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AIBU?

Children in business class for long flight... what's the MN verdict?

142 replies

Somerville · 15/01/2017 18:11

Come on then... genuinely don't know if I'm being unreasonable here. Who has a gavel to hand?!

We're going on holiday in the summer with other family members and their kids; 7 kids and 4 adults in total. DH just priced it all up, hoping that it would be within budget to travel premium economy (He's very tall!).

He was looking for the cheapest flights rather than particular dates and found a bargain for the outward flight with one airline - direct, business class seats for just £10 more per person than the standard premium economy price that month (and a quarter of the standard BC price) - and there are enough seats for all of us.

We're holding the flights, while we wait to hear if the dates work for the other couple. Assuming they do, how unreasonable is it to press buy? Any true business travellers who have to zoom off to meetings on another continent on arrival will be fuming, right, as we traipse on with 7 over-excited children?! But they're all pretty well-behaved kids, as kids go. And presumably the airline is anticipating low demand from business travellers for that flight, hence pricing it for holiday travellers instead. If we don't book it, others will. (And for that reason, I'm not stating the airline or destination!)

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SadTrombone · 15/01/2017 18:15

Do it!! Are you mad, woman?! Grin

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larrygrylls · 15/01/2017 18:16

The only qualification for travelling is having the money. Clearly you should encourage children to behave appropriately, but no one can (reasonably) object to well behaved children.

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SuperRainbows · 15/01/2017 18:16

If I was in your position, I would press buy without hesitation.

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Somerville · 15/01/2017 18:17

SadTrombone DH is laughing at that and saying "I told you so". He's not travelled long haul with children before though (I married him recently)...

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LadyPenelopeCantDance · 15/01/2017 18:18

As long as the kids behave and respect fellow travellers I don't see the problem. There will be enough inflight entertainment and presumably a flat bed to sleep so they might be better behaved than if they were in economy.

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enfru · 15/01/2017 18:18

I'd so do it! I travel business class for work quite often and tbh as soon as I'm in my seat I pop on noise cancelling headphones and I wouldn't even notice there were kids there!
i take it this is for a long haul flight- are the kids of an age where they'll be happy to sit and watch films rather than be running up and down the aisles?
Not that I'd let the fact they might wander round put me off either- there's plenty of space for them to do it 😂

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GreenShadow · 15/01/2017 18:20

Depends on the age.

A baby - no I wouldn't

Children old enough to read/watch/play something and be quite - I wouldn't hesitate.

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HerRoyalNotness · 15/01/2017 18:20

Go ahead! Some people use business class to work and rest for upcoming meetings. My DH uses it to watch loads of movies, drink champagne and enjoy the space. And peace and quiet as his family are at home Hmm

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FannyUmbongo · 15/01/2017 18:20

Why are you even thinking about it?

Buy buy buy.

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Rainshowers · 15/01/2017 18:21

Do it! Is it long haul? If so, the kids will have more space and so (hopefully) be less fidgety than in normal seats. The entertainment and food/drink should also distract them. Your money is as good as anyone else's. If you decide not to, pm me the flight details please Wink

Also, I'm sure any frequent flyers will have a pair of noise cancelling headphones to drown out 7 excitable kids!

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lokisglowstickofdestiny1 · 15/01/2017 18:21

I don't see why not. Airlines are prepared to sell the tickets so you have to expect children in any class of a plane. We travel Business Class as a family, much nicer than PE and if you are getting a good deal go for it. My DD behaves well. In my experience most Business Class sections have children on them - I've never had a problem, night flights are good as they get their own bed and usually fall asleep really quickly!

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WheresTheEvidence · 15/01/2017 18:21

they're all pretty well-behaved kids

Everyone says that and then has an excuse as to why they're screeching at the top of their voice, running around like a maniac and generally annoying the hell out of the general public.

BTW I am a nanny - I like kids

Will they behave properly ie sit on their seats watching tv/reading/playing ipads or will their be hijinks ?

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Allthebestnamesareused · 15/01/2017 18:21

If you can afford it do it. I assume if you are the type that would even worry about this you would make your kids behave wherever they were on a plane.

I went Business Class to the States once with my 9 yr old and 3 yr old. Somehow we managed to get upgraded!!!

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JaneEyreWasASellout · 15/01/2017 18:24

God jus buy buy buy them now! Also where are you going and can I have the dates please?

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manicinsomniac · 15/01/2017 18:25

Absolutely, YANBU. Anybody who can pay for the seats has the right to them.

And if they're on such a special offer the chances are there'll be loads of families in BC on that particular flight

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sparechange · 15/01/2017 18:26

I do about 10 business class long haul flights a year. Well over half of them will have children in the cabin. I've been on a flight to Dubai where nearly the entire cabin was children.
Doesn't bother me in the slightest and wouldn't expect anyone else will bat an eyelid.

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girlelephant · 15/01/2017 18:26

I would buy now for yourselves and risk the others not being able to do those dates! Sounds an amazing bargain.

I would expect parents to get their children to behave regardless of what class of seat the are

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AuditAngel · 15/01/2017 18:26

Do it, but buy the kids headphones to use with their gadgets.

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lessthanBeau · 15/01/2017 18:29

Your money is as good as anyone elses. Why is this even a question?

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DavidPuddy · 15/01/2017 18:30

Business class is surely just a pricing category, if it is within budget then do it. You are all on the same flight and you all (i.e. all passengers including children) have the same rights.

I've worked on long-haul flights before, in economy. Children in the vicinity would not have interrupted my concentration (and were not the cause of the resulting, inevitable migraine).

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user1483387154 · 15/01/2017 18:30

Absolutely do it!

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TammySwansonxx · 15/01/2017 18:32

I don't understand why you wouldn't? You're as entitled to buy the seats as anyone

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honeyroar · 15/01/2017 18:32

I'm cabin crew. It's really common to see children in business class and they are usually not a problem at all. Do it.

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Trills · 15/01/2017 18:32

If you can afford it then you are allowed to have children in business class.

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MaryPoppinsPenguins · 15/01/2017 18:33

I wouldn't hesitate... even a screaming baby (which I'm not saying yours is!) has as much right to be there as anyone else!

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