Traveling by plane - 2 adults, 2 kids...question

[Minnie824]

This spring will be the first time flying with our DDs (ages 5 and 3). I'm trying to figure out what the best seating arrangement will be on the plane. So, what has worked best with you in the past? 2 and 2...they both will have a window. The 3 yo can sit in back and not kick anyone elses seat (although, I doubt she would anyway). OR 3 and 1 with me in the middle and DH across the aisle. I'm leaning towards the 3 and 1 because both of my DDs are currently in a 'mommy' phase and would probably argue over who sat w/me. We also are bringing a portable dvd player with 2 sets of headphones, and with us sitting in a row, we could all just watch the dvd. BUT, then only one would get the window seat. What do you think?

 

[SummersMom]

We always request middle-aisle-aisle-middle when we fly. Only once was the plane so full that someone was seated in the window seat next to us. I don't like window-middle because I'm constantly climbing over a stranger to get to the bathroom, or get water, etc. My kids are 4 and 2. Our last flight we had seats in front of/behind eachother and it worked out fine too. I put my 4 year old in the back seat so she could color or play with her toys without having her little brother see and want to share. Usually we do across the aisle though.

 

[JL123]

We're trying the 2/2 arrangement on our first flight to WDW with our 2 children (ages 3 and just 6). Our theory was that they would both want a window, and that they wouldn't kick anyone else's seat but ours IF they decide to kick. The DVD player should help. I'm also putting together activity books for both for entertainment.

Good luck! I'll be interested to hear some other DISers experiences with seating arrangements in flight!

 

[tiggerzpalz]

We always do 2 & 2 (middle and window). Both DS (4.5 & 2.5) bring their leapsters, snacks etc. The older one plays his leapster the whole time while the younger one watches a DVD when he has had enough of leapster. It works well because the if younger one is antsy he is only bugging his brother or his dad who are directly in front of us.

 

[mom*to*2*princesses]

This is our first trip with two kids and I've been thinking about this as well. We have the portable DVD player so the kids need to be beside each other. I'm also a little concerned that our youngest is going to be afraid, as this is her first plane ride and she's in a bit of a scaredy cat phase. We're planning to do is aisle-aisle-middle-window (or opposite, of course!). DH will be across the aisle by himself, I will be in the window seat, and the girls will be "between" us. That way I can keep the youngest away from the window but not have to worry about her leaning into the aisle and getting bopped by a drink cart. And I hate having to crawl over a stranger to get to the restroom too.

Go Bucks!

 

[tjmw2727]

If the aircraft is 3/3 then I sit with my dd's so they can play, share the DVD etc. I always sit in the aisle for ease at getting in/out and grabbing items in the overhead if necessary. Whem the kids were little DH would sit in front of the youngest, especially when she was still in her carseat in case of kicking. Now he usually sits in the asile seat across from me.

TJ

 

[JacobsMommy11002]

We do 3 and 1. On the flight down I get the kids, on the way home, DH does. We also have a DVD player so it works well. And we never made a big deal out of the window, so neither ever cared.

 

[mexican-mouseketeers]

We only have one dd who has flown many times, and she has never cared about getting a window seat.

What definetly did work for us was that DH would preboard with the carseat and diaper bag, etc, and I would board at the end with DD, this way she still had a few more minutes to run around and not sitting still in the plane.

 

[danielle782001]

We have two boys that are less than two years apart. First time we went the baby was 14 months and big guys was almost 3. The baby sat by the window (because of the car seat), I sat in the middle, big boy sat on the other side. I had the DVD player in the middle. BUT that did not work out because they were both too little for head phones and the noise from the plane made the movie to difficult to hear. I also felt like I did not a get a break the entire flight because I was in the middle.

We went again this past Christmas. The baby was a bit over two and the big guy was almost 4. We changed things up. Baby sat by one window with me and the other one sat in row across from us by the window with Daddy. He loved that! He loved looking out the window the entire time and he loved having the full attention of one parent. The baby also did better because my attention was not divided. Again, DVD player was problem because now they were not together and we can't choose between them. I had it but never used it and never really felt the need for it.

Bring lots of snacks! And coloring books!! Skip the DVD. It is just more to carry through security!!!!!

 

[123SA]

In the past, we have done 2 and 2 (not across, but behind). That worked out well. It was easy to talk to DH and each child got the undivided atttention a parent. Plus they both got a window. This next trip will be more difficult because there are now 5 of us. Kids are 7,4 and soon to be 2. The 2 yr old will need the window seat which means the other 2 will be fighting over a window seat. I am thinking about just doing 5 straight across -- then there is only one window seat. Anyone travel with 5?

 

[kacaju]

we have flown with 5. My kids are older though. I had the 13 and 10 year old in front of me, the 6 year old and dh and myself were right behind them.
It worked out well since I was able to just stand up and lean over the seat to talk to them.

 

[tammy1210]

We're doing 2 and 2, however, if they're both more likely to want to sit with you, I'd go with the 3 and 1 - it alternates so much with our kids that I never know who's going to want to sit with who, but in your case I'd probably go with your plan.

 

[mjh8955]

Yes, 2 and 2 would be the best way to go and our kids both liked the window seats. To get our kids ready for their first flight (long ago) when they were 3 and 6 I did a mock-up plane in our living room with kitchen chairs and folding chairs lined up to make several rows of seats with an aisle down the middle. I rigged up an actual check in area and gate with gate number, and used one of our doorways as the security gate. I packed their backpacks just as they would be packed the day of the flight and I printed tickets for them. I also printed matching seat numbers and taped them to the chairs. I attached belts to the seats they would be using. Then we did a "real deal" boarding. They had to go through "security" and board. I was the stewardess and I used a Fisher Price tape player with microphone to make announcements. I announced their flight and told them what "gate" to board at, they had to go on the plane and find their seats by matching their ticket number to the right seat number. They knew how to stow their backpacks immediately under the seat directly in front of them and then buckle up. When the real flight day came they were like pros and everything went smooth as silk. People around us complimented us on how well prepared they were for their first flight. The ONLY problem we had when flying with little kids is once my son's legs were not long enough to bend and hang down in front of the seat; they pretty much stuck straight out and bumped the seat in front. And the lady directly in front of him was NOT tolerant of that constant bumping. We finally just had him sit Indian style so his feet wouldnt be anywhere near her seat.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We have two boys and we usually do 2 & 2 - window and middle. Both boys want a window so mom and dad sit in the middle seats. We usually trade off seat partners for each flight (little guy gets mommy, big guy gets daddy and we switch for the next flight....too bad mommy never gets daddy! ) My favorite planes are MD 80s that have 2 seats on one side and 3 on the other. We always try to get on the 2 seat side so can do window/aisle.

Our boys are older so we don't have the seat kicking issue. But, 3 is the perfect age to teach "quiet feet." We have a lot of leg movers and kickers in the special ed preschool class where I work. Saying "quiet feet" and sometimes extending an arm in front of their legs helps enforce the concept. We have found that always using the same terminology for a desired behavior is best. We say, "Quiet feet, quiet hands, quiet mouth, good sitting, please, etc.). I would start practicing before the flight. Then, if the child starts kicking, you can simply say, "Quiet feet please" and they'll know what you're getting at right away! I'm sure the person in front of the child will appreciate your efforts too!