Tips for flying BA London to San Francisco with toddler/seating in particular!

[MtnBikeChick]

Does anyone have any advice for travelling LHR to San Francisco with a 19 month old? We are flying out premium economy (with a seat each) and back business. I am having a slight quandary about where to sit on the outbound (daytime) flight. I have use booked into the front row bulkhead seats but have realised the arm rests don't lift up. If my son wants to nap, he won't be able to lie across onto my lap. The cot fitting is in front of the seat next to us ? they won't let us sit in front of the cot fitting as I have booked a seat for him (and therefore he is listed as being over 2 years, even though he is not). I really don't like the idea of sitting behind another row as my son has a tendency to accidently knock the seat in front, or want to play with the tray table ? which is incredibly annoying for the person in front. I guess we may be able to switch around and use the skycot britax seat that BA have, but there could be another baby next to us that needs the fitting more. Advice anyone? General tips for surviving the 10+ hours with a toddler most welcome!

If you get the front row in premium economy then my 9 year old curled up on the floor in front of our seats. on ba the premium economy is a very small section and this front row has a solid panel in between PE and business. we just rolled up a jumper on top of the pillow provided and he lay down on the floor. advice is to take a bag of toys just for him. go to the charity shop buy cheap little things like flash cards, cars, teddy etc that he has never seen before. wrap them in old christmas paper and take a new one out of the bag every hour. worked really well with my 3 when they were little. has to be things he hasnt played with before though!

Have you actually reserved the seats for both the outbound and return flights?.

PE usually has a 3-4-3 configuration.

All (usually) four rows of Premium economy seats on BA have immovable armrests. Front row bulkhead seats do not have movable armrests either and tend to be located in World Traveller. These are usually allocated more often than not to newborns.

Re business class on the return I would try to be upstairs in CW if at all possible as it tends to be quieter.

Re your comment:-
"I guess we may be able to switch around and use the skycot britax seat that BA have, but there could be another baby next to us that need the fitting more"
Probably not likely re another baby next to you.

BA.com have a section on there re child seats and what is provided; this may prove helpful to you. I would try and use their Britax seat (ask for written confirmation).

Do not rely on the aircrew to fully provide re drinks and foodstuffs; take what he likes to eat and plenty of it (leave any uneaten fruit behind on the aircraft). If you have a portable DVD player use that; childrens' programmes can be limited. A change of clothes for you both could be handy as well. As you're more likely than not to be departing from T5 at LHR ensure you give yourselves enough time to get to the gate. If you're at C gates allow around 15-20 minutes to get there via the transit train (you'll have a walk after leaving the transit train).

The crew will NOT allow your child to sleep on the floor under any circumstances due to risk of turbulence.