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

[OfCourseIveNameChangedForThis]

Testing name change.

Yes, they would obviously have to travel as unaccompanied minors - does this cost a lot extra? I didn't realise.

I think it really boils down to how the kids feel about it. I also don't get the "hardworking man" thing. Can't you just come back a day earlier so that he can rest before returning to work?

No, definitely not fair. If your DH genuinely needs to be rested when he gets back, then he could go business class, but surely one of you needs to be there to look after the children? Could you not fly back a day before your DH has to go back to work, so he can recover then rather than on the flight?

Yes, they would obviously have to travel as unaccompanied minors - does this cost a lot extra? I didn't realise.

I think it really boils down to how the kids feel about it. I also don't get the "hardworking man" thing. Can't you just come back a day earlier so that he can rest before returning to work?

What happens if you go through massive turbulence and they are frightened? Bad turbulence is horrific (got the tshirt). Or....emergency landing, you get off one exit and they get off another, you can't help them or make sure they're off. I flew loads by myself as a child and my children have too, but I would be totally hacked off if I knew my parents were living in large at the front of the plane.

X post

BA's rules for example.

Your DH is an arse.

YABU
travel together or don't go.
Go somewhere nearer - nobody needs to go on long haul holidays. If you can afford to "fly with style" (sorry couldn't help a buzz lightyear reference) go somewhere nearer.
I have only left the UK twice in my life - I am not suffering as a result!
Why should other people sit next to your kids even though you/your dh can't be bothered?

To be fair to the OPs DH, he didnt say he wouldnt entertain the idea of travelling with his kids. He said he wouldnt entertain the idea of travelling anything under Business Class. Amounts to the same thing, but not the same...

We had considered this when we booked our summer holiday as we couldn't afford 5 x business returns. But I'm the end decided against it due to:

1. what if there's bad turbulence or aborted landing which have both happened I recent past to us
2. it being completely opposite to a "family holiday"

We're now going out economy and back business when it's the return rest that really matters. Is this something you could consider?

They would not be unaccompanied minors! You are on the same flight. Also remember at 10 and 12 if they were genuinely unaccompanied minors they aren't looked after on the flight at all anyway (no extra staff, just treated as anyone else) the payment you make is just for the staff at either end.

YANBU to run it past the MN jury- v brave and you're obviously weighing it up instead of agreeing without thought.

YABU though because:

1. If your DH works so hard he probably doesn't see his kids much and this should be a family holiday.
2. Why should it be someone else's job to keep half an eye on your kids? (even if they are well behaved, it's still your job to be a "presence" should they need you).
3. Re: your DH - lots of men work hard at stressful jobs and still get that holidays are for being WITH your kids not segregating them.
4. Why can't he take one day off after you get home for sleeping?

They won't be 'unaccompanied'; their parents will be on the same flight. If they are well behaved, they would probably relish the chance to be a bit independent. Depends on your dc's really (and the regulations of the airline).

That is true Beyond. He doesn't like doing long haul in economy. And in the past, when we've been able to afford it, we have travelled with children in Business Class. And they have been very well-behaved and not hassled other passengers (because I know this is a bugbear for some).

I think it's fine providing the children don't mind and are going to behave (that would be the issue for me as I wouldn't want them to inconvenience anyone else/ get daggers in the immigration queue).

Dreadful idea.

long haul is horrible if you've got to go back to work the next day, whichever class you've been in.
i don't understand why people do it to themselves for a holiday - we went to Peru last year (only go longhaul every few years for something really special) and we came back early to rest at home for a couple of days before going back to work.

Hmm.

Obviously you are evil and don't love your children but I see the dilemma of not being able to afford buisness x 4 but your DH fretting about not getting any sleep and then going to work.

I think you'd have to:

a. Look on it as buying 2 x business and 2 x economy and everybody gets to swap around, with key sleeping time for DH in business accompanied either by you or a child SWORN to silence with the aid of electronic goods.

b. One seat in business, 3x premium rump steak economy, adults take turns occupying the business seat with DH having it for a key few hours of sleep, while the other 3 get to sit together. That would be much nicer, really. And cheaper!

WRT the kids missing out on business class, I think they'd be far too excited about feeling independent and sitting by themselves to think about that!

Most kids of that age on planes just want to play video games/watch movies/read anyway, so it doesn't sound like they'd be an unreasonable burden on the rest of economy class.

will you be putting the nanny back there with them too?
that is the accepted form on the way back from the Med at the end of the summer

just get 2 pairs of 2 seats in front of each other
it works fine

I can't help thinking that if you did this it sends a very strong message to your children that they are worth less than you and DH, which to me feels very very wrong!

I don't think YABU. They will be quite fine, you are only a few rows away and children don't need the same leg room!

They can watch the TV and play their game boys.

You could always all go out Premium economy and then just return Business and Premium economy or business and economy.

That way you've only split up for one leg of the journey, but DH is still rested for work.

YANBU

We have been fortunate to be able to go to the US every year on holiday for past 7 years. We fly economy. Both DH and I have stressful jobs we need to return to the day after we get back. We deal with it as we want a FAMILY holiday.

"YANBU to run it past the MN jury- v brave and you're obviously weighing it up instead of agreeing without thought."

Not that brave. I did name change.

And yes, I am weighing up the benefits of the kids getting to go on an interesting holiday and experience things they wouldn't see normally versus being "abandoned at the back of the plane".

As a thought, if you wouldnt mind, why not DH and one child there, DH and other child back? So the kids get the experience...?
Err, why not OP and one child outward, DH and other child return? So everyone in the family gets the experience? Seeing as it's the return to work that DH needs to be fresh for, not the holiday :)