Seating query (for the parents in here)
 

First time I have had to do this, so not sure where to go.

Doing SYD-MEL-SYD next week, down on a 763 and back on a 73H. Two adults, two kids, aged 7 & 11. Flight back is at 1900, and will be within 12 hours of checking in for the forward trip, so wil be able to check-in in SYD.

Best seating options?

• Both aisle seats in two consecutive rows - being a night flight, there won't be a huge amount to look at during the flight, and the kids will probably just be doing dinner and listening to the IFE.
• One entire block of three seats, plus an aisle seat either in front, or behind, or across the aisle. This has a downside in that ONE of the kids gets a window seat, and gets to see the lights of SYD on arrival.
• Anything else that people may wish to suggest.

As I said, I haven't actually done this scenario before, and would be looking for some insights from those who have. The kids love each other to death, but fight like cats & dogs, so would be looking at reducing the risk of in-flight carnage.

Dave

stow the children into the overhead baggage. They may roll around a bit, but any fighting will not disturb other pax :D

Seriously. Most families I see use the 3 + 1 trick. Normally the "more responsible" adult looks after the 2 children on the row and the other adult sits opposite. The adult tends to sit in the middle to ensure the kids don't start fighting.

Another fairly good idea is the 2 + 2 situation. One adult with a child on one row and the other adult and child in the row in front.

Never flown with children before so I probably am not giving you the experienced answer you want... Have been next to unacompanied minors a couple of times and yes it is probably better if you seperate them!!

Good luck with it.

Forgot to add that the 763 is a no-brainer, definitely two rows on the AB side (kids in the windows, adults on the aisle, AB side to allow for my deafness in right ear).

Will have ample time in the QP before-hand, so I will be getting the aisle seat. Was previously on a 763 on this flight, but they XXLD the flight (460 next Tuesday night) and the alternative was a 73H (the 763 before it, on the 458, was problematic).

I like the idea of shoving them in the OHL bins - the 11 year old might be a tad big though. :D

Cheers,

Dave

Surely not that big though. Just wait right at the gate until boarding commences; use your status to be the first to board and toss em up into the empty OSB's! :D

IME Qantas preallocate groups across aisles so get to the aerodrome early.

The 763 should be a POP; however a bit more thought for the 73H. I'd go for A/B's seats in two consective rows. If the flight's full you might find this a bit tough though.

Could you not send him as cargo :)

For the 737s, if it isnt too busy a flight, I would go for Window/Aisle and Window/Aisle. That way they can both have a window if they want and you have a reasonable amount of space; just ask nicely in th QP for them to block the centre seats; they'll likely do it if its not busy

Dave

Reminds me of a hostie friend flying LHR-SIN who had a japanese couple in first who after getting in their PJ's tried to climb into the OHL's thinking they were little bunk beds :D

LOL :D

Did she tell them, or did she wake them when they got to SIN ? lol

In my experience, an 11yo boy is likely to be happy to sit alone in a seat near, but no necessarily immediately adjacent to the rest of the family.

Alternately, put the kids together with the other adult and allocate yourself a separate seat at the other end of the aircraft. just remind the FA doing the CityFlyer beer delivery that you have paid the same fare for the two kids and since they are under age they cannot partake in the beer service, so would she be so kind as to leave their cans of beer with you and you will ensure they are kept away from the minors.