Parent and kid can’t sit together on AF 777-300?

[Highway23]

TL; DR - why can’t a child sit in the middle seats of an AF Boeing 777 business cabin!?

Having a slightly odd interaction with Air France after I booked tickets via QFF CR for my wife and <10yo child. In a couple of days they’re doing long haul J, so I have tried to select their seats as we’d rather mum and kid together in the middle seats honeymoon-style rather than across the aisle, or one in front and other behind etc.

AF have automatically allocated them a window (kid) and the offset seat across the aisle (mum). When I try and change it online I can only select windows seats for the child. The paid seat-selection period is done, that’s not the issue.

The online support have told me that they can’t allocate middle seats for under 12’s, and we will have to try and negotiate it at the check in desk. Why? Should this be in the T&C? What are my options here?

I’m bemused. I’m sure they’ll have a great flight regardless but would rather avoid any anxiety. Plus… it seems weird!

 

[daft009]

No issues doing this on SQ.

Wonder what AF would say if it was mum and 2 kids

 

[Quickstatus]

Easy, let it play out. The AF check in or crew will quickly realise.

AC did it to us when the twins were 2yrs. 1parent and 1 twin were together, the other twin and the other parent were by themselves
The check in said the gate staff will sort it. The gate staff said the cabin crew will sort it out. In the end, we got on, put one twin in one seat, and the rest of us went to our respective seats. It was quickly sorted when the passenger suddenly finding herself next to a 2 yr old spoke to the cabin crew.