To Risk Upsetting Other Travellers

[JustPurple]

I am going back to work at the end of October and am looking to squeeze in a last minute holiday before I go back. We will be flying long haul and have an 8 month old baby.

We usually fly premium economy when we travel with TUI because I'm not great with large groups of people. WIBU to take an infant into premium economy? I feel like people would be cross if she made any noise when they've paid out for an upgrade, presumably for a calmer and more enjoyable experience. The baby doesn't usually cry for any length of time but she's never flown before.

Not a direct response to your post (although I don't think people have any sort of right to demand public spaces be kept free of babies because that logically leads to the exclusion of women - and they shouldn't be able to buy their way out if that). My cousin used a neat trick when she flew with her baby of similar age. She breastfed him during takeoff and landing, apparently helps with the pressure. He was calm the whole flight. Enjoy your holiday OP!

swingofthings It is possible to adapt to the noise of your baby screaming? I wish you had imparted that wisdom to me when I was sleep deprived with a 6 month old....😂

There was a child that screamed non stop for 6 hours on a recent flight; I can still hear them 😑😑

Honestly no one wants to sit near Noisy kids or Noisy adults. However this is the nature of public transport.

To be honest I'd rather have a noisy kid with a parent who was making an effort to quieten them then noisy people who are just bloody rude.

OP as long as you are willing to try and pacify the baby if they get noisy I don't see the issue. It's those folk who have no consideration at all for other folk I can't stand.

I'm never quite sure why parents want to take babies on aircraft but hey ho.

I don't really think they WANT to take them, but it's illegal to leave them home alone.

Lol @Brambleboo

I'm never quite sure why parents want to take babies on aircraft but hey ho

Likely for similar reasons to a person traveling without a child.

Not all families have the luxury of living in the same country or on the same continent as other families members....

Maybe they fancied a holiday?

Weirdly life doesn't stop when you have a family.

Tonno you rock 🤣

Who are all you weirdos who think parents aren't bothered by their children's noise and crying?

Do you people think we were born parents and never had a period in our lives where we, too, had no kids but had to put up with other people's? If you pay attention to any conversation about parenting (and on this site, the clue's in the name - you shouldn't have too much trouble finding something), you'll see that the noise drives us completely barking too. Why would you think it doesn't? Why would you think that we find it cute? Why would you think that we think others find it cute?

I never thought any of this before I had kids. I was without children, not terminally stupid. I haven't been a parent for that long. Has something shifted in that time?

OTOH, if you know a failsafe way to quieten a screaming child, please, please, please for the love of God tell us. We'll pay good money, fuck we'll pay more than the cost of a hallowed business class ticket.

😂 @AynRandTheObjectivist So so accurate. We just find our kids so darn cute that we relish in it, wish I had it on tape to listen to over a glass of wine of an evening. trust me, no one feels it more than the parents - because it's our responsibility to do something about it! & that ain't always easy! I really hope when my kids are grown & im middled aged + I'll remember & I'll sympathise with parents. Not judge & tut, I hate the thought of ever being THAT person.

I was never a dick to parents before I had kids. I didn't want kids at that point but I didn't think it was something to be punished for. It's a pretty normal, natural and common thing to do. It might even be essential on a species level. Yes it's annoying when kids scream but it's one of those things. They're a part of society, they're actually quite important and they don't always do as they're told. I've had far more trouble from stag parties, drunk people, people on drugs and disgusting men.

If your biggest problem is a baby in your business class flight, please allow my flea circus to play their violins for you.

My son is now 3 but I have flown 3/4 times a year in premium and even business since he was 12 weeks old... I never even considered anyone else. And I go away once or twice a year with just DP and we go business - never bothers me if there are kids there because I have my music playing in my ears and am always engrossed in my book. Go for it and enjoy your holiday from start to finish x

Alles
Hope you feel better about yourself

Nope. I don't need to sneer about someone else's ability to express themselves in order to feel good about myself. You should try it.

@multivac 🤣🤣
She can give, but she can't take. At all.

Blimey this has all gone slightly rogue

All Op was asking was if it would be acceptable to sit in Premium on a charter 'holiday' flight with her baby.

I think some posters think the few 'extra legroom with drinks and a pair of socks thrown in' rows 'on their A/C actually equate to full on first.

This will be families where they've paid an extra few hundred pounds not thousands for a little extra comfort whist going on their holidays.

Did Op even come back

Am very surprised at posters who can’t understand why you fly with babies.

I don’t think they literally don’t understand it. It’s more of a “how very dare you bring a child within a ten mile radius of me” 🤷‍♀️

Other travellers have paid for extra legroom, not the absence of children

^ This. Your money is as good as theirs and if you can pay for it then that's all there is to it - the airlines would say no babies if they weren't prepared to allow children in there.

If the airline says you can I don’t see why not.

Kids making noise on planes don’t annoy me, it’s parents of kids making noise who aren’t trying to do anything about it that annoy me.

I took my 7 month old on a 5 hour flight in first class. She didn't make a peep. My husband was so worried that other travelers would be upset with a baby in first class. Nobody cared but she also wasn't fussy or anything. At that age they sleep most of the time anyway. People loved her! Don't worry!

We flee economy in the end. By the time I'd finished fussing and went to book it, premium didn't have any seats next to each other left.

We arrived yesterday afternoon and it turns out I was worrying for nothing.

Baby napped for about an hour, and played quietly for the other 7. The only comments we had were about how well behaved and pleasant she was. A few people did admit to expecting a tough journey when they saw the were near a baby.

Thank you for the reassurance and I hope the way back is just as smooth.

Am very surprised at posters who can’t understand why you fly with babies Unless you have to fly with a baby, no, I don't understand it. Going on holiday is not a 'have to' obviously. If you have relatives that can't come to you for whatever reason, then I suppose you don't have a choice.

@Gromance02 no but you're allowed to WANT to go on holiday when you have a baby 🤣

Unless you have to fly with a baby, no, I don't understand it.

It doesn't matter at all that you can't understand it.

Unless you have to fly with a baby, no, I don't understand it.

^^what a bizarre statement!

If it was unreasonable the airline should ban it, if the passengers are unhappy to be sitting with a child/baby then they should take it up with the airline and the policy.

As others said, i think if parents are ignoring a screaming/crying baby then thats unfair in any class but if you will tend to baby if she is a little upset then why the hell not.

Tip is to feed/bottle on take off and landing and take plenty of toys and snacks!!

You enjoy your first holiday away with your baby, i think its a lovely idea before you go back to work!!