Seat configuration- least worst options !

[sleepytoday]

Hi

Family of five, DCs will be 5,3 and 9 months, so we will only buy four seats.

Configurations seem to be 3,4,3 or 2,4,2 with cots at the front, but it seems that we can only book the cot configuration if we have 2 babies (ie we can't take up two cot positions by taking the four seats at the front). I think 5 and 3 year old will enjoy sitting next to each other for at least part. Flight is to US so one day flight and one overnight flight, can have different configurations. Options are:

• four together but without cot option, all together but no windows and bit more cramped

• three together with cot and one behind, I sit behind with baby on take off and landing and DH sits with other two, kids can be together and have quiet bit for one adult

• two and two with one with cot, difficult for three and five year old to be together and one person has child and baby on take off and landing

Anything else ?

We've used the cot before and I expect baby will want to sleep on me but the extra area and no one in front of you makes a big difference

Will the 9 month old fit in the bassinet?
We usually do 3 and 1, but kids are MUCH bigger.
Think I'd do 2+2, or 1+3. I don't think they will give you 3+1, unless the flight is pretty empty.
Don't do 4 with no bassinet!

My kids never slept in the bassinet at that age. And I'm not a fan of the middle row of seats.

I would put DH with older 2 on the side and take a seat with bassinet if you think your 10 month old will sleep in it.

I doubt very much that your 9 month old will fit into any bassinet on board, they tend towork better for newborns.

Which airline is it, this willl also have some bearing on what is offered.

I would seat both children alongside your children and with you in an aisle seat with your youngest next to you. Would certainly also take enough foodstuffs for the flight, do not rely on the airline here to fully provide.

DH and 2 children in 3 seats. Don’t ever leave young children without an adult to supervise with meals, drinks, loo trips and behaviour. You have a bassinet seat with the baby so you can supervise older two children if DH has to do a loo visit. Whether the baby sleeps in the bassinet doesn’t really matter. Try for all seats in the same row. So effectively 3 plus 1.

3 plus 1, pay to prebook and get the seats at the front of the 2nd half of the economy section (assuming you’re going economy). I’ve seen older babies in bassinets in those seats, it’s not just for newborns.

This might help

www.flyingwithababy.com/top-tips-to-help-baby-sleep-on-the-plane/

I took my 11 month son to Florida on Virgin. He fitted perfectly in the bassinet and was not a small baby.