Children in business class for long flight... what's the MN verdict?

[Somerville]

Come on then... genuinely don't know if I'm being unreasonable here. Who has a gavel to hand?!

We're going on holiday in the summer with other family members and their kids; 7 kids and 4 adults in total. DH just priced it all up, hoping that it would be within budget to travel premium economy (He's very tall!).

He was looking for the cheapest flights rather than particular dates and found a bargain for the outward flight with one airline - direct, business class seats for just £10 more per person than the standard premium economy price that month (and a quarter of the standard BC price) - and there are enough seats for all of us.

We're holding the flights, while we wait to hear if the dates work for the other couple. Assuming they do, how unreasonable is it to press buy? Any true business travellers who have to zoom off to meetings on another continent on arrival will be fuming, right, as we traipse on with 7 over-excited children?! But they're all pretty well-behaved kids, as kids go. And presumably the airline is anticipating low demand from business travellers for that flight, hence pricing it for holiday travellers instead. If we don't book it, others will. (And for that reason, I'm not stating the airline or destination!)

[Somerville]

Will they behave properly ie sit on their seats watching tv/reading/playing ipads or will their be hijinks ?

Well...
Mine haven't flown long haul for a few years, but short haul/ long car journeys and the like, they know haw to behave themselves and will read/watch movies.
But, they are very exited at going on holiday with their cousins, and I suspect that for the younger ones there will be the temptation to scream with laughter over a game of slam and then have a loud row over who the winner is and whose a stinking loser. And this would be an issue in economy as well, but then they'd all be in the same row as an adult or sarcastic teenage older sibling. Quite how we'd get them to sit still and keep quiet when they're several rows away from us I'm unsure about.

Threats of losing treats on holiday will probably - hopefully - work. Right...?!

[Applesauce29]

You'd be mad not to, just keep an eye out that they don't swipe the champagne being offered. Otherwise enjoy :)

[feesh]

It will be fine - I'm an expat and most other expats except us do this as the norm.

Just watch it if it's a bargain ticket as it might not have the same benefits (luggage allowance, chauffeur, lounge access etc) as normal fares.

[SuperFlyHigh]

Headphones for their gadgets but otherwise yes, book it.

[Somerville]

Okay, okay, we're doing it - as long as we hear they can make those dates! DH is ringing them again now.

I was sure that MN is judgey about taking kids in business class, but that my RL friends can't see the issue. Maybe it's the other way round... I'll have to STFU about it with everyone I know!

I must admit to being pissed off, travelling for work in BC in the dim and distant past, by a screaming baby. But I was breastfeeding, and every time the baby cried I had to go and express more milk in the loo.

[MrsPeelyWally]

Business class is for anyone who can afford the fare and nothing to do with people traveling on Business although it might have been at one time.

As a family we fly Business when traveling with the children, (my grandchildren now) and I've never had to worry about anyone's behavior. Neither have I ever come across other badly behaved children. In fact I've never come across badly behaved children anywhere on an aircraft and I fly a lot.

Don't wait for your friends to decide - just buy the tickets. Going on a big holiday together does not mean being joined at the hip.

[INeedNewShoes]

A little pep talk beforehand might help. And I would say that games like 'Slam' that are fast, furious and very exciting (I love Slam!) are not appropriate for on the plane because that will definitely result in noisiness.

Just tell them to sit and watch films, read or play quiet games (Battleships anyone?) or draw/colour in.

If you have high expectations of them and expect them to have some respect for fellow travellers (which they ought to) then they probably will.

[Trills]

"MN is judgey about X" is a bit of a useless statement.

MN has thousands of active posters - some of them think you shouldn't book children in business class, others disagree.

[Trills]

If your kids can't sit quietly, they'll be just as annoying in economy as in business.

[LucklessMonster]

How old are they?

[Somerville]

Just watch it if it's a bargain ticket as it might not have the same benefits (luggage allowance, chauffeur, lounge access etc) as normal fares.

Thanks. I just told DH to check this out, but he already had. It's not an airline that has a car service for business. But yes to lounge access and luggage allowance.
Fast track through the airport is actually what makes me happiest about this, with quite a large group. Not even the flat beds, since I reckon I'll be up and down every other minute hissing at children to be quiet before they lose all their holiday pocket money...

[Imamouseduh]

I usually travel business class long haul and to be honest people could be doing who knows what in the next seat and I'd barely notice. You're in your own bubble in business class seats. As long as your kids aren't physically walking around bugging people no one will care.

[Chewbecca]

Hope you get to book them OP, I wouldn't hesitate.

[Somerville]

"MN is judgey about X" is a bit of a useless statement. MN has thousands of active posters - some of them think you shouldn't book children in business class, others disagree.

True, true. Just a light-hearted off-the-cuff remark.

Being more analytical and serious, it was more that I thought I remembered reading Very Good Reasons why having children in BC was inconsiderate, on here. But I couldn't remember what they were.

[purplefizz26]

Nobody else gets a say.
You have he money to pay, you qualify

[TheMartiansAreInvadingUs]

Business class doesn't mean for adults only.
It's not because you are paying more that you should also expect silence and whatnot. You are paying for a Bigger seat, more baggage allowance and a better meal.
If they are children round so be it.

And TBH, I would is spect children to be behave just as well inconomy class than in business class. It's not because you are paying more that yu are entitled to more or less respect.

(edited to remove type by MNHQ)

[ClaryIsTheBest]

Anybody can fly business class.

So, sure. Do it.

As for the argument that kids can be loud and annoying... well, yes. They obviously shouldn't be. But it isn't like they'd be less annoying if they had an economy ticket, right?

So..., I think parents should make sure their kids are well behaved. Whether they're flying first class, business class or economy.

So, yes. Buy it!!!

[maddiemookins16mum]

God yes, and I'm sure kids are better on flights when they have more room/treats anyway. What on earth are you waiting for!!!

[OlafLovesAnna]

Do it! Do it! Do it!

If you pay for your ticket then you are as entitled to be there as anyone else. I would buy the tickets without further thought for my 4, 10 and 11 yr olds.

[MrsPeelyWally]

But I couldn't remember what they were

It shows the weren't worth remembering.

[FutureMrsRanj]

They will likely behave far better in BC than economy, BOOK IT NOW!!!!

[daffodilssoon]

Book it then please come back and share the bargain.
Congrats on the wedding, was it lovely?

[KatharinaRosalie]

Bloody hell, £10 more, you would be totally mad not to do it. Business class is not some kind of childfree quiet zone.

[LandLock]

We always flew business (BA) or virgin upper class with the DC when they were little if we were flying long distance. It's totally normal.

[Somerville]

... I would say that games like 'Slam' that are fast, furious and very exciting (I love Slam!) are not appropriate for on the plane because that will definitely result in noisiness.

I won't encourage Slam - I promise! I was just thinking about the last time we asked for quiet and what actually transpired...! Which doesn't make me sound as strict a parent as I actually am - honest!