Get a bulkhead seat and ask for a bassinet for the baby. We flew to Italy with our small 17 month old and it was a life saver. Baby was able to sleep laying down, and we were able to sit her in it for short amounts of time while she wasn’t awake. Otherwise someone will have to be holding the baby at all times.

I can’t believe you’re planning to hold an infant all night while you sleep. Sounds like a recipe for suffocation.

The answer completely depends on how rich you are.

I would not do it. But if I earned an extra $100k a year, I certainly would.

So I just did a long haul in economy on Cathay. Economy seats on Cathy are 32" pitch, 18.5" wide. The extra space you get sitting next to a kid really makes the economy seats feel more spacious than if you are sitting next to a fully grown adult.

I'd say you'll be fine, and save your money. Will you be four across? You can put the armrests down and I think you'll be fine.

(FWIW, I'm 6'1" and 200lbs. So it's not like I'm telling you this from the perspective of a petite 5'3" person!)

No way. It will be kind of awful either way so why pay extra? But I would buy the baby a seat!

crazy! I would never pay $2000 extra so my family can have bigger seats, especially since you guys don't sound that big.

Save it! have fun.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

There is no card which gets you free premium economy. There is a card which has an annual fee of $450 and gives you access to the United Club/lounge.

That's sort of true. I have the United Club card and it's equivalent to silver status, which gets a free economy plus upgrade upon check in. Gold status gets you free economy plus when you make the reservation, including on international flights. Unfortunately on most flights the upgrade on check-in ends up being middle seats.

Nope. You don't get silver status with the United Club card. You get some of the "premier access" privileges, like free checked bags, earlier boarding. But no upgrades. You may have Silver status from your flying, but the United Club card does not get it for you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get the United credit card that gives you free premium economy.

There is no card which gets you free premium economy. There is a card which has an annual fee of $450 and gives you access to the United Club/lounge.

You can get this pretty easily with Amtrak card. Nowhere near $450

What does an Amtrak credit card have to do with the United Club?

Anonymous wrote:The Virgin and BA premium economy seats are a different section with upgraded services and I think are worth it. That's why they cost more than the US equivalent. It's not just getting a couple extra inches of leg room like on the US carriers. I usually pay for premium economy on the night flight, but not on the day flight return.

There are sites were you can see pictures of the seats - that should help decide if it's worthwhile.

Yes, we have upgraded to “World Traveller” on British Airways for our London trip in the spring.

Anonymous wrote:I swear to god Virgin has the most uncomfortable seats I've experienced, ever. They're narrow and hard, even in premium economy. Delta's seats are way comfier.

I love Virgin's seats -- the planes are all so new and kitted out! Maybe I need to try a Delta flight if they're even better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d upgrade one parent with the baby to first class.

That would likely be a $3,000 upgrade for that one ticket.

And yet. No way I’m holding a baby without laying down overnight.

Get baby a seat with a car seat. Problem solved. What is all the drama?

I swear to god Virgin has the most uncomfortable seats I've experienced, ever. They're narrow and hard, even in premium economy. Delta's seats are way comfier.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't because 1) it's overnight, so you'll sleep through the discomfort, 2) half of the money will be spent to move kids who aren't going to feel cramped anyway into slightly more roomy seats, and 3) it's London, so it's only 7.5 hours anyway. If it were a flight to Asia or Hawaii I might spring for it, but not for this flight.

+1. This is a relatively short flight, I wouldn’t bother with paying extra to fly to London .

I think it makes more sense to buy a fifth seat for the baby than to upgrade everyone for leg room. Put the parents on the aisle seats to stretch out, and the two kids not in car seats next to each other so they'll have room for their toys. Everyone can sleep safely with the infant in the car seat.

Use Seatguru.com to check seat specs exactly. We spring for it to Europe each year with our DDs (3 and 5). It gives a bit more room for us an dall their stuff they like to have around. With an infant, I thikn it's even more worth it.