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Original poster

where to seat a family of four on a 3-3-3 config

22 replies

isore · 27/02/2010 16:14

Hi. Flying london - Sydney in a few weeks. Me, dh, ds (7) and dd (3). Just wondered what you thought would be our best seating plan? 3 in the middle and 1 on an aisle seat or 2 and 2 in front? (then should we go for aisle or window?)

one of our flights is a 3-4-3, should we take a 4 in the middle then?

Also - back, middle or front of plane?

TIA!

OP posts:
MrsBadger · 27/02/2010 16:17

3 in middle (you, 3yo, 7yo), then dh across aisle

and yes 4 in the middle if poss

front of plane least bumpy

EldonAve · 27/02/2010 16:17

2 and 2 in front
that way you get 2 aisle seats

I would still do 2 & 2 in front on the 3-4-3 but in the 4 section if you know what I mean

I don't like being towards the rear of the plane

hocuspontas · 27/02/2010 16:22

Dp-dc-dc on a 3 seat. Me at the back somewhere quiet

Original poster
isore · 27/02/2010 19:00

ok - 3 responses - 3 totally different answers, am even more confused now

OP posts:
mumonthenet · 27/02/2010 19:09

I vote for Mrs B's option.

Aisle seats more important than windows on a long flight.

Hocus.

bran · 27/02/2010 19:09

We did 2 and 2 across the aisle and it wasn't ideal. If I was going on a 3-3-3 formation again I would do what the family in front of us did and have 3 next to the window (or in the middle if you prefer) and one across the aisle. That way one parent did all the kid stuff while the other slept and then they swapped half-way through the journey.

If you do 2 and 2 in front then it would be best to go for middle seats, that way you don't have the problem of someone needing to get past you/needing to get past the person in the aisle seat.

On the way back we were across the middle 4 seats and it worked very well.

The very back of the plane has more movement so not good if anyone gets travel sick (me and DS in our family), plus you tend to get people queueing beside your seat for the loo and you get served food last so they might not have a choice of meals.

Original poster
isore · 27/02/2010 19:58

thanks all, very helpful. Anyone with any more advice?

OP posts:
foxinsocks · 27/02/2010 20:01

what plane is it

there is a link to flight plans for planes somewhere

most 3-4-3s have sets of 2 right at the back due to the aircraft curving in at the back

we find 2 in front of 2 better than 4 across the middle

so check the seat plan first to see if you have those

Linnet · 27/02/2010 20:10

We always do 3 on window side and one across the aisle, usually dh.

coming back from our last holiday we couldn't get a seat across the aisle, so I sat with the girls and dh sat in the seat in front of me.

We've never been on a 3-4-3 flight, I don't think I'd like to be in the middle though I'd feel constrained, I like having the window there to look out of now and again, lol

EldonAve · 27/02/2010 20:19

www.seatguru.com/

Kiwinyc · 27/02/2010 22:21

I'm with Bran with the 3 and one on the other side of the aisle and taking turns but 2 x 2 on each side of the aisle is also good, when my two are seperated they fight less.

milge · 27/02/2010 22:28

aisle seats for you and dh, with a childnext to you.

Tried the 3 and 1 on our last trip longhaul, but wouldn;t do it again as dh took the opportunity to sample all the free booze followe3ed by a 12 hour snoreathon, whilst i was stuck in video game hell in between my dt's < shudder at memory>

Asnear to the front as you can get, imho.

mumoverseas · 28/02/2010 07:36

I vote for MrsB's suggestion.
Wouldn't do 2 x 2 (behind) as we've done that and the kids constantly wanted to lean over seats to each other

seeker · 28/02/2010 07:47

3 and 1 aisle and duty parent swapping at pre arranged intervals.

We once flew as 'accompanying family" with dp to America for a conference and he and his colleagues were upgraded to 1st on the way back and he had to sit with them because they were working. 3 in economy and 1 in 1st is a really crap configuration!!!!

bran · 01/03/2010 09:20

One of DH's friends books 3 seats in economy and one in business and the parents swap over so that they each have a good sleep in a comfy seat. Obviously it would be best to learn from Milge's experience and take the first turn in the comfy seat. The downside of this is that you can't see or talk to the parent in business from economy so there is no way of signalling when you need some emergency nappy or travel sickness assistance.

Rebeccaj · 01/03/2010 09:56

When we went to Sydney three years ago, there was a family in the lounge with us and when they got on the plane it transpired that the parents were up in Upper Class with us and the kids (aged about 12/13) were in economy! (poss premium economy, not sure). That's the way to travel

Anyway...in the OP's situation, we normally do three in a row then one over the aisle, and do the adult swapping over ever so often thing. So you get a least some time to read/have a drink rather than child wrangle the whole way!

Ivykaty44 · 01/03/2010 09:58

I would do

mum in window seat

dad behind with one dc either side

what sort of plane is it? that it is 3-4 -3

I thought it was always 3-5-3

but anyhow

two and two would be best behind each other

then you can swap if needed

CB23 · 06/03/2010 23:10

Another recommendation for 3 by the window and one across the aisle

Feelingforty · 10/03/2010 11:09

we always do 3 at the window + 1 at the aisle & then take it in turns. DD1 always insists on the window, which is ok, cos if we needed to get I think it would be easier to haul her & DD2 out.

waitingforglasto · 10/03/2010 11:13

We have done 2 in front and and 2 behind on the aisle - then ds doesnt kick someones chair the whole way and I know that some numpty isnt going to recline their seat on me as soon as the sign goes off.

As well the airline might not put a single person next to you in the window seats...

Nymphadora · 20/03/2010 09:40

We are planning on the 3&1 dh will sit with kids on landing & takeoff as I hate it & they haven't flown before!
I need an aisle seatso I can walk about

BigTillyMint · 21/03/2010 09:40

We are about to go on a long-haul flight.

DH favours the 3 and 1 option, I prefer 2+2 (glasto's reasoning!)

DH had a hissy-fit when I tried to do the 2+2 on a short-haul recently, so I don't fancy my chances!

I think I will opt to be in the 3 on the first leg, then when the children are cranky and I am tired, I will get to be on my own

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