Flying And The Middle Seat....

[laurie31]

I find myself in the odd position of wishing for the middle seat - lol.

Before you think I'm totally crazy, I will say that when I fly alone, I prefer the window, period. But if I fly alone with my kids, it's nice to be in the middle with a child on each side. If we all go, we do the 2 + 2 thing, and each kid gets a window and a parent. Sometimes we (the parents) get stuck with the middle seat, and sometimes there are only two seats so we get the aisle.

However, this fall, I'm flying alone with the girls, and the plane only has 2 seats across, not three. They both want a window seat, and they both want to sit next to me. Ummm...that's not physically possible. I reserved two window seats and one aisle. So, either they can both have window seats and I'll sit next to one of them, or they can sit next to each other and I'll sit by myself (in the row behind them). I reminded them they can always move during the flight (if they're next to each other, they can take turns by the window. Switching between the solo window seat will be more of a challenge). I already feel sorry for whomever is stuck in that 4th seat next to the odd one out.

(don't worry, I think they will end up next to each other and then they can switch back and forth without bothering anyone else. I won't let them climb over someone else umpteen times during the flight!)

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

However, this fall, I'm flying alone with the girls, and the plane only has 2 seats across, not three. They both want a window seat, and they both want to sit next to me. Ummm...that's not physically possible. I reserved two window seats and one aisle. So, either they can both have window seats and I'll sit next to one of them, or they can sit next to each other and I'll sit by myself (in the row behind them). I reminded them they can always move during the flight (if they're next to each other, they can take turns by the window. Switching between the solo window seat will be more of a challenge). I already feel sorry for whomever is stuck in that 4th seat next to the odd one out.

You're a nicer mom than me . When I fly alone with my girls, on the 2-3-2 configuration, I usually reserve the middle 3 seats so neither of them gets the window! At least we're all together, though. I sit in the middle so they can both lean into me and fall asleep (our regular flight is 10+ hours, and leaves at 7pm).

 

[kaytieeldr]

In order of preference:
1) Window - I'm a real wallflower.
2) Aisle
3) Try to schedule a different flight before taking a middle seat. Most of my flights are about 5 hours. Sitting that long, with my arms crushed against me like I'm in a straight jacket is rough. )

THIS is why we feel the middle seat should get both armrests.

Of course, when the middle seat is empty, I personally feel it's 100% acceptable to raise the armrests or not as each passenger sees fit, and share the middle seat for "stuff" - magazines, computers, my purse... And when both other seats are empty (JetBlue LAS-BOS, 12/25/08, redeye flight exactly 1/3 full) it's fine to raise both armrests and lie down to the extent possible - especially when you just fractured a rib in the airport.

 

[BCDisneyFanatic]

THIS is why we feel the middle seat should get both armrests.

Of course, when the middle seat is empty, I personally feel it's 100% acceptable to raise the armrests or not as each passenger sees fit, and share the middle seat for "stuff" - magazines, computers, my purse... And when both other seats are empty (JetBlue LAS-BOS, 12/25/08, redeye flight exactly 1/3 full) it's fine to raise both armrests and lie down to the extent possible - especially when you just fractured a rib in the airport.

I think we'd get along really well as travelling companions!