Yes, the baby is a girl and she has her own passport, which is required now in Brazil (Mother is Brazilian). Her surname is the father's, so quite different than the grandmother's name.

I think they will probably just try to ask politely to keep the middle seat (grandma's pre-reserved seat) blocked if at all possible. Unless the flight is overbooked and every seat is needed, I would imagine they would try to do their best. It's not just for the comfort of the mother/baby, but who would want to be a PAX being placed in that middle seat sitting next to a mother with 9-month old baby on her lap for the long trip.

I know my colleague (the mother) has some status in Varig, although possibly just the equivalent of *Silver, so that might help. Also, she has sufficient points to request a point upgrade if that might be possible.

Thanks for all the input on this one.

Susan