Not sitting with children on reassigned flight

[Miniaturemom]

Our flight was cancelled and we have been reassigned one on Monday, naturally the plane is full and we no longer have seats together. We have 4 aisle seats, 2 opposite each other and one behind another a few rows away. This is all understandable and as far as I’m aware acceptably close to parents (kids are 3 and 7).

I have so many more pressing problems in life… but my 7 year is very upset about it (this is a child who hid under the table in floods of tears last week because she was overwhelmed when we met up with friends). I think the 3 year old will be ok, but wondered if anyone has experience of this and how it went? I’m hoping they’ll think it’s a novelty. I suspect people will assume we just didn’t want to pay for seats.

Probably irrelevant-
Flight is only 4 hours and I have a degenerative neurological disease, so everything is just a little more challenging particularly without husband’s help, although I never need to request extra help from airlines.

I’m trying to work out the arrangement - you say you have four aisle seats, so is there another adult with you? If so, you should be with one child each.

Im fairly sure that airlines legally have to seat children with an adult for safety reasons (which might be behind or across the aisle). If that means bumping someone else’s reservation, so be it.

I wouldn’t expect a 7yo to be OK sitting with unknown adults (and I wouldn’t expect the adults to be ok with it either).

I see the issue kind of. Your dh needs to sit with the 3yo across the aisle. You sit further back with 7yo in front of you. 7yo is old enough to get up and see Dad for help with anything you can’t do.

but that’s if the airline really cannot do anything about your children sitting next to an adult each. That might mean you and dh are separated but child is in the seat next to a parent at the very least.

I’d plan and prepare the DC that they are probably going to have to sit next to a stranger, plan for 3yo and DH sitting opposite each other, you furthest back with 7yo in front of you.
But when you get to the airport you could try asking if there’s any way to swap seats, you could also ask people on the plane - if it were me I’d swap a middle seat next to a strange child for an aisle seat! If you ask politely with no pressure to agree I don’t think people will mind.

Apologies I am tired and explained it appallingly! 2 seats opposite each other, then several rows away another 2 aisle seats, one in front of the other.
I will probably do what minisoks has suggested ^
Airline is easyJet, and that arrangement is allowed apparently, I am ok with it, just concerned one of my kids will be upset or disruptive.

You should request airline assistance. I also have a neurological degenerative condition and stressful situations can exacerbate my symptoms. The first time requesting assistance is the worst and you may not need it but I would recommend just making them aware. It could make all the difference.

You explained it perfectly clearly first time around.

Thank you all! I’m going to chat to the girls in advance, let the airline know (stress is my major flare trigger and am a champion worrier) on the day and hope for the best :)

So you have all aisle seats?
the chances are then that somebody will be happy to swap a middle seat for an aisle seat so that you can sit next to one of your children. Plus, aisle seats mean that it’s easier for the older child to move between parents once the seatbelt sign is off.

If ye people next to you aren’t travelling together you can ask politely. Just explain that you were re-assigned a flight and your child has ended uk in an aisle seat ahead and if they would refer an aisle seat would they swap. If they say no be gracious about it. Even the person next your child may swap with you. If you are offering a better seat it’s easier.