I've never flown with my kids... where is best to sit with them?

[triplefigs]

It'll be me, DH, and our 5 year old triplets. The kids have never flown before, and I think one of my DS may have a problem with the noise. I've been looking at seatguru, but I need some guidance. Where is the SAFEST place to sit with small children? Near an exit? The front or back of the plane? I'd always heard the back was safest, but is that really true?

Thanks for any help!

 

[DawnCt1]

You will not be able to sit in an exit row if they are under 15. They need to be able to operate the door. I don't think anyone row is any more safe than another unless you value the proximity to an exit row. If you don't want to wait until the entire plane deplanes, I would choose a seat closer to the front so you can exit earlier.

 

[goofy4tink]

Closer to the front is a bit quieter I think. But it is sometimes harder to get those seats. And since you are going to have to split up, 3 and 2, I would try to get 3 seats in one row and the other 2 seats in the row in front of you. The kids are probably going to be antsy and this way they can talk to each other rather than trying to crawl across the aisle. The seats close to the wing tend to be noisier.....at least this is my experience.

 

[stage manager]

Where to sit depends on the plane. If the engines are in the back (MD-80 series or DC-9) that is the loudest place. If they are under the wings, (anything in the 700 series) the kids won't notice the noise as much.

Look at the seating arrangements. If they are 3-2 then book whole row. Alternate kid-adult-kid aisle adult-kid. This will keep them from getting anxious and picking at each other (at least if your kids are like mine) It also makes sure that if the noise bothers one of them, they are by a parent for comfort.

If it is 3-3 book 3 on one side and the aisle and window on the other. Unless the plane sells out, that lonely middle will go untaken for a LONG time. The other choice is to do this in rows in front of each other, but that results in them wanting to climb over seats.

Where you sit in the plane is safe, front or back. I usually worry more about sane.

 

[triplefigs]

Thanks everyone! We're flying Delta. Going down it's a 777-200 and coming home it's a 763. This is the 777 Seat Chart and here is the 763 Seat Chart.

Any more thoughts? On the 777 the only availability is pretty much over the wing and back. On the 763 flight I can get all the way up front.

Thanks for all the help! I truly appreciate it!

 

[puffkin]

Whoa, those are big planes! I would try to sit a few rows away from the bathrooms. Not too close to be constantly bothered by them, but close enough to get to them easily because with 3 5 year olds I am sure you will be visiting them frequently.

Maybe you could buy earplus or earplanes for your kids. That would help with any potential noise problems as well as pressure problems. And make sure you pack plenty of snacks/activities to keep them busy.

I generally don't see much noise difference in a plan unless you can sit in the very front, which is usually first class and not an option anyway.

 

[goofyforlife]

Sitting forward of the wings will give you a smoother ride. (If you are concerned about plane sickness or anything.)

I would only sit in the back of the plane if your kids HAVE to go all the time.

We HAD to sit in the back of the plane one year and I hated everyone bumping by us every minute and it took forever to get off the plane.

We flew with my DD at age 5 and she refused to use the plane bathroom. She was fine with us going right before flight time and then after we landed in the terminal... But only you know your own kids.....

 

[Brygida]

It'll be me, DH, and our 5 year old triplets. The kids have never flown before, and I think one of my DS may have a problem with the noise. I've been looking at seatguru, but I need some guidance. Where is the SAFEST place to sit with small children? Near an exit? The front or back of the plane? I'd always heard the back was safest, but is that really true?

Thanks for any help!

The safest place anywhere on the aircraft (statistically speaking) is in the rear. It is where the infamous black box sits, just for that reason. It is also the most turbulent back there.

For the least turbulence, sit over the wings. That is where I prefer to sit when I fly.... Statistically speaking, flying is the safest mode of transportation.

BTW... I design aircraft.

Brygida

 

[Cam2Mike]

I have flown with my (now) 6 year old twins 3 times. We have been at the back, front and middle. I think it is loud everywhere but find the front (not First class) less noisy than the back. I also prefer the front because you get off the plane faster and are closer to the bathrooms in the front which people seem to forget about. When the kids have been sitting still for three hours getting off the plane ten minutes earlier is priceless! Also, there always seems to be longer lines and more activity in the rear bathrooms. For the noise I recommend portable tape or DVD players. I was able to get a head phone splitter so my kids could both listen to the same thing. It was hard for them to hear through the headphones at times but it forced them to concentrate on what they were listening to which actually keep them quieter and contented. You could also consider some of the leap pad products with headphones. As far as ear pressure, I recommend anything chewy( my kids were too young for gum) and also lollipops.

 

[triplefigs]

One final question! Is there a better side of the plane to sit on? Right vs Left? If you sit on the left side (facing the cockpit) will it be easier to get off the plane since that's the side the door is on?

This is what I've requested currently: For the return flight I got us on row 15 & 16 with us 2, 2, and DH on the middle aisle seat. We are in front of the wings on the left side.

For the flight down we are on rows 37 &38 (closest I could get to the front) over the wing. Got the 3 seats and then window and aisle (left the middle seat empty- thanks for the tip!). Also on the left side.

Thanks again to all!