Which seats family of 4 flying

[sweetdana]

If your 1 yr old is in a carseat, she may kick the seat in front of her. The height and position of the carseat seem to make it easy for kids to kick the seat, even if they're not trying to.

If that's the case, I'd put your older child and your DH in one row and you and the baby behind them so if baby kicks the seat, she won't be doing it to a stranger.

We're a family of 5 and we've always put DH & the older 2 kids in one row and youngest child and me behind them. However, the next time we travel, DS won't be in a carseat, so we'll probably go with all seats in the same row at that point.

Yes my DD1 will have a car seat. (Ideally we would rent a car and need it for that.) I think a car seat would be easier on the plane, but I had not yet thought that far ahead. Seems there is about = for both arguements with 3 and 1 and 2 and 2.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes my DD1 will have a car seat. (Ideally we would rent a car and need it for that.) I think a car seat would be easier on the plane, but I had not yet thought that far ahead. Seems there is about = for both arguements with 3 and 1 and 2 and 2.

They usually require car seats in the window seat. That way it doesn't get in the way of anyone evacuating.

 

[sweetdana]

They usually require car seats in the window seat. That way it doesn't get in the way of anyone evacuating.

ty. Is it better 2 take car seat or check it?

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

We do 3 and 1. I am not a fan of sitting in the middle by a stranger or having to ask a stranger on the isle to move 100 times as my child gets in and out of the row.

Will your oldest care if s/he does not get to sit by the window? If yes, book 2 and 2 so you have 2 windows.

 

[dudspizza]

We did the 2 and 2 seating 1 time and never did it again. It wasn't bad, but it felt like we were separated. We were thinking both kids would want a window. After that, we always go 3 on one side with mom and the two girls in a row and me across the aisle from them. That has always worked the best.

Duds

 

[robinb]

1st trip for out 4 some. YA-HOOOO, We always just got 3 in row. What seats do you pick for your 4 somes? 3 on 1 side and 1 by it self next to you, 2 in a row and 2 in row right in back of it? and and 2 next to each other.


We will have DH, DD8, DD1, and Me. Flight from dtw, so maybe 2 hours ish.

The 1-year old will have to be in a window seat. I would book 2 and 2, otherwise you will be stuck taking care of both kids.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

When we sit 3 and 1, DH and I trade off half way ( or at least for take off and landing) so we each get our fair share of the kids

 

[francie57]

We have done both. When the kids were young we would do the 3 and 1 and as the kids got older we did the 2 and 2 since the kids liked to sit together and we sat behind them. Now that they are grown we went back to the 3 and 1 or last trip on Delta upgrade at online check-in to first class and sat two and two.

 

[sweetdana]

We do 3 and 1. I am not a fan of sitting in the middle by a stranger or having to ask a stranger on the isle to move 100 times as my child gets in and out of the row.

Will your oldest care if s/he does not get to sit by the window? If yes, book 2 and 2 so you have 2 windows.

Nope as long as there is an Ipad.. she won't care. She never looks out the window much.

 

[sweetdana]

We have done both. When the kids were young we would do the 3 and 1 and as the kids got older we did the 2 and 2 since the kids liked to sit together and we sat behind them. Now that they are grown we went back to the 3 and 1 or last trip on Delta upgrade at online check-in to first class and sat two and two.

never had that upgrade!

 

[ccgirl]

ty. Is it better 2 take car seat or check it?

Personally, I think it is MUCH better to take it. The child, especially one that young, is much safer in the car seat should you hit turbulence. Plus, my children always liked the familiarity of it. With the car seat we have, my children have never kicked the seat in front of them. With the former car seat, they could not kick the seat but the tray table did not go down flat as the carseat boosted them up too much. I switched to a high back booster with a 5 point harness and it is much lighter and fits better on the plane. I have also seen the baggage handlers toss the carseats around when loading onto the planes.

As others have said, the car seat needs to go in the window.

 

[sweetdana]

Personally, I think it is MUCH better to take it. The child, especially one that young, is much safer in the car seat should you hit turbulence. Plus, my children always liked the familiarity of it. With the car seat we have, my children have never kicked the seat in front of them. With the former car seat, they could not kick the seat but the tray table did not go down flat as the carseat boosted them up too much. I switched to a high back booster with a 5 point harness and it is much lighter and fits better on the plane. I have also seen the baggage handlers toss the carseats around when loading onto the planes.

As others have said, the car seat needs to go in the window.

ty

 

[sweetdana]

I just realized, we can skip paying for our DD1 at the time, .. actually anything under 2. My DH is huge, like 300 pounds, both me and other 2 kids are small. Any thoughts... Have you tried it, would you do it again?I am thinking the 2 girls could share a seat, and open both of my arm rests, and give DH and kiddos a bit more room.

 

[DebbieB]

I just realized, we can skip paying for our DD1 at the time, .. actually anything under 2. My DH is huge, like 300 pounds, both me and other 2 kids are small. Any thoughts... Have you tried it, would you do it again?I am thinking the 2 girls could share a seat, and open both of my arm rests, and give DH and kiddos a bit more room.

They can't share a seat, they need to be buckled in individually.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I am thinking the 2 girls could share a seat, and open both of my arm rests, and give DH and kiddos a bit more room.

As the above poster noted, absolutely not. The child with a seat must be in her seat with the seat belt on (when required and should wear it the whole flight anyway) and the lap child is in an adult's lap. You cannot share an airplane seat.

 

[sweetdana]

As the above poster noted, absolutely not. The child with a seat must be in her seat with the seat belt on (when required and should wear it the whole flight anyway) and the lap child is in an adult's lap. You cannot share an airplane seat.

k ty

 

[smitch425]

I just realized, we can skip paying for our DD1 at the time, .. actually anything under 2. My DH is huge, like 300 pounds, both me and other 2 kids are small. Any thoughts... Have you tried it, would you do it again?I am thinking the 2 girls could share a seat, and open both of my arm rests, and give DH and kiddos a bit more room.

The other two PPs have already said that the girls cannot share, but I also want to point out that depending on how "huge" your DH is, he may be more comfortable buying that second seat for your little one anyway. There have been a lot of stories on the news lately about this. Here is Delta's official policy:

Delta does not require passengers who need a seatbelt extender or are unable to lower the armrest to purchase additional seats. However, please be aware that if you impede on another customer, you may be asked to move to another location that provides additional space and in the event of a full flight, be asked to take a later flight with available seating. To avoid this situation, we recommend that you purchase an additional seat.