To be shocked at this

[Grennie]

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?

When we went to Sydney some years ago there was a family did this. We were flying upper class with our kids (then 2 and 8 months) and met a family in the Lounge with kids about 11/12, and on the plane the parents were up with us and kids down in premium economy. They appeared a few times to politely ask something but otherwise were barely seen. At the time I was very surprised but now I have a 9yr old who will happily read quietly for hours on her own I can see the appeal!

I still wouldn't do it yet. They need to be old enough to deal with everything from a malfunctioning belt to strong turbulence alone, and my 9yr old couldn't do that yet. Maybe as teenagers...!

It could be that her company are paying her tickets, and for whatever reason, has decided to bring her kids with her?

I couldn't stop laughing when a friend of mine travelled Economy whilst her husband was in business class - they were on a single status contract, but we were on a married one, so fortunately never had to do that - but we would have done the same thing were we in their position.

Mind you, I'd be using it to wind up my husband for the rest of his life!

I remember Kate Hudson, the actress said that when her mother , Goldie Hawn and partner Kurt Russell and family went on flights, the kids were always in economy and their parents in first class. She also said that her parents were always saying that where they lived as a family was the kids' home not their house. The parents were just reaffirming that the kids, no matter how rich or successful that their parents were, they had no right to feel a sense of entitlement. It was always said that their parents would probably help their kids get a foot in the door, should they choose to be entertainers, but anything after that, they had to do for themselves.
The kids in economy class were not toddlers. The plane was full of passengers and flight attendants. The kids probably felt "grown", not sitting with their parents. Nothing to get worked up about as the children appear to have been well socialised (they didn't run riot, did they?).

Does no one remember the start of Home Alone?! The parents were sat up front while the kids were all in economy...

Personally, if I were going on holiday, I wouldn't dream of splitting the family up - if we couldn't' all afford First Class , then we'd all be together in economy. I agree with the earlier poster who said that she enjoyed the "family togetherness" part of travelling - it's the first stage of your holiday together and I wouldn't' want to be separated from either my husband or my children.

As well as the positive aspect of wanting to travel together, I'm afraid I would also have the negative aspects in mind too. Turbulence can be very scary for children (and for adults too!) and I would definitely want to be near my kids to reassure them - also to answer any questions that might arise from any flight announcements that are made.

Also - and I realise that flying is considered the safest form of transport - there is always the verry small, but real, risk that things may go wrong and, in that eventuality, I would want my nearest and dearest right beside me.

Sorry - "very"! (Typing without contacts in!)

I'd do it in a heartbeat.

Youdon't know what their circumstances were.

YABU to judge for that reason alone.

I would not want to fly in a seperate cabin to DS..... Besides the look on the faces when you walk into first class with a four year old is priceless

I've flown first class and left husband and kids in economy. Wouldn't just leave them there themselves though. So no wouldn't book a different class for myself.

greenie

if you see this again, you must pull the perpetrator aside and say you are on mn and that you want to know why they are seated separately...

We had to do something similar coming back from Los Angeles this summer. 10.5 hour red eye flight.

We fly airline staff standby and got the last 4 seats on the plane. Ds age 11 was right down the back on an aisle seat, dh was about 10 rows forward but stuck in a window seat, dd (8) was another 12 rows in front on an aisle and lucky me was upstairs in business class. The hostess knew that we were a split family from the passenger manifest even though we only got tickets 5 minutes before boarding. This means that they keep a special eye on the dc's - it's very, very common.

We all coped fine. I got them settled in their seats, checked on them after take off and after the meal service and then they slept for the rest of the flight. Checked on them again at breakfast and then we all met up and the end of the jetty on departure. Both dc's said they enjoyed the flight and we were complimented on their behaviour by the adults sat next to them.

Next year ds will be allowed into business if space available upgrades are there so one adult will sit up front with him and one will be down the back in economy with dd. To be honest once both are 12 if there are only 2 upgrades available we adults will take them. We have to drive at the end of the flight and they really won't appreciate the extra space, meal service or bar.

Staff standby is a lottery and there will be times when 2 of us fly home and the other 2 get left to try for the next days flight. That's stressful splitting up - being in different parts of the same plane is no biggie.

Bailey same thing for us. hate the stress of it but ok once we get there.

Okay Yoni

I had a wealthy client who used to fly first while his WIFE and child were in economy!! No company involved - he book himself.

I judged