Flying seating question (how to seat 3 kids)

[jessgood1]

Help! Having a little technical difficulty here... We may be flying (may end up driving if I chicken out) The problem is, we have 3 small kids (5, 4, 2) and I can't figure out if we will be able to work one of the smaller planes. Seating charts show a row with 2 seats, and row of single seats on the other side, across the aisle. So, someone (child) is not going to be able to sit beside a parent.

I can put 2 kids side-by side, me a row in front of them, beside the 2-yo and DH either behind the 2 kids, or across the aisle. Any idea how wide the aisles typically are? Any advice? I think the kids will be okay as long as they can see us. But I guess we won't know until they're screaming at the top of their lungs and we can't get to them <lol!>

Of course, the other option is to go Southwest and then we can all get together, but the times are not the best.....

 

[JOC]

Are you flying Continental? We just flew on a Continental plane with the same configurations you described; the aisles aren't that wide so you'd have no problem reaching over to your child if you had to.

 

[hercamore]

Those planes are so tiny you won't have any problem reaching a person 4 seats behind you!

Check www.seatguru.com for some interesting info on seats on planes.


herc.

 

[LoriZH]

Is there ANYTHING on these boards you can't learn? lol That was a GREAT site, THANKS!

 

[mazzarafe]

What I would do is get two-2 rows together and one directly across from the 2 rows. Have the 2 youngest kids sit by the window and both parents on the aisle and have your oldest sit across from you. That way you both can easily get up help the child across the aisle and still be close enough to hold their hand if they are affraid during take-off and landing.

I know that we would chose the option of flying over driving 9 hours anyday. We have the same issues with SW too over their flight times. But for us it will be a difference of cost when they finally release their next batch of flights because Delta is $308.50 per person right now. Hoping they will go down when SW comes in with competition.

I cannot imagine that your 5 yo would not be willing to sit separate from you to get to Disney quicker. You can make up a bag of goodies and new coloring books and things especially for them to do for being so big.

If I had to make the same choice I would do it. You know your child and can get and idea if this wouldn't work.

 

[jessgood1]

Well, it's probably me who will need the comforting during take off and landing LOL! Thanks - hadn't even considered having one of the kids sit over there - that way they can all have a window seat!

Delta is our other option too - just waiting on someone's prices to drop a bit lower...

 

[NotUrsula]

... the flying mechanical pencil!



These planes are not really tiny, not compared with a real small aircraft, like a Cessna, but the fuselage is very narrow. It's also my impression that the cross section is kind of egg-shaped, with the pointy side at the top. What that means is that you need to make sure to minimize your carry-on's, as the overhead bins are only on the 2-seat side. If you are in the front rows, you must step up into your seat, because the aisle slants down in front, the same sort of thing as you find in a large motorcoach.

DH doesn't like sitting on the single-seat side; he finds the shoulder room to be very cramped. (He's 6', and wears a 42 reg. jacket, so he's not built like a linebacker, but he says it's tight.)
I'd put the older child there, I agree.

It is a jet, and the ride is not discernably different than something like a 727 or an MD-80; it's just skinny inside. You may or may not board via a jetbridge; depending on the airport; there might be steps. (Going out onto the runway tends to delight little kids, though.)

 

[jessgood1]

Thanks, my DH is 6'4" and advised me to keep that in mind when choosing seats <lol!>

 

[prncess674]

you will be less than 20 inches from the child across the aisle

 

[prncess674]

Originally posted by jessgood1
Thanks, my DH is 6'4" and advised me to keep that in mind when choosing seats <lol!>

your husband will have to duck on this plane. It is only 6 feet tall inside the plane.