to put the children in economy while DH and I fly business class?

[OfCourseIveNameChangedForThis]

Testing name change.

I used to have to sit apart from my parents as a child/teen because we were staff travel (dad worked for big airline). We had to use up the available seats and they were often apart. I didn't enjoy sitting on my own or with DB, especially if I was close to strangers which you are in economy.

If you are desperate for business class, you should sit adult + child and swap. Last time I knew the age limit for business class was 12 though so if 1 of your DC isn't allowed I would can the idea.

I am also sad for you that your DH is like this. He sounds horrible.

Haven't read whole thread but think dh is being unreasonable tosser.
All go premium economy.

Your DH seems to want to enjoy the full trappings and status of the Alpha Male even though either through economic downturn or reduced earning ability he now doesn't earn enough to fly you all the style to which you have become accustomed.

Are they overnight flights each way?I guess it depends how long the flights are as well. We don't know if its US or NZ, and an 8 hr vs a 16 hr flight would be very different times to leave your DCs in economy on their own for.

If its not overnight on the way over then I can see absolutely no reason why you shouldn't all sit together in economy or if that's too much of a hardship for your pampered prince, then premium economy.

The way back is somewhat different if he is going to work the next day. I guess in that case I can understand why he would feel the need to have a pull out bed style seat rather than standard economy. Then you sit with the children in economy but on the strict understanding that this is purely a cost based rationale, not on a he is better than the rest of you because he has a busy important job reckoning.

happy. I also work but part time. And look after the kids and the house the rest of the time. My work is less stressful than DH's, and I do get more time to myself.

You're right, DH does want to spend time with the children to catch up during holidays as his work hours are long. Usually he doesn't see much of them on weekdays, but does make the effort to spend time doing stuff with them at weekends. However, I don't see a noisy flight as quality time to catch up. Last time when we were all together in Business Class, the 13yo read and listened to the ipod and the 10yo watched films for most of the flight.

"I think you are a bit mean if you begrudge answering a couple of questions for the person next to you durig a 12hr flight."

I would only begrudge it if the person was a child whose parents had fucked off to business class.

I have never flown posher than economy, but if I ever do I will go postal if I am sitting next to half a family who keep being pestered by and swapping places with the other half. Is that really considered to be alright?

I think you should all go economy, and book a separate long weekend somewhere local and luxurious when the kids are with grandparents or something. Your husband does sound a twat, and one day's work on no sleep won't kill him, but it is true that there is no replacement for a proper rest and if you can manage not to have every hour of every day of every year unadulterated Family Time, then go for it.

Am I the only one who thinks this is fine? Lots of posters saying "don't you treat your children equally to yourselves?" Answer, ummm, no not at all. I've got the big bedroom, they share the smaller one. I buy myself clothes in expensive shops (sometimes), they get H&M with an occasional Gap if very lucky. My family is not a democracy. I am the (usually) benevolent dictator. My mum, on the other hand, I would insist was treated the same as me. I don't really like the idea of children in business class anyway - not because of the other passengers but just because of the false expectations it sets up in them.

I have thought about doing this with some airmiles that I've got but my children are too young to leave on their own. At 13 and 10 the OP's would be fine surely?

The only thing I'm a bit about is possibly precious husband concerned about being tired but then I am constantly tired and feel irrationally angry with anyone who dares to complain about it

of course it's breaking the law that is why there are statutory requirements for sending a child unsupervised on a flight

How come there are plenty of occasions then when I have flown and people with unallocated tickets have been spread around the plane nowhere near their kids then?

what 'false expectations' does flying in business set up in children?

at margo being irrationally angry at people complaining they are tired.

I am the same. We are ALL fucking tired. Shut up talking to me about it, it is not a competition.

My mum, on the other hand, I would insist was treated the same as me.

So you aren't inferior to your mother, but your children are inferior to theirs?

In an emergency will your children know what to do? If the seatbelt signs go on will they be aware to fasten their seatbelt and not get up and go to the loo until they are off again? Have seen it many times and it is a nightmare for the crew.

This is hilarious. Talk about first world problems

I fly first or business class very often. I would not mind teens in the cabin with me. Id be massively fucked off if a family spent the flight playing musical chairs. Tell your husband to lump his sense of grandeur and travel with the rest of the family. One bad night won't kill him. I'm sure you've had a few bad nighs with the kids in your time!

Yep, Margo is dead right

I would love to fly first class just to see what it's like - is it that much better than business?

at vezzie going "postal"

At 10 and 13 my brother and I would niggle each other and people around us would be disturbed. On a long haul flight I too would judge if I was the unfortunate placed next to your darlings if I knew you were in posh class.

And unless your children are perfect, they will bicker, siblings do.
That's not fair on the people sitting next to them either.

They seriously don't bicker. They're not perfect, but they don't bicker.

So you aren't inferior to your mother, but your children are inferior to theirs

It isnt a case of being "inferior".. it is about being a child, not an adult. Being an adult should mean you are higher up in the hierarchy than a child.

Are you BU?

In a word: yes

marvin, I just think they see life as easy and smooth and they always get the upgraded option and then when they have to make their own way in life they have no experience of doing without or having the second best option.

I work with lots of people who treat their children like this (think agreeing to let their child travel on school friend's dad's private helicopter to school friend's dad's ski chalet) and I know the parents are just trying to give their children opportunities and allow them to enjoy the world and their good fortune but how will that help them when they are 23 and scraping together a living on a tiny salary and trying to last till the next pay cheque. I think even rich kids should have to go through this, otherwise, how will they know about perseverence, hard work, delayed gratification etc?

Don't think this is what the OP is doing btw. It's just a pet issue of mine (and not one I should really worry about since I'm not exactly living the high life myself!).

GetOrf - not imo, no. not worth the cost difference. I wouldn't bother paying for it - wouldn't refuse if upgraded though

I'm sorry, but why is the husband's feeling less important than that of the child? Business class is a luxury which he can afford for himself and his wife and should not have to get permission from his children to take advantage of. They are not paying for this holiday and should simply be grateful that they are getting the chance to go.

It's the same as buying a car when they are of the age that they can drive. Would it also be unacceptable for the DH in this case to trade in a car to buy a new one unless he could buy a car for every other driving member of his family?