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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shocked at this

91 replies

Grennie · 21/10/2013 12:09

I went on a long haul flight. There was a mum there with two children aged about 8 and 12 years of age. She settled the two children into seats in economy and then went to her lie down bed in first class.

Both DP and I were shocked that someone would do this. We all fly economy. But if we were going to pay for first class, we would not separate children and adults.

So AIBU?

OP posts:
PrimalLass · 21/10/2013 12:44

If you take children into business class or first then you also get slagged off on the internet. The Flyertalk forums is full of it.

TheGirlFromIpanema · 21/10/2013 12:45

But the price is simply shocking!!

I read somewhere once that 95% of first/business class flights are paid for by business rather than personal customers!

Fishfingers, your retort to the snippy on the other thread made me chuckle Grin

ScaryBeardyDeadyman · 21/10/2013 12:46

Let's be honest here, they should've chartered a private plane to avoid being seen by MNers. Then they could've played darts and hide&seek and water polo to stay entertained.

Winterwardrobetime · 21/10/2013 12:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaurieFairyCake · 21/10/2013 12:59

It's fine. Kids are just excited to be on a plane without needing the free booze and massages in first class.

DontPanicMrMannering · 21/10/2013 13:05

What if something happened? Awful turbulence, mechanical problems resulting in massks / belt signs coming on, plummeting to their deaths?

8 is still little they'd want their mum, even the 12 year old really.

I've been on 3 flights where we have had to have belts and 1 where they rurned round and went back on 1 engine, unlike unlikely crashes minor problems happen a lot.

Original poster
Grennie · 21/10/2013 13:07

I guess I just think it sends the clear message that the kids are inferior.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 21/10/2013 13:09

Only to you Grennie, only to you. But this is why I love AIBU.

Grin
Noideaatall · 21/10/2013 13:13

hasn't anyone seen Home Alone 2!

DigestivesAndPhiladelphia · 21/10/2013 13:15

She sounds brilliant. Having recently endured a flight with my 8 year old, I would give anything to to be able to slope off to first class without him. To a lie down bed... Imagine Envy

Crowler · 21/10/2013 13:16

I don't have a huge problem with it, although I'd be worried my kids would be a bother to the plebs in coach.

Surely as parents we have all told our kids at some point that the reason have something better (or something that they don't have at all) is because we're adults and we have jobs.

Ragwort · 21/10/2013 13:18

Sounds fine to me, I would love to do that Grin. On our last long-haul flight we couldn't all get seats together and our DS (10) was delighted to sit on his own - none of us were in Business class unfortunately.

Children are smaller than adults, it's not quite so uncomfortable in economy as it is for larger people Grin.

SHarri13 · 21/10/2013 13:24

Ha this thread is in stark contrast to the expensive food thread where some give their children only posh stuff, I hope said people would also fork out for the first class seat Grin

I wouldn't do it as my conscience wouldn't allow but it sounds great for those who can,

Reason123 · 21/10/2013 14:21

I have to agree with the OP actually. The kids are too young to be left alone on a long haul flight. What if their behaviour starts to be annoying to the other passengers whilst the mum is oblivious in 1st class? What if theres an emergency and the mum cant get back to help the kids? Its not the cabin crews responsibility to look after them or the other passengers.

Perhaps shes the type of mum who goes on holiday and leaves them asleep whilst she goes out to dinner!

havatry · 21/10/2013 14:29

I think 12 is ok but 8 is too young myself. My 8 year old would definitely be kicking the seat in front without regular reminders not to.

ImperialBlether · 21/10/2013 14:29

I think it's more likely the mum was having her ticket paid for by work and she was taking the kids along but begrudged spending £10,000 or whatever on the tickets.

SpottyDottie · 21/10/2013 14:32

I find it shocking tbh. Why sit separately from your children??

DropYourSword · 21/10/2013 14:32

I don't think the kids would mind to be honest!
And they don't really need the leg room.

Justforlaughs · 21/10/2013 14:33

I think the OP was Envy rather than Shock! Wink I would have been!

mummytime · 21/10/2013 15:55

There have been posts like this before.

Those who are envying the mother have forgotten the fact, that parents are supposed to sit near children in case there is an emergency, so they can help their own children. That is why at 8 and 12 children flying alone have a special status as unaccompanied minors (which they will not have in this case).

Original poster
Grennie · 21/10/2013 16:01

Just - No not envious. I can afford to fly first class, I just think it is a waste of money.

OP posts:
Mattissy · 21/10/2013 23:40

Mine are 12 and 8, they love each other and get along great 90% of the time but sitting side by side on a long haul flight would prompt that other 10%!!! The other passengers would lynch me after 10 minutes of constant bicker and squabble!

ajandjjmum · 21/10/2013 23:51

I would LOVE to fly 1st Class, but haven't got enough money to justify it!

On a school trip we were on (parents and kids), one father left his DS with the mob, and went to his own 1st Class seat. Didn't go down too well with the other parents - although we were all secretly very jealous! Grin

StrawberryGashes · 22/10/2013 00:07

I wouldn't do it, but not because I'd be worried about my dc thinking they were inferior as tbh I don't think that would cross their minds, but at 8 and 12 I'd still want to be close to them incase anything went wrong, but then I'm a bit of a worrier.

Was she checking on them regularly? My son is almost 7 and can get quite hyper and needs reminding to not shout, I'm sure an 8 year old may have moments where they get restless and will start to act up, especially on a long haul flight.

Mim78 · 22/10/2013 00:15

I think at that age parent needs to be with them if at all possible - I.e. unless they had to fly alone for some reason.

Both to take care of them and to ensure they don't annoy other passengers.