Flying as a family on BA - charged?!

mynameistallulah

Is it Hong Kong you are going to? If so, they'll be lots of children on the flight (including some alone with their parents in Club/ First), and it is likely to be pretty full. Best to talk to them about expected behaviour before going, and then when you board settle down with a film on the IFE. The meal will be served relatively quickly, then lights out for a good few hours.

Bob_the_Saver

zagfles wrote: »

Why do you think kids on an aisle seat is a safety risk??

If they were sat near me it's their safety I'd worry about! I've said it before but these are the only good seats for kids on planes.

http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/a-outside-airplane-window-funny-330.jpg

vicker

mynameistallulah wrote: »

You can change seats for free at T-24, or at the airport, if other seats are available. Is it a popular holiday route?

Not popular - the plane has hardly any seats allocated - I've been checking in every week to check the speed with which seats are going.

I presumed that would be the case, but the page on manage my booking says any further changes to seat allocation would be charged. There is nothing to clarify whether this applies at T-24 or not.

If I were travelling alone or a couple then BA wouldn't allocate us seats, so we could choose at T-24, but travelling as a family, then you dont get a choice at T-24 unless you pay for it it appears.

mynameistallulah

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

If they were sat near me it's their safety I'd worry about!

I love travelling sat with children! Keeps me entertained, plus it means no fat man falling into my space. Just call me Nanny T!

mynameistallulah

vicker wrote: »

Not popular - the plane has hardly any seats allocated - I've been checking in every week to check the speed with which seats are going.

I presumed that would be the case, but the page on manage my booking says any further changes to seat allocation would be charged. There is nothing to clarify whether this applies at T-24 or not.

If I were travelling alone or a couple then BA wouldn't allocate us seats, so we could choose at T-24, but travelling as a family, then you dont get a choice at T-24 unless you pay for it it appears.

If it is Hong Kong it definitely is a popular holiday time route, lots of expats going back and forth. The only seats allocated to date will be by those with status (usually in premium cabins) and those with children/ disabilities. You will not get a more accurate picture until T-24.

zagfles

vicker wrote: »

Kids on aisle seat is a safety risk as my kids, my responsibility. I want to fully be responsible for the kids for the entire journey and don't want to fall asleep and wake up to find them gone on a toilet trip. If they need to clamber over me, then they'll wake me.

I don't think airline toilets are that dangerous! How do you cope in a hotel?

lady1964

vicker wrote: »

Apologies - by 2 x 2 I meant 1 child seated with 1 parent, not 2 kids sitting alone. Hell no!

Lol, then as a fellow passenger I would not have a problem with this, that's probably your best solution if BA will allow you to change your seats.

I would do as has already been suggested, get online at exacly T-24 when you can check in online and see if you can change them. It should come up in MMB if there is an additional fee.

Alternatively, if you have to pay an additional fee and don't want to, and it's a lot of money so can understand why you wouldn't want to, how about: one in an aisle seat, parent sat next to, then another child then the other adult? I know it still means one child in an aisle seat but at least the kids are seperated......would that work for you?

Bob_the_Saver

zagfles wrote: »

I don't think airline toilets are that dangerous! How do you cope in a hotel?

They could be

http://oddityfarm.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/new-picture-3.png

zagfles

Bob_the_Saver wrote: »

If they were sat near me it's their safety I'd worry about!

Really?? Are you trying to worry the OP even more :eek:

duchy

Quite frankly the first week of school holidays there aren't any UN-popular routes.

I don't claim to be a "best parent" but with two parents travelling -both sleeping is hardly "My kids -my responsibility" but you're very welcome for the info about when to check in most effectively -you don't need to thank anyone.....Oh silly me you didn't anyway !