Long haul with family: sharing business & economy seats between parents ????

[flyman]

I have been offered 1 free work related business class return flight (from Sydney to Tokyo) next April

I want to bring my wife + 2 toddlers to see the cherry blossoms but do not want to pay for 3 extra return business class flights.

My questions: if I book 1 business class seat (for me) + 3 economy class seats (for wife/kids);

1. can my wife and I swap seats for the duration of the flight?

2. can my wife and I swap seats multiple times during the same flight

3. would I be allowed to bring one of the toddlers to sit / sleep on my lap in business

4. am I better off just booking 4 economy seats (1 of which will be free to me)

5. any other tips on dealing with this situation?


thanks in advance for any advice

Flyman

 

[SeatBackForward]

It really is a personal choice, although I suspect the FA's wouldn't look too kindly at constant seat swapping.

Me personally, I'd rather travel with my family and enjoy the journey (highs and lows) together, not with one of us disjointed and away. Recently we all sat together in economy, with a 1 and 4yr old from SYD>KUL>BLR and the 4yr old still everyday talks about the flight in one way or another, I'd feel bad if I had missed on sharing it with him too. But then thats just me, everyones situation is different.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Is Premium Economy offered on the flights being considered ?

 

[flyman]

good idea about premium economy - i hadn't considered it

I haven't booked yet so its open

can anyone recommend a good affordable premium economy option from sydney to japan?

thanks

 

[eastwest101]

Another vote for booking and sticking together in my opinion. For a long direct flight like that - may be worth looking at JAL even Y class - it will be a B787 and you could go for 4 seats in the middle, civilised departure time ex SYD and possibly cheaper than QF or JQ (once you add in all the bundles), unfortunately no premium economy Y+ option on JAL. The QF flight would probably be a B747 and an overnight flight so if the kids can sleep on planes that could be an option, also the PE option on QF but not sure about the prices - the premium economy Y+ prices around April look so close to the QF Y prices that it would be a no brainer to book Y+ on QF.

You don't want to fly JQ anyway as its a transit in Cairns and possible domestic connections but compare the prices of JQ Starclass (Jetstar call it "Business Class") vs QF Y+ pretty much the same seat and worse food on JQ - hilariously on the days I am looking at in April the JQ Starclass option is more expensive than QF Y+ direct flight so go figure.

Thats not counting the other Y+ options that would require a stopover i.e. CX via HKG.

 

[legroom]

I have been offered 1 free work related business class return flight (from Sydney to Tokyo) next April

I want to bring my wife + 2 toddlers to see the cherry blossoms but do not want to pay for 3 extra return business class flights.

My questions: if I book 1 business class seat (for me) + 3 economy class seats (for wife/kids);

1. can my wife and I swap seats for the duration of the flight?

thanks in advance for any advice

Flyman

The answer to (1) is yes.

I suspect they wouldn't be too pleased with the seat swapping during the flight.

Imagine if there were 5-10 such swappings - the stair would be rather crowded with traffic.

Not too mention that some plane (EK, for example) to get to Y section you have to walk through the J lounge & galley.

Your choice, but for me if it were with a young family I'd rather stay with them and help out with the "chores".

In my case, it was only between my +1 and myself and we elected to travel that way: long haul (13hrs, me in J), short haul (7 hrs, me in Y).

I managed to score exit row in Y in all sectors so it was not too bad.

With your young ones, exit row is not an option so "one in, all in" would be more to my preference.

As always, your call in the end

Regards

PS: cherry blossom is very nice !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

it's a tough choice! firstly check with the airline to make sure 1 adult can take more than one toddler.

as for seat swapping, it's generally not a problem provided the seat swap takes place as you board. the airline doesn't really care if it is Mr or Mrs sitting in the seat, as long as the adult fare has been paid it's fine.

some airlines allow a single swap during the flight. I can't recall off the top of my head but I read it was successfully done somewhere.

while having both adults in economy would make it easier (looking after the young ones) the counter to that is having one business class seat in the event the extra comfort is needed. for example you might want to fly business class TO your destination so you are well rested, and then offer the business class seat to your wife on the return. or it might be that one of you is sick or ill and needs that seat one way.

