AIBU to book these seats on a flight?

[Deekaytwo]

We've got row 7A&C seats booked on our upcoming 4hr flight, the middle seat is blocked off and we always use it to put our DS(nearly 2) in after take-off and before landing.

We often get the first row and it really makes a massive difference when travelling with DS: the extra space at the bulkhead is invaluable for him, and to keep him contained to not bother other passengers.

We didn't manage to book early enough this time, however according to the seat map 1C&F are empty (usually just blocked for the comfort of the Gold member seated in the other seat), these usually open up just before the flight.

So: am I being unreasonable to move us to the empty seats in the front row and hope/expect 1A or 1D to move so that we can sit together? They'll still have their aisle/window and won't have to sit next to a baby, so I think it's win-win..

Not to drip feed, I'm also 5 months pregnant, so anything to make things more comfortable really.

YABU: Stay in you're current seats and let the fancy Gold members keep the empty seat next to them!

YANBU: It doesn't make any difference to them and will make your journey more comfortable (and probably everyone elses as DS will have more room to be contained)

I never like to make plans that are based on the reliance of the goodwill of strangers, tbh.

Yabu to expect other people to give up their booked seats for you.

WTF, no you cannot expect someone to move for your convenience. Book seats that work for you and assume that any that are already booked will remain occupied by someone else.

You can't rely on them being willing to move. They might have their own reasons for also wanting the empty seat.

By your own admission, you didn't book early enough.

They might also have a baby, or some other reason they need the bulkhead room though so you can't rely on it.

No, you CF!

I wouldn't move but I guess quite a few people would as they would feel bad

YABVVVU. You're expecting someone to basically move to the back of the club cabin just because you want the bulkhead.

And you shouldn't be putting your DS in the blocked middle seat either. If you want 3 seats together, book in economy.

If you book those seats, do it on the basis that you're willing to remain in them if others don't move for you. It's a risk.

My DH and I flew recently with our baby and on the way out we were able to get a seat for our baby by asking a couple if they were willing to consider swapping with us (they were in a row of 3 with a spare seat that they weren't taking advantage of, we were on a row of two). On the way back there was a whole row of 3 free so we lucked out there too!

I feel like there's no harm in asking as long as it's lighthearted with no pressure on the other passenger to accept (and you don't get cross if they say no!)

Total CF

As long as you don't moan if they say no to moving. They might want the bulkhead specifically for leg room or whatever. As long as you will accept a no graciously then there's no harm asking.

What you're hoping for is reasonable on the basis the other passenger would be swapping like for like but I wouldn't rely on it or be pissed off if the other passenger said no.

I assume this is a piss take

They'd be swapping on the same row.

Looking at it I can't see how it makes any difference to them what side they sit on so I would give it a try.

No don't be a CF.

In this situation I'd likely have chosen my seat for a reason and if you asked if I'd swap the only 2 scenarios are

1/ I don't move then feel awkward the whole flight

2/ i move and feel resentful the whole flight.

Reminds me of the nightmare mother and her kid (and MIL if I recall) who caused mayhem on our return flight from Majorca last year. Demanding she wanted the front row seats because her child blah blah blah.

Why they weren't offloaded I don't know. Six people had to move from seats they had paid a premium for, and the flight was delayed by 70 minutes because of her antics.

I wouldn’t move and I don’t care if it suits your toddler to be contained. It’s a flight - all parents have had to deal with it.

I wouldn't rely on someone giving up a seat they've chosen to accomodate you- there is a huge movement in social media with people declining to do this. If he's 2 your child should have their own seat shouldn't they?

Is this a reverse and it already happened?

Sorry! Saw you don't pay for him yet!

But the other people would stay in the front row?

This is my thoughts too!
Don't set out to make someone else feel annoyed.
Choose seats that are already available for you to sit next to each other. It's only a four hour flight, you should be able to manage your own child for that time.

As PP have said, only book it if you're prepared to travel in the seats you've booked! I wouldn't book on the proviso you need someone to swap with you, personally I'd keep your current seats sat together.

Is this in Club?

I think most people would give their right arm for a spare seat in Row 7 to use for a toddler as it is.