BA Club Europe With A Toddler

[FettleOfKish]

I think I already know the answer to this, but travelling alone with an 18 month old on your lap in BA Club Europe, would you book window or aisle?

Part of me says window as he might be entertained looking out, but the other part says aisle so if we need to get out for the loo or to distract him from a grumble we can do so easily.

DH is going on a course for two weeks in December (who the hell runs two week residential courses in December?!?) so toddler DS and I are flying to join him for a long weekend, two (short) flights each way and I’ve realised I’ve enough Avios to book reward flights in Club Europe for about the same as economy. Relieves one worry as DS can occasionally thrash about when he can’t have something he wants and at least there won’t be anyone directly next to us, just some poor soul across the middle table.

Any other lone travel tips welcomed! We’ve flown with him before and will do again beforehand but I’m nervous to do it alone, although I appreciate plenty of people do and much further!

How long is the flight?

An hour, then 2.5 hours in Heathrow, then just shy of 2 hours. Reversed on the way back of course! Sadly nap time falls in the Heathrow bit both ways, which may be a blessing but also could be a curse!

Upsets me so much to think of all the people on their trips of a lifetime having the journey ruined by your "grumbling" toddler. I'd be so angry!

Oh wait it's only club Europe

Never mind

Children on planes still suck

I think window or aisle would work, you may even get lucky and the aisle or window (depending on what you choose) doesn’t get booked.
Are the bulkhead seats blocked out if you try to book? They often are for Club Europe.

Does that apply to every parent on a plane just in case someone is on a ‘trip of a lifetime’ to… somewhere two hours away from the UK… seems a bit extreme to have your journey ruined by the presence of a baby on the plane.

OP I’d actually say window as I just find the aisle is temptation to run away, and the extra seat in between creates plenty of space with your neighbour so no risk of annoying them really.

Heathrow has a soft play in T5, and I’d aim for the nap a bit late on the plane, which we broadly always succeeded with (and means an uninterrupted G&T or two for you on the plane).

I’d go aisle personally so you can get up if you need too.

Thanks for the helpful input on the travel board of a parenting forum 🙄

I’ve selected a window seat on the back row of the section on all four flights. I do feel like the aisle will be invitation to try and get down, and looking out of the window a good way to pass the time (among myriad snacks and some new for the journey toys).

I’d actually go further forward if you can as you’ll get served first and be able to get the attention of cabin crew if you need. The toilets are also close to the front so easier access. The curtain behind the back row might also be a temptation for your little one to play with.

Oh sod off. For a start, this is a parenting forum.

But secondly, children on flights can be fine. I have two, they've both flown since they were tiny, they've never grumbled. They sit still and people watch, or watch something on a phone/iPad, or do colouring. They're fine to sit next to. Arguably better than people who play music out loud without headphones or recline their seats the whole way; and definitely better than people knocking back several drinks and getting rowdy...

The bulkhead seats in Club Europe (i.e. row 1) are blocked for BA Golds and only released 24 hours before departure (if they aren’t already reserved).

@FettleOfKish in your position I think window is the best option. To be honest on some BA club flights the middle seat just has a removable drop in table because they can extend or shrink the club area. Being at the back of club means you might be able to take this out to allow your DC to sit there after take off or even you sit in the middle with your DC in the window seat.

No you shouldn’t do this but if I was in the aisle seat I might even suggest it on the basis that a happy child is more likely to be less disruptive.

I think what you're looking for is a private plane, not the expensive part of public transport.

Loads of people suck on public transport, including planes.

Haha this was going to be my exact suggestion! But wanted to check replies before I pressed send.

I’d book the window personally so they can see out. We were on the tarmac for 40 minutes after landing and being able to look out was godsend. Book at the back of the cabin to hope you get a row to yourself, but if you don’t your fellow row mate may be kind enough to let you removed the middle console so toddler can sit there (suggested by the cabin crew when we flew, basically a free seat). Use the soft play at Heathrow to tire them out and sit in the lounge overlooking the planes. If travelling from T3 would recommend Cathay over BA (you can use any one world lounge).

Dont go back row
If you want any choice of food and more than 1 drink go as far forward as you can

I'd try and keep him awake and entertained in the terminal and then let him nap on the plane. You'll be fine, I'd probably go window so he's less likely to try and escape.

Not bothered about either of those things, the flights aren’t long enough and the time we’re in Heathrow straddles lunch so we’ll eat there where I have space without him being on my lap! I figured back row means we can kind of tuck into the corner with the curtain behind us and have less distractions in the hope of a nap!

Wow, just wow. I have had far more flights ruined by drunks, loud passengers and unpleasant people than I have by intermittent issues with children. Never have I felt afraid because of a child on a plane, whilst I have with a group of drunken louts on a redirected flight to Ibiza.

Nice to hear a responsible parent who is taking advice about making the best possible choices for herself, her child and other passengers.

Agree with PPs by the way, even before I had DS I’d wish for babies and kids on flights every time over some of the adults I’ve encountered. Overnight to South Africa with 9 month old twins across the aisle, no problem. The Ryanair Manchester to Palma Magaluf express where I was moved to an exit row by virtue of being the only sober adult on the flight? Never ever again!!