 

[Hvr]

And one of the questions was:

3. would I be allowed to bring one of the toddlers to sit / sleep on my lap in business

I don't believe this would be allowed. Nor do I believe one pax can have two lap children so your wife would have to have seats for the children.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And one of the questions was:



I don't believe this would be allowed. Nor do I believe one pax can have two lap children so your wife would have to have seats for the children.

the OP made it clear there would be three seats in economy for the adult plus 2 children. If one of the toddlers meets the age requirements as a lap infant then they should be able to be added to the adult flying in business class, but that would need to be done at the time of ticketing.

 

[JohnK]

I think it is possible to swap seats in flight as long as you inform the crew in advance of your intentions. I have seen it happen a number of times. I have even sat in first class for ~1 hour when I was supposed to be down the back in economy.

But the option of all sitting together in economy has merit.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Can you ask your company if they would allow you to use the value of a return J class fare and apply that figure towards the cost of economy travel for the rest of your family to travel with you in Y. That way your actual out of pocket expenses for the Y airfares would be minimal.

 

[flyman]

no the company won’t allow splitting the ticket into multiple economies

at this stage i think we'll all go premium economy with qantas as it works out to approx $1,000 extra above the price of economy tickets

any good ideas about what to do in tokyo with young kids (aged 2 and 5)?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

any good ideas about what to do in tokyo with young kids (aged 2 and 5)?

tokyo disney??

 

[flyman]

I've heard that the queues at disneyland are crazy, averaging between 45 - 100 minutes per ride so I've crossed it off my list of possible things to do

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've heard that the queues at disneyland are crazy, averaging between 45 - 100 minutes per ride so I've crossed it off my list of possible things to do

dunno if this helps but on line they seem to have a service called 'FASTPASS' where you can insert your passport into a machine at selected rides/attractions and it will give you a set time you can come back to enter the ride (little or no queuing if I read it right).

 

[Rhiannon]

I've heard that the queues at disneyland are crazy, averaging between 45 - 100 minutes per ride so I've crossed it off my list of possible things to do

As long as you don't go to Tokyo Disneyland on a weekend, the queues are nowhere near as bad as that; plus as MEL_Traveller said, the Fastpass option for the favourite rides (you must do Winnie the Pooh's Hunny pot ride) reduces queueing to more like 5-10 mins. I have taken toddlers to Disney and it is the whole experience in the parks which is enjoyable, not just the rides. The food outlets are all Disney themed (decor, menu items), the buildings and lights etc are gorgeous, and characters wander around offering photo (and hugging) opportunities. There are also the street parades and fireworks. It is a great atmosphere and I would recommend reconsidering it. Also, you can get some very well-priced high quality hotels nearby (eg: Sheraton) which are a short monorail ride away from the parks.

As a general point for Tokyo, there can be a lot of walking, especially if you use the underground, so be ready to deal with tired little legs. The cherry blossoms are wonderful, although the timing can be tricky to catch them in full bloom. The cherry-blossom watching sites list the parks in Tokyo which have "early" or "late" blooming trees which makes it easier to choose where to go.

In any case, have a great trip!

 

[Cynicor]

Tokyo Disney is excellent. Do your research and the long queues are mostly for rides that yours kids may be a bit small for anyway.

I've been about 4 times and use fast pass to get through the queues quickly. You can even stay in a Tokyo Disney hotel to minimise travel time.

 

[kalboy]

My solution although only Perth to Melbourne.
I'm in J on QF and have booked my wife in Y on Virgin. That way i dont have to look over my shoulder in guilt.

 

[drewbles]

My solution although only Perth to Melbourne.
I'm in J on QF and have booked my wife in Y on Virgin. That way i dont have to look over my shoulder in guilt.

You may, however, have to keep an eye over your shoulder for the divorce attorney (or possibly look for your luggage not turning up at the other end, and a man in a suit with an envelope hovering around the carousel).

 

[Alanslegal]

K.I.S.S principle. Wife flies J .... Husband flies Y, full stop.

However in all understanding relationships where equality is important, one parent flies J one way, the other flies the return J leg home.