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Original poster

what is the best place to sit on a plane with a toddler on your lap?

31 replies

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:25

any advice?
it just occurred to me that we can't sit near the exits, and my whole flight had been planned on letting him run loose in that bit.
so where else is a good place? can we let wander about (supervised of course) anywhere?

OP posts:

pukkapatch · 16/03/2008 22:27

first class

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:31

lol. I have travelled business class once (free upgrade), and it was a dream. and a curtain to separate you from all the drebs in economy

OP posts:

lucharl · 16/03/2008 22:37

why can't you sit near exits?

Tickle · 16/03/2008 22:38

bulkhead seats are good as the little terror toddler can't pull the hair/bang the seat of the person in front for 12 hours.

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:38

well, several people have told me you cant have a child near the emergency exits.
dunno if its true, but seems quite sensible really. especially with ds's love of pressing buttons

OP posts:

moondog · 16/03/2008 22:39

You need legally to be up tp opening the door in event of emergency.

YThe bulkhead best (by kitchen bit-more roomy)

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:39

what bit is the bulkhead?

OP posts:

Tickle · 16/03/2008 22:42

you have a wall in front of you... how big is the plane going to be? jumbos have a couple to choose from, but european flights will only have one... the front row!

lucharl · 16/03/2008 22:45

don't remember being told I couldn't sit near exits when I travelled with 20 month old, we were certainly pretty close. She didn't need to run around 'cos it was a short (2 hour) flight and general excitement and snacks kept her happy. Didn't have to stay on my lap as the flight wasn't full. I've seen plenty of toddlers wandering round the aisles on longer flight, same as adults, don't think anyone would mind.

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:47

ok I know where you mean now. the bit in the middle at the front.
but that means no window seat, and I think that will keep him happy before take off and after landing...
I will check to see if there's room for him to wander about there.
will he be allowed to wander up the aisles?

OP posts:

hanaflower · 16/03/2008 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:47

x post lucharl!
thanks.

OP posts:

lucharl · 16/03/2008 22:53

pleasure ratbunny, you going anywhere nice?

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 22:55

only to spain! 2 1/2 hours i think.
but since I found out we cant have the seats with the big space in front, I panicked! that was my entire plan - stick ds on the floor in front of us. didnt occur to me that he would actually have to sit on our laps!!!!

OP posts:

lucharl · 16/03/2008 22:58

"only to spain"... drool, tapas, sunshine... they only have to sit on your laps for take off and landing, unless flight full of course, that could be a different story

Tickle · 16/03/2008 22:59

I have spent many hours chasing toddlers up and down aisles... don't worry! Any some gooey chewy sweets for take off and landing in case his ears hurt are a good thing to remember.

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 23:04

arrrghhh! the flight better not be full! It is now My Plan to blag a seat for ds in between me and dh.

OP posts:

MrsOnTheMove · 16/03/2008 23:05

Children cannot sit in the emergency exit seat as 'able bodied' persons need to be able to open the exit in an emergency in the absence of a crew member. Having been a crew member and mum of 2dd's I would suggest aisle seats - it means you don't have to ask any one to move for you if lo's need the loo and if the aisle is free they can have a little wander, alternatively a seat near the bulkhead (wall in front of you) - then they could play on the floor, but you would need to find out what aircraft you are flying on as all are different, however other passengers may have priority over you to these seats unless you had a baby and requested a skycot.

lucharl · 16/03/2008 23:12

strangely enough, seats next to toddlers not the most popular on aircraft... if you're going on an easyjet type flight you'll get to go on first and then any sane person without a child will probably avoid trying to sit in your row!

Original poster

ratbunny · 16/03/2008 23:15

thanks mrs - a very concise and informative post!
lucharl - that's what I'm hoping. also, ds's eczema is flared at the mo, so hopefully that'll put people off sitting next to him even more .

OP posts:

Scramble · 16/03/2008 23:22

Are the seats allocated or is it a cheapo free for all?

If it is a free for all get to the front and bag 3 seats. open a pack of wotsits and spread over childs face, let him grin at everyone and they will avoid you like the plague. A fake sick will have the same effect, but remove once everyone is seated so the flight attendants don't twig. Or get DH to sit in the ailse seat and scratch his nuts a cough a lot .

If seats are allocated you are buggered.

What airline and what type of plane and I will get a seating plan.

Original poster

ratbunny · 17/03/2008 08:15

scramble - you sound like you have done this before
we are flying easyjet and have priority boarding, so we will get first choice on seats.

OP posts:

cmotdibbler · 17/03/2008 08:36

A good tip is for Dh to queue up in the Priority boarding with all bags etc, spread stuff all over three seats and sit in the aisle one, then just tell people you will be joining him.

You wait till everyone else has queued up, and then gently pootle on with no queue.

This only works with direct boarding rather than the sort with coaches...

Smurfs · 17/03/2008 08:38

how is the packing going?

Original poster

ratbunny · 17/03/2008 09:19

I am mostly done! Just got a shopping list as long as my arm, and still not found dh's rucksack!
how's your packing coming on?

cmot ( you going to watch the colour of magic this week?) - I was actually wondering if it'll be easier to do that, or to get ds settled first.. i will ask if the flight is full first of all.

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