Lie flat Y family travel to UK?

[olliekeighley]

Dear brains trust, a brain teaser

So, let's start dreaming of overseas travel in July 2022.

We want to go to the UK and we have two toddlers. What would be the cheapest way to get 2 rows of three/four for the kids, the 2 adults will have 1 Y seat each.

I believe it will be one of these airlines that let's you block/bid for a row of seats, but this is based in demand and not guaranteed in advance.....

Thanks!

 

[RooFlyer]

Just to clarify: You are looking for 8 economy seats - 6 children, 2 adults? I'm a bit confused by 'lie flat Y' in the subject though. Does it exist?

Edit: Agree with zig on re-reading

 

[zig]

I read it as 2 adults, 2 toddlers seeking 2 rows of seating - 1 adult and 1 toddler per row, with the toddlers flying flat and the adult sitting.

 

[dajop]

I'm a bit confused by 'lie flat Y' in the subject though. Does it exist?

Oh it definitely does when very few people are allowed to leave the country and only 433 are allowed to enter the county each day. Every passenger can get or 4 seats to themselves.

But if travel opens up then demand for those seats will skyrocket. The only way to get extra seats will be call up and pay the same fare (minus the genuine taxes) for a “comfort seat” for one or more of the passengers.

The only other thing perhaps the OP was thinking of Air New Zealand SkyCouch. Best to look on their website for more info about that.

 

[olliekeighley]

I read it as 2 adults, 2 toddlers seeking 2 rows of seating - 1 adult and 1 toddler per row, with the toddlers flying flat and the adult sitting.

Yes whoops you're correct.

Each toddler gets 3 seats. Each adult gets one seat.

Ideally each row is 3 seats.

Or, two rows of 4, its the same number of seats (8)


Thanks!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes whoops you're correct.

Each toddler gets 3 seats. Each adult gets one seat.

Ideally each row is 3 seats.

Or, two rows of 4, its the same number of seats (8)


Thanks!

Let's assume post-covid and seats into/out of Australia are plentiful and fares are back to 'normal'. Qantas will allow you to book and confirm additional comfort seats. You must do this through the call centre and each extra comfort seat will be charged at the base rate without any taxes fees or charges. Looking at June 2022 as an example, Qantas has return fares from Australia to London for $1817 per per adult, comfort seats would be $1450 each (no taxes fees or charges). Children 2-11 pay the same adult fare. If the toddlers are under 2 different fares will apply for the lap infant - but this wouldn't affect the price of the comfort seats.

You may run in to some issues with a toddler being in a set of three seats by themselves given the requirement to make sure their seatbelt is fastened if the sign comes on, and that an adult can assist in the event supplementary oxygen is required. It might work if the toddlers were the row in front and behind the two adult seats, but I'm not sure how QF would go to confirm this arrangement for you. If QF is flying their A380s at that stage it would be perfect with 3-4-3 seating as you'd have one adult and one toddler per row.

Other airlines such as Etihad will allow you to request additional seats, and are much cheaper, but the additional seats aren't confirmed until very close to departure.

Total cost of the QF option would be 4x1850 and 4x1450 = 13200.

However... another option would be the potential to fly via Bali. Assuming restrictions were lifted by then and all flights operating normally... you'd buy 4 x economy jetstar ($2400 for the family) combined with 4 x full business class Bali to Europe for $2880 per ticket, comes to $13920. Slightly more expensive but everyone gets a bed!

 

[jb747]

Let‘s not let reality break into this. Once the floodgates open, you’ll be carried on an absolutely full aircraft. The airlines will ramp capacity back into the market slowly. As for prices, I expect that yesterday was the best price you’ll ever see.

 

[olliekeighley]

Thanks all. Looks like a mixed class Y/J fare or even better points in J for the longer leg. Finding 4 seats will be hard even at QF Gold, but we shall see!

Ethiad bidding for rows would be good but no certainty in advance.

Thanks