Tripologist: Legroom a stretch but KL pregnant with possibility

I am going to be travelling to Phuket via Kuala Lumpur in May with my husband and two-year-old son. I will also be 23 weeks pregnant. How can I possibly get the best economy seat that will enable me to be comfortable? I have booked with AirAsia but the extra-room seats to purchase were emergency ones that are not available to my son or myself. Do you have any accommodation recommendations for a two-night stopover in KL?

- M. Cullen, Matraville.

The best seats for you and your family on board the A330-300, which AirAsia operates between Sydney and Kuala Lumpur, would be in row 7, either A, B and C, or H, J and K. In the same row, D, F and G are also good but since they are in the middle aisle, these are preferred seats for passengers who require a bassinet.

These seats are all located behind a bulkhead at the front of the economy cabin and they offer slightly more legroom than most other economy seats, although not so much as exit row seating. Seats 17A, B and C also have more room although these are located behind a toilet. Seats 16D, F and G are good but they are also middle-aisle seats. Ditto for seats 34D, F and G.

Air Asia’s conditions of carriage state: ‘‘It is the duty of pregnant passengers to advise us of the progress of their pregnancy at the point of booking of seat and at the check-in counter.’’ Pregnant women are at a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis so an aisle seat is essential to enable you to take regular walks around the cabin. Get to the check-in early, wear your seat belt low, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol.

Hotel prices throughout Malaysia are astonishing value, so you might want to let your hair down with something plush.

Keying in your family details for a notional two-night stay in mid-May on the website of the Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur (shangri-la.com), the room rate starts at 455 ringgit ($140) a night, which is a fabulous price for a hotel of this quality.