We're flying - what is best seat config?

[ErinInCT]

We are a family of 4, 2 adults, 2 kids. We are flying SWA which has rows of 3 seats. What is the best/easiest seat configuration for our family. One child is in a car seat so she'll have to be at the window so one adult will be in the middle. Where do the other family members sit to be closest & convenient.

Here are the options:
X - seat, A - adult, C - child, B - baby

1> XXA CAB (whole family in one row, adult in the middle of the kids & other adult on the aisle next to us)

2> XXX XAB (family split up directly behind each other)
XXX XAC

3> XAC XAB (family split up in same row with "stranger" in btwn)

Holding the baby is not an option. She is too squirmy & even though it will only be a 2 hr flight she is not much of a lap baby!! So she will be getting her own seat!

Just curious what configuration other families have used. We usually have one backpack (diaper bag) carry on that has stuff for the baby & the 4 yr old but I guess we probably should use 2 so if we are seperated we won't have to constantly be asking for someone to get something if we are not too close together.

Thanks!
OH yeah, what happened to the countdown at the bottom of the screens???

ErinInCT (although not any more, now in MD!)

 

[goofy4tink]

I like option 1. I don't really like having my kids sit near strangers, so having maybe dad sit across the aisle would be a good idea.

 

[Jestocost]

We'd typically opt for this configuration:

XXA CAB

That way everyone is together and you're not broken up by strangers. If the flight's not full, however, you can roll the dice with this configuration:

XXX XAB
XXX XAC

On an uncrowded flight, you could get lucky and have no one opt for the aisle seat. Then, you'd have ane entire row of three seats for just two family members. As I said, however, you have to roll the dice and/or be ready to do some quick switching if things don't work out. That's usually too much trouble for me relative to the potential gain, so that's why we most often go for the first option I noted.

 

[ErinInCT]

Hmmm, I am on Southwest which I think does NOT confirm seats & we get to pre board. MAYBE I can try to do this:

XXX AXB
XXX AXC

Adults on the aisles, kids at the windows & no one would probably take the middle seats if it is not crowded. I can probably ask at the desk b4hand. Or better yet, child on the aisle & NO ONE would want to sit next to a 4 yr old!!
Then if worse comes to worse & it is full I'm sure the stranger would not mind getting an aisle seat (trading for the middle). Otherwise we'll do XXA CAB. I'll talk dh into being the adult in the middle, or maybe we can do an hour each!

We are going the end of Sept which is off season so maybe it would not be crowded.

 

[hezzie]

Being a family of 4, we have tried various seating arrangments and have found keeping 3 in one row with the other adult in the seat across the aisle works best for us. Depending on the length of the flight, I usually start off with the kids and Dad gets to take them to the bathroom, if needed. If it is a longer flight, then we switch off so we each take a turn.

We made the mistake of sitting two in row across the aisle from each other and being a full flight, we could not pass things or talk, which the kids like to do.

Of course, on a recent flight to Arizona, I would have preferred to have my husband sit in front of my DD (6) as her legs were not yet long enough to sit in the seat properly and she ended up kicking the seat in front of her many times (not on purpose). Her legs just stuck straight out because her knees did not reach the end of the seat. Needless to say, we had a very unpleasant older gentleman in front of us who was rather rude and kept complaining.

I realize it was probably annoying, but we were seated first and he chose to sit in front of her when there were plenty of other seats open. We've always received compliments on how good our kids are and how they didn't even realize there were kids around them.

Good luck!

 

[Mel6197]

Since my daughter is a Seat Kicker..We opt for the Option of Kicker at widow me in the middle and other child on Isle with Dad in window in seat infront of our Kicker so she only annoys her Dad and no one else.. Or I Try for Bulk Head and Let Hubby sit by himself which He LOVES...

 

[ErinInCT]

Hmmm, didn't even think about kickers & yes, I'll just bet dd4 will be a kicker! I think maybe dh or myself might just have to sit in front of dd4! Or better yet, we will try for the bulkhead.

 

[canwegosoon]

I usually do option one if possible.