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

[OfCourseIveNameChangedForThis]

Testing name change.

I made the 1% comment. I'm not objecting to how people spend their money - I'm objecting to this nonsense being considered as a problem. Do try and read posts properly.

I don't think flying business class is spoiling kids btw, spoiling is granting every wish and allowing bad behaviour. Which is what OP is doing with her husband.

LeQueen. You are the voice of reason.

Well who'd have thought it, this AIBU thread has made me change my mind!

Lesley you are right. I have to say I hadn't really thought about the reality of two children sitting in a different class to their parents and the possibly problems they might face.

So, I now agree with other posters who say the OP is BU.

So those who think this is fine - would you put your kids in 2nd class train carriage and sit in 1st class yourself?

overmydeadbody - wow I'm strangely flattered that my post changed your mind

Didn't this happen in Home Alone? The McCallister's put all the children in economy and sat in business class themselves! Haha, I thought that was supposed to be a joke in the movie. You seriously aren't considering this are you?!

thisisanickname - For most kids taking a flight is as enjoyable as going out for a meal. Especially long haul with entertainment centres on the back of seats which means easy access to lots of games and films

I think it's fine for the parents/kids if that's how you do things (can't imagine my children being particularly impressed but still), but it's very selfish for the poor sod stuck next to them. However well behaved you think they are they'll end up having to deal with them in some way.

I still agree with LeQueen though

Yes, Lesley, re the train 1st/2nd, good idea!!

Making myself be dull serious, it depends on the kids, doesn't it?

LeQueen you have spectacularly missed the point that most people are making. Why should someone in economy class be stuck next to the OP's children on a long haul flight whilst the OP and her DH sit in BC because the OP and her husband can't face up to the fact that they can't afford for the whole family to fly BC.

disclaimer I've not read the whole thread (sorry), but the reason I wanted to jump in and post is because I don't think you deserve the flaming!

YANBU - the kids are 10 and 13! That's really quite mature enough for children to sit on their own IMO (or at least should be if you've brought them up properly and they don't have any other behavioural issues etc.). If you'd said 5 & 7 I would have thought differently.

Presumably you'll go and check on them, and you'll be able to let the cabin crew know where you are if there is a problem of any sort.

I'd definitely consider this if I couldn't afford it for everyone - not least because what you mainly pay for in PE/BC is the extra leg room (and booze) neither of which are needed by younger travellers!

Suppose you had an only child who brought a friend along with him/her on holiday. You usually travel Business Class but the parents of the friend can "only" afford Economy. Would it be unreasonable for you (the adults) to travel Business and have the kids in Economy? Hypothetical.

I have a well behaved 10 year old and definitely would NOT want to be stuck next to an unknown ten year old on a flight. Even if they were as well behaved as him. (and you can't get better behaved than him which I'm allowed to say as ds1 and ds3 are frigging nightmares).

As I posted earlier I have had this situation. In economy in long haul flight (can afford bs, so not jealous, just too tight to pay for it) was sat next to 2 kids whose parents were in bs.

They were beautifully behaved but still turned to me for help with things. For example 1 needed help with entertainment centre as she couldn't get it to play a particular film, I woke 1 up so they got a meal and I got lots of questions about how long till we land, etc.

If they had been UM or because of seat allocation forced into this fine. But I was not happy to look after them so their parents could sit somewhere nicer. tbh I think its pretty selfish behaviour.

this isnt about letting adults sit on a seat this is about parents indulging themselves leaving their children in economy class because they want a nice comfy seat and some champagne , Its indulgent selfish and neglectful , imo ,

"Can I just ask, what flights do you people take that are such an enjoyable part of your holidays"

Mine aren't. Before we set off I sit the children down an remind them that I will shout at them I will be bad tempered and stressed out but we just have to get through it and when we get there all will be forgotten.

It doesn't mean I can off load the responsibility of being a parent not some unsuspecting stranger.

"it is like having children in the same house as you for 9 hours but spending a lot of that time in a different room. "

It's more like having them in the same public space as you for 9 hours but spending a lot of that time leaving someone else to look after them rather than being the parent yourself.

grovel depends on whether your kid is hard working and has deferred his/her bonus. If so, then it would be certainly unreasonable to let your kid go in economy.

we have jobs where we fly first class but our maid and kids fly ec plus.

I would do it but my DC are older and only grunt.

"it is like having children in the same house as you for 9 hours but spending a lot of that time in a different room. "

Its more like sending them round to a random strangers house to hang out and saying the kids are old enough to look after themselves. If this was a private jet and kids were at the back and adults at the front that would be fine. But it is the lack of consideration for others that doesn't make this okay.

Well Lesley33 - I would agree that's annoying, but the OP just needs to make sure they instruct the kids that they need to call cabin crew with questions not the adult sitting next to them. Why didn't you tell the children to ask the cabin crew? I certainly wouldn't bother waking an unknown child up to ensure they got a meal! Maybe they wanted to sleep! It sounds like you took responsibility and then want to pass yourself off as some kind of martyr.