How do you sit on an airplane with 4?

[Maesa]

Hello - Sorry not Disney related but we are flying to Disney in November. Its 4 of us. 2 kids and 2 adults. The plane seats 3 - row - 3. How do you do your seating? I was thinking of 2 behind one another so each kid can get a window with a parent. I would love the kids and I in one section and my husband across the isle but after thinking about it I think the kids will fight for the window. 6 and 3 years old. First time for the 3 year old to fly.

 

[lovetoscrap]

Moving to the Families Board.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

When I had two, we just sat aisle and middle across. It's easier to get up and go to the bathroom, etc. if you have an aisle.

Now that I have three and they are older, they sit three across and we sit on an aisle and middle either across or a row up or back.

 

[CatesRDisneyFans]

We've done all 3 with either my husband or myself across the aisle and we've done 2 in a row and 2 in a row directly in front or behind. I don't think I have a preference of how we sit on the airplane.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

We put the 2 kids and one adult in one row then the other adult in the same row but across the aisle.

We like this because we at least get one row to ourselves. I know we won't bug anyone else in that row and we can have all our stuff out It also allows one adult to chill out in the lone seat (gotta love noise cancelling headphones and a neck pillow). DH and I trade off on the flights so maybe on the way there he'll get the 1 seater and then on the way back, I will.

And the kids also switch off on the window seat - one on the way there, one on the way back.

We have done the 2 and 2 either in the same row or in adjoining rows but inevitably you have to really keep your kids on their best behavior lest some anti-child person sits next to you In the same row though, if my son elbows me accidentally or the kids end up stepping on our stuff, it is all OURS and we don't have to worry about that small stuff upsetting certain adults.

 

[ChrisM]

We put the 2 kids and one adult in one row then the other adult in the same row but across the aisle.

We like this because we at least get one row to ourselves. I know we won't bug anyone else in that row and we can have all our stuff out It also allows one adult to chill out in the lone seat (gotta love noise cancelling headphones and a neck pillow). DH and I trade off on the flights so maybe on the way there he'll get the 1 seater and then on the way back, I will.

And the kids also switch off on the window seat - one on the way there, one on the way back.
.

This. Exactly.

 

[CanuckTraveller]

This. Exactly.

Ditto. DS2 was still in his car seat on our last flight, so he automatically got the window. DS1 didn't care, he could see out the window I find having the two kids in one place with one adult much easier, as inevitably something you need is packed in the wrong carry on. Having everyone across one row (2 adults and a child on one side, other adult across the aisle) makes logistics easier. Plus when one child wants the other parent, it's easy for the adults to switch seats.
We won't have car seats on our next flight (DS2 is 5 yrs and won't be on a flight for at least 2 years), and considering the boys will have more patience (!), we may accept the 2 and 2 set up if necessary. The scenario I hate is the 3 and 1

 

[Christen99]

We have two adults, and two kids and are flying out on Saturday. We're splitting one adult per child, and will sit with two in front. We were having a really hard time figuring out how to split up because both of the kids are special needs and they need at least one adult, but an additional adult smewhat close. One is more severe than the other, so I didn't want to be too far away from my husband in case either of us need help. I think this will work out best, because if my son kicks the seat in front of him, it will be someone he's related to and not some random who will get pissed off without knowing the situation.

 

[tjmw2727]

Another vote for 3-1 with one adult across the aisle, except if we have a potential kicker - in which case the "lone adult" goes in front of the child who may kick.

Otherwise the lone adult is across the aisle and the kids take turns with the window seat. This way they can share the DVD player, with headphones of course and its easier to bring one backpack of toys and snacks as mentioned above.

 

[TwinkleKS]

We have five or six. So we would fly 3 and 2 or 3 and 3. In your situation, I would fly 3 and 1, especially if the kids are younger. If they are older 2 and 2 wouldn't really matter. But with younger kids, it would probably be less disruptive to have 3 and 1 across the aisle.

 

[krd315]

Either will work but we prefer the 3 and 1 across the aisle and have the dgd's switch off with the window seat.

 

[emma'smom]

DH and the dd's in a row of three....mom in upgraded first class! See you in the terminal kiddies!

 

[messybug]

We do two and two. I know that I'd be the one with both kids the entire trip if we did three and one.

 

[lillykat]

We sit 3 and 1 across the aisle. I usually sit in the middle so i can help each one get stuff out of their bags. As far as window seats. We have a deal the one who got it going give it to the other coming back. This way both get a window seat. If they can't decide I would have them pick out of a hat or pick a number or a hand whatever to determine who gets the trip there vs the trip back.

I know some people say pick 2 rows aisle and window and hope no one wants middle. But usually the flights can be full then you either have a stranger sitting in the middle with you, or usually they be happy to switch for the aisle but then you will be trapped in the row which is a pain when someone has to go potty.

 

[wallawallakids]

When we only had two kids we did an adult and a child in one row, and one adult/child in the next row behind. I think it is easier to have each adult responsible for one child the whole ride. Now we each take two children and sit 3 and 3. Of course we are often on flights that have only two seats on each side and in that case we stick our two big kids either in front or behind one of us while my husband and I each take a little kid. Have a great trip!

 

[Maesa]

WOW - Great information!! Thank you everyone. Your idea 3 and 1 makes so much more sense then mine! Thanx again !!!!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Either will work but we prefer the 3 and 1 across the aisle and have the dgd's switch off with the window seat.

Another vote for this one. First flight ever, we did 2 and 2. But quickly realized the boys actually want to sit together so they can play games, chat, be silly....whatever they do together! Flight goes much, much faster if they have one another to occupy themselves. Of course, this only works because they get along so well! It's usually me with the two boys, husband right across the aisle.

 

[cogero]

We do 3 and 1

DS always gets the window since he is on the autism spectrum and this keeps him calm. I sit in the middle and DH on the aisle. DD sits across the aisle. My kids are 5 and 11.

In August we are doing our first trip as a family of 5 and will have a lap baby we will do the same configuration except DH and I will switch seats.

 

[shoney]

Another vote for this one. First flight ever, we did 2 and 2. But quickly realized the boys actually want to sit together so they can play games, chat, be silly....whatever they do together! Flight goes much, much faster if they have one another to occupy themselves. Of course, this only works because they get along so well! It's usually me with the two boys, husband right across the aisle.

This is how we sit as well. Works out for us!

Last flight had just 2 seats and 2 seats, so the boys sat together and we sat across the aisle from them. We'll do that again on the way home from Orlando soon.
When they were little, they switched mid-flight to share the window seat. Once they got older, one would take it on the way there and the other on the way back.

 

[Coconuts]

We have done both. I think the 3 and 1 works a little better with smaller ones. The kids fight less at younger ages (at least mine did) and this way both kids have access to mommy and daddy. When they are younger they also have to go to the bathroom more frequently, so if you have all 3 seats, then you aren't bugging the aisle person to keep getting up. The 2 and 2 are better when they are older so they don't fight with each other (it gets worse every year) and they both get window seats and they don't have to go to the bathroom every 5 minutes (and bug the stranger on the aisle as much).