Kids in economy, Adults in Business ! Is this allowed !

[RubyViolet]

Friend is taking her Grandchildren to the USA to holiday with their Dad. Dad lives full time on West Coast, it’s a long flight.
Granny and daughter/ Auntie have bought Business Class returns for themselves but Dad has paid for the 12 and 14 year old to sit in Economy.
Is this even allowed ? I know BA have ruled that no under 14’s can fly unaccompanied now. I don’t know who they are flying with but l can’t help feeling that this is unfair on the other passengers who will have 2 very lively unaccompanied kids amongst them for 14 hours.

DH & I also use the business-class lounge at the airport while waiting for the flirty, & give the kids £10 each to buy their own food and entertain themselves in the airpower departures area.

We've been doing this since they were about 12 & 14. Unfortunately DH's frequent flyer status only allows him to bring in one guest to the Lounge.

Kids love it.

I don’t see the problem at all. At that age, I’d have felt pretty pleased and grown-up to be able to travel semi-independently like that.

flight not flirty!

airport not airpower!

It’s actually cheaper to put all of you in economy and treat your children as equals with equal needs.

Sitting mushed up in econo for 14 hours and I don’t much like anyone TBH. My kids would happily wave me off the plane mid-flight.

I'd have been mortified if my kids couldn't behave themselves on an airplane at 12 and 14. Especially if they'd be so misbehaved as to disturb other passengers. That being said, I'd never nook myself a cushier travel accommodation than my travel companions, regardless if they were under 18. I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself knowing that i was doing that. I consider the comfort and enjoyment of my children to be of equal importance to me as my own. In short, it's a shitty thing to do, imo, but i can't imagine it causing any issues.

It is fine in theory, but in an emergency evacuation they would have to leave without any idea what was happening further down the aircraft. Not sure I could do that. X

I agree that while it's an arsehole thing for the parents to do, the kids are unlikely to be having tantrums and food fights in Economy. Most teenagers are pretty reasonable and cool, IME.

Selfish, but not unsafe or immoral in any way.

I personally dont like it but only because I'd want to be near my kids should anything go wrong (in the unlikely event the plane went down I'd want to be holding my kids,irrational probably but it is what it is) . But if the kids are happy I dont see a problem.

The kids may well not have equal needs to granny though. Kids are young and bendy and can sleep in washing lines. Granny is possibly a bit less comfy sitting up for 14 hours, she might have a gippy hip for instance and need to lie down. Just because she’s in BC doesn’t mean she’s clobbering the Veuve Clic!

It’s fine! A 12 year old and 14 year old don’t need to be entertained or taken to the toilet.

It’s not much different to being sat in different rows.

No need to spend £££ because granny and auntie want to travel in business class.

They're kids. They'll be just fine in economy. The adults deserve a bit of luxury by virtue of being adults.

I don’t see th problem at all. When my kids are old enough to sit alone, I intend to do the same.

They’re not being transported like veal calves - from reading this thread you’d think they’re standing in filthy cages for 12 hours

So you’re very wealthy - good for you. You needn’t pretend your morals are better, just your money.
Where did I say my morals are better? Oh right, I didn’t, you just made it up to fit your narrative. I’d have everyone in economy.

My first thought was home alone when the aunty felt bad the kids were "back in coach", I actually thought as an 8 year old this meant they'd taken the coach... From America to Paris .

But yes at 12 and 14 they are old enough to sit alone, I'm not sure what you are anticipating they'll do? They aren't toddlers.

Sounds good to me.

Thousands of people fly comply everyday and seem to survive quite nicely, so I'm sure the teenagers won't come to any harm.

I would imagine that the two children would quite enjoy having the grown up feeling of being away from the adults. It's a long flight,but they will have stuff to focus on, and I think they will have friendly attention from the cabin crew too. They will hardly be kicking the seats,and crying and causing disturbance to others. It's great for them to be having a trip like this anyway.

At what age is it acceptable to leave your kids in economy?

At their age I’d have loved it! I also can’t agree that they are likely to disturb other passengers, they’re not going to be singing “The wheels on the plane...” all the way there are they?
I can’t see myself doing it but I don’t think it’s unreasonable. At 57, my DH has loads of joint and nerve related aches and pains that he didn’t have at 14, I can see roomier seats are much more important for him than me, if one of us was offered a bump up a class, I’d suggest he take it for that reason.
It really won’t do the kids any harm at all.

Honestly, I've considering upgrading to Business and leaving DH in economy! The bastard shuts his eyes as soon as he sits down and wakes up eight hours later on a different continent. The lay down seat and extra space would be completely wasted on him but I don't get a wink of sleep on an economy flight and it knocks me for days afterwards.

I've never had the balls or money to actually do it, though.

I don't see that it should be a problem at that sort of age. They should certainly know how to behave by then. If they're at all typical, they'll spend much of the flight watching films, and v likely not bother anybody.

If they were rather younger it'd be a different matter.

I can't say I blame the older relatives for treating themselves to business class! Comfort becomes a good deal more important when you're getting on a bit..

Can't say I blame the older relatives for treating themselves to business class!

The adults deserve a bit of luxury by virtue of being adults

Jeez....there's some adults out there that don't deserve the title. What a stupid remark.

I can't get stressed out about this.

At 13 my DC travelled unaccompanied on short haul flights I'm sure they could cope in economy for a few hours - it's hardly abuse!

My thoughts exactly, cat

There are no health issues for Granny or Auntie, they just don’t do Economy on a flight over 4/5 hours. And yes l can imagine they will be hitting the champagne. 😂
I think l tend to agree that it’s ok having read people’s comments on the kids just zoning out anyway, l think as l am a bit of a rubbish nervous flyer l would be more relaxed having everyone sitting with me. That’s not to say it wouldn’t be ok for other people.