad person! I book the seat I want, which the system allows me to do. I don’t have the mental capacity and inclination to worry about the needs of other passengers.

Same. Obviously book what works best for you, OP.

If they needed those seats then they should have got their arse in gear and booked them

Just book what you need or want. People who are travelling with babies need to get in quick as everyone knows there is limited space. And I don't think babies in cots are that common on Florida flights, it's more toddlers and older kids.

You cannot start worrying about what other people may or may not think. Like the people who tie themselves in knots about leaving yellow stickered food in case someone needy comes along, or leaving the charity shop bargains for the poor people.

If D E and F are the seats where the bassinets are you’re at risk of having a baby in one with their parents on the adjacent seat - I’ve had this happen before. I’ve also had it where that space was indeed used as a crossing point all through the point as the seats in front were Premium Economy and people were kept out of there if they didn’t have a seat there. It’s a risk you take!

I’ve been in those seats on a similarly configured TUI flight.
The crew made an announcement that passengers were to walk around and not try and step across our legs in that location.

If you once lived and worked in the US I assume you sailed back to the UK since you ‘don’t do long haul’?

Same happened on a flight to Barbados. No one took a blind bit of notice 😂

I’d go for DEF.