Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Business class with toddler

66 replies

Rhayader · 27/09/2022 14:52

We are flying London - New York for a relocation. My husbands company have booked us business class but this means all three kids are in their own seats (with their own sliding doors). Our youngest has just turned 2 so requires her own seat, and will have to sit by herself at take off and landing and whenever the seatbelt signs are on. Does anyone have any tips for how to manage this, would it be best to use a car seat or just hope that she will sleep when the seat is flattened into a bed? The flight is at 6pm so is close to bed time… She’s never flown on a plane before and the older children have only been on economy family holiday flights before (but I think they will be fine).

OP posts:

FlounderingFruitcake · 27/09/2022 18:19

I’ve flown on this plane layout with mine a few times. You definitely all want to be on the same side of the aisle, not having to go all the way around. I would personally do kid in the window, adult across the aisle, other pair in the row directly infront/behind. Keep doors open all flight. I load mine up with favourite soft toy, headphones and ipad (really really practice with these especially the headphones before you go as you can’t sort them out during take/landing), sippy cup and a couple of opened snacks. They’ve always been ok. Once cruising I recline the seat a bit, let them watch until they drop then I’ll put the seat flat. I pack Haribo for when they wake up during landing and obviously haven’t slept enough and back out comes the ipad. They usually conk out again when off the plane and in the stroller.

FlounderingFruitcake · 27/09/2022 18:21

And you change nappies in the bathroom not on the seat!!!

Original poster

Rhayader · 27/09/2022 18:22

@FlounderingFruitcake

Amazing - that’s the exact layout we currently have planned. 2yo has never used headphones before so we will get practicing, we have a few weeks to go.

OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

2 year olds Families Flying Holidays

fallinover · 27/09/2022 18:22

Yes, a sippy cup I had forgotten how useful they are!
Don't forget to drink your champagne.
Honestly it really shouldn't be too bad and there are usually other dc on flights as well.
You probably won't be the only family.

FlounderingFruitcake · 27/09/2022 18:32

Rhayader · 27/09/2022 18:22

@FlounderingFruitcake

Amazing - that’s the exact layout we currently have planned. 2yo has never used headphones before so we will get practicing, we have a few weeks to go.

I’m really brutal with mine in the run up- any screen time at all is the ipad with headphones. Download favourites on netflix, may need 2 seperate accounts to do this if you have more than 1 (I couldn’t work it out otherwise!) and try to get them used to the navigation. My 18MO is currently in ipad bootcamp for this exact reason 😂

And for you, take the champagne and try not to stress if they watch cartoons all nights. They will be out of routine, anything that isn’t crying is a huge parenting win!

DPotter · 27/09/2022 18:33

Just flown home from US business class and frankly the layout is anti-social. DP & I were in the central seats and there's a small sliding panel between the seats - useless for holding hands during take-off (which I like to do) and you certainly couldn't grab a wriggling upset 2 year old through it. And the layout means you can't see any of the other passengers at all, when you're sitting down. Good luck!

Soontobe60 · 27/09/2022 18:39

AtillatheHun · 27/09/2022 15:12

Also it’s only the side cabins that are offset, you can sit side by side in the middle.

This very much depends on the actual flight - all airlines are different!
OP, I’d actually ask for a downgrade to Premium Economy. That way you’ll be sat directly next to your children.

Soontobe60 · 27/09/2022 18:40

Rhayader · 27/09/2022 15:21

I considered sitting side by side in the middle but we flew out earlier in the year in the same cabin and there’s a tiny window between you. Definitely couldn’t reach a child to change a nappy etc

I’d hope youd be changing a nappy in the bathroom!

Original poster

Rhayader · 27/09/2022 18:48

@Soontobe60

Sorry I did clarify, I meant it would be hard to pick up the child and take her to the loo! You really are quite far away with the new layout.

OP posts:

BoredOfGrey22 · 27/09/2022 20:11

I aim quite familiar with global mobility policies and I have never heard of a Company using air-miles to book relocation flights. In my experience, the company will always ask the employee if the flight suits them and then book it, or give them a budget to book their own travel. This sounds like a massive palaver. OP did you book this yourself?

parietal · 27/09/2022 20:39

Agree you need to all be on the same aisle. The layout you've chosen is as good as it gets.

Eggcitement · 27/09/2022 22:29

Oh yeah it's miles away in the new business class layout. DH and I were just about able to manage a game of cards through the gap but it's pretty antisocial. Totally different from the old layout which we had on the way back where it pretty much feels like you are in a double bed.

Not sure which I prefer really. I mostly travel solo and want to be as far away from everyone as possible but it's definitely very isolated for families travelling together.

I think your plan is as good as it's going to be. I think you just have to try what distractions you can. Once the seatbelt signs are off you can bring them in with you and the cabin is really spacious.

Make sure they have something to suck for their ears as this is often why they cry.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 28/09/2022 23:43

If it's any help we flew virgin upper class back from Florida a few years ago. Never again! Our layout meant I couldn't deal with any child unless I stood by them. We made beds up and all buckled in to sleep and it was a nightmare. We had turbulence and couldn't unfasten seat belts. I was hyperventilating as I couldn't see dc could just hear them crying and panicking. It was a treat from DH to turn left on the plane but I hated it. Next time go premium economy so I can put my arm round dc and speak to them and comfort them.

CeeceeBloomingdale · 28/09/2022 23:59

Yes it is 100% club sit from Heathrow to NYC with BA. It'll be fine, especially as it'll be a day flight so no one will mind you getting up and down to settle the children.

Seat wise I'd try to get back row of the cabin, 9yo and adult in middle, 6yo child across aisle by window , then other adult in middle in front of adult and 2yo child across the aisle in the window. That way 9yo or you can cross behind if you want to access each other. otherwise 9yo in front of you all in window if you prefer same aisle for access.

laurinee · 18/06/2023 07:45

@Rhayader we are in a similar situation and I wondered how your 2 year old got on? Thanks in advance

Original poster

Rhayader · 18/06/2023 10:53

laurinee · 18/06/2023 07:45

@Rhayader we are in a similar situation and I wondered how your 2 year old got on? Thanks in advance

Ahh good luck!

So the morning of our flight we got an alert to say our seats had changed and they had swapped the plane out for the old style layout which was a bit better.

that said, she really didn’t sleep much at all except for at landing when she slipped out of her seat! We were descending and my husband spotted her and got out of his seat, the cabin crew were seated for landing and shouted out to him to get back into his seat but once they realised what had happened they were very understanding and said he did the right thing and he was able to get her in her seat and back into his in time for actual landing 😬.

my other two kids were totally fine. I would recommend the play rooms in the lounges.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3