In general, families may like to sit close to the front because it can both offer extra legroom (if seated in the bulkhead) and the ability to get on/off the aircraft with carry-on luggage easier. On the other hand, families may also like sitting in the very back because it's next to the lavatory.

For a family of three, the ideal seating strategy depends on the aircraft's configuration and the age of the children. On narrow-body planes with a 3-3 layout, the simplest and most common choice is to occupy an entire row (A, B, and C). This keeps the family together, prevents strangers from sitting next to a child, and gives the family control over the window and aisle. For long-haul flights on wide-body aircraft with a 2-4-2 or 3-3-3 layout, the strategy shifts. If the child is small, a middle-block of 3 is often preferred to keep everyone in a single line. However, some families of three prefer to book two seats in one row and one seat directly behind; this can be advantageous if a parent wants a bit of "quiet time" or if you want to avoid having a stranger sitting directly in front of or behind your child. For families traveling with an infant, the bulkhead row is the "gold standard" because it provides extra floor space and allows for the attachment of an airline bassinet, though these seats often have immovable armrests which can be a drawback for older kids.