best option for seats for a family of 4

[micho]

We are thinking of travelling to the USA with United Airlines and as the plane configuration is now 3-3-3 what is the best option if you have 4 people?
2 seats at the window and the same in the next row or 3 on the side and then 1 across the aisle? What do you think? The kids will be 8 and 4. Thanks.

 

[bismarck]

I'd probably go 3 and 1 across the aisle but it depends how much the kids get up etc.

NB: I have no kids so this is purely opinion.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

We are thinking of travelling to the USA with United Airlines and as the plane configuration is now 3-3-3 what is the best option if you have 4 people?
2 seats at the window and the same in the next row or 3 on the side and then 1 across the aisle? What do you think? The kids will be 8 and 4. Thanks.

I would probably say 3 on the side then the one across the aisle so if one parent has to get up the other parent can jump across.

Alternatively, you could sit in two pairs in the centre row of 3 eg 36DE & 37DE as the person sitting in the G seat can just get up to the right hand aisle & won't be climbing over you to get out & of course you won't have to climb over them either.

I think it would be a real hassle having 36AB/37AB or 36BC/37BC as you've got that third person either climbing over you or you climbing over them.

I think the 747 is best with the centre row of 4 seats as each parent can be on the aisle both both the kids in the inner seats so one parent can get up to take a child to the bathroom without disturbing the other child & parent.

With the latest QF specials to the USA on sale is UA still significantly cheaper?

 

[micho]

Yeah I figured 3 and and one across the aisle. UA is usually still cheaper as we are travelling in the US as well. UA usually allows a free stopover. I'd prefer the 4 in the middle as well, then you just get your own space Does QF still fly a 747?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Yeah I figured 3 and and one across the aisle. UA is usually still cheaper as we are travelling in the US as well. UA usually allows a free stopover. I'd prefer the 4 in the middle as well, then you just get your own space Does QF still fly a 747?

QF15 ex BNE & QF107 ex SYD (mostly) are 744's however even if it's the newer A380 it's still a 3x4x3 config like the 744. Not sure what IFE UA has down the back end of the bus to keep the troops entertained.

If you are doing internal flights within the US try & get them issued on the same ticket as the international sectors so you get free baggage allowance.

QF give you 2 pieces pp up to 23kg whereas UA is now only 1 piece pp up to 23kg.

 

[harvyk]

Yes, QF still flies with a 747. The A380 is also 3-4-3.

Personally I'd pick a set of 3 seats and do 2 in front and 2 behind (on a 777 / 747 / 787 / A380). If you where sneaky you may even consider selecting A and C seats (leaving the B seat empty) in each row, only if the plane is full will someone end up there, and IME most people will happily swap a middle seat for a window / aisle.

 

[Captain Halliday]

A 3 +1 option allows the parents to take turns being "on duty" so to speak. But I have also done what harvyk's suggested. In my case it was selecting it was 34D, E & G with a party of 3 (one was a child). As it turned out, no one was assigned 34F and we had the row to ourselves BNE-LAX. Handy for spreading out, kids sleeping or taking turns. You could try the same theory in the 3-3-3 configuration. Worst case scenario here is you ask the person in the middle seat to swap as harvyk points out.