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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

331 replies

RubyViolet · 27/07/2019 13:48

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.

OP posts:
PKPopsy · 27/07/2019 14:35

My friend has always travelled in business class with her son when returning to the US. Her husband could afford it. They divorced last year and her son, who is now 18, said to her: I understand that we now have to watch what we spend, but I will never ever go economy class, just so you know. She is a million miles from affording business now, but he is used to it. My opinion is that educating your kids to being entitled to the best things in life at all occasions is unfair to them and poor parenting that will bite you on the nose at some point.

So good for this guy, when the kids feel that yearning to be in business class it will encourage them to get great jobs to afford it.

cdtaylornats · 27/07/2019 14:35

The typical 12 to 14 year old will love being unbothered, left to watch TV/Films, play games and have people who will bring then snacks & drinks on demand.

schnubbins · 27/07/2019 14:36

What is wrong with it? They are going on holidays to the U.S , so luckier than a lot of other kids their age.At 12 and 14 also old enough to be alone in economy.My son flew alone to California aged 14 and survived to tell the tale.He wasn't an unaccompanied minor either .He travelled alone from start to finish.

womaninthedark · 27/07/2019 14:37

It's bollocks. They're either in your family, or they're not. If they are, they sit with you. If you put them somewhere else, you've shown them how much, or how little, they mean to you. If father was paying economy, mother should choose economy or pay the upgrade.

The only exception I would make is for older children - 14-17 - who are practising travelling alone. Where the 'alone' aspect is for their benefit, not to save money for the parents.

TwistyTop · 27/07/2019 14:39

Do you really think a 12 and 14 yr old are going to be "lively"? Do they have SN or something? At that age on flights by myself I would watch tv shows on the IFES for a bit and then have a sleep.

I'm sure the kids will be absolutely fine. However, to actually answer your question - yeah, it's a dick move. Very harsh. There is clearly a hell of a lot of money flying around if they can afford several business class tickets. Seems very mean to make the kids travel in economy. And if they want to instill certain values in their kids then the thing to do would be to travel in economy with them... practice what you preach.

swingofthings · 27/07/2019 14:40

My kids flew on their own at 12 and 15 with BA when the age limit was 12. They were well behaved kids who were much less trouble than a number of adults. I expect people were happy to have my kids next to them rather than one of those hen do group.

Original poster
RubyViolet · 27/07/2019 14:40

@PKPopsy that’s a really good point.
Your friends’ 18 year old better get busy earning some money if he wants the First Class life ! His poor Mum, how entitled is that kid !

OP posts:
Timeless19 · 27/07/2019 14:44

My parents did this with me and my sister at that sort of age and we loved it. Used to pretend we were sooooo grownup travelling on our own, that was until one of our parents would come back to check on us and ruin it!

Kids that age are fine sitting together in economy, if it was one kid on their own that might be a bit harsh!

fancynancyclancy · 27/07/2019 14:44

My parents often went on holiday without me, didn’t realise it was because they didn’t love me!

ErrolTheDragon · 27/07/2019 14:46

her son, who is now 18, said to her: I understand that we now have to watch what we spend, but I will never ever go economy class, just so you know.

I infer he's in the US ... so, he's going to have a choice of staycations, travelling by greyhound bus or be paying for his own flight I guess. Grin

WindsweptEgret · 27/07/2019 14:47

Why the hell would a 12 and 14 yr old be very lively and of any disturbance to other passengers? Would they not just watch TV and play games/sleep/eat like everyone else?
Exactly! Mine behaved no differently to an adult passenger unaccompanied at 9 years old.

Dapplegrey · 27/07/2019 14:47

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) .

There was a thread about parents in club and their children in economy a few years ago.
It’s not something I’d ever given any thought to as unfortunately business class isn’t an option for us with or without children but it seemed reasonable enough.
However on the previous thread someone pointed that if there was really bad turbulence or an emergency of some sort most parents’ first instinct would be to be with their children to comfort and reassure them but once the seatbelts signs flash up then no one would be allowed to leave their seats in either class.
After I read that I changed my mind!

GrapefruitGin · 27/07/2019 14:50

I wouldn’t want to be seated apart - if there were an emergency I would want to make sure they evacuate safely

fancynancyclancy · 27/07/2019 14:51

Dapplegrey I see that side but then I have 2 siblings so we often didn’t sit next to parents anyway & we have travelled a number of times with relatives where we have been scattered all over the plane only sitting with 1 sibling or cousin (out of choice).

EileenAlanna · 27/07/2019 14:53

I don't see anything wrong with the father paying economy class for his DC. They've no need of the things that adults get from business class - more leg room, up market food & alcohol etc so it's not necessity-driven for them.
Have the DC flown to holiday with their father before & if they did were they unaccompanied? I'm assuming that the granny & aunt are staying on the West Coast too for a holiday, not just getting on the next plane back, as children that age don't actually need an accompanying adult to fly.
They may have overly muddled in their minds their holiday which includes b/c flights with the DC visiting their father which includes e/c flights. If they really feel sitting in a separate section of the plane is an issue for them then they could pay to have the kids upgraded. If they do it's entirely up to them & shouldn't be raised as an issue in any way as the father hasn't done anything wrong or remarkable.

mumwon · 27/07/2019 14:59

its not dc of this age that's a problem its usually not so dc over the age of 18!

Rumblejungle · 27/07/2019 15:04

I am shocked by people thinking this is ok! I think that is awful behaviour by any parents.

I don’t see an issue with supervision or children of that age needing to be supervised - they are quite capable of behaving themselves. However, I can’t imagine saying to DC that I am worth spending the money on for a business class ticket, but you are not worth it so you get to sit in the cheap seats!

It’s like taking the family out to dinner and adults get to choose an expensive desert but the children aren’t allowed to and have to share a winegum. Either everyone goes in business or everyone goes in economy.

SoupDragon · 27/07/2019 15:07

It’s like taking the family out to dinner and adults get to choose an expensive desert but the children aren’t allowed to and have to share a winegum.

It really isn't.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 27/07/2019 15:07

Adults don’t need upmarket food or alcohol either. Are Granny and Aunty 6ft+ so desperate for extra leg room? It’s what they want, not necessity.

I’d not travel without being near my kids. I treat everyone the same.

SoupDragon · 27/07/2019 15:07

The hyperbole is ridiculous.

Witchend · 27/07/2019 15:07

Maybe the 12/14yo rather like not being watched by 3 adults. I know I'd have preferred that at that age.

SoupDragon · 27/07/2019 15:09

Are Granny and Aunty 6ft+ so desperate for extra leg room?

Why do they need to be 6ft? I'm 5'7" and find economy horribly cramped with my knees stuck against the seat in front.

Windbeneathmybingowings · 27/07/2019 15:11

Rumblejungle Or going to the theatre. You got restricted view and I’m in the stalls Grin enjoy the show kids! Bye! You’re only kids, you won’t even notice.

fancynancyclancy · 27/07/2019 15:11

It’s like taking the family out to dinner and adults get to choose an expensive desert but the children aren’t allowed to and have to share a winegum

🤦🏼‍♀️

TSSDNCOP · 27/07/2019 15:12

I’m 5’9 but I’ve got a 34.5 inside leg and have restless legs. Econo seats are grindingly uncomfortable. As I’ve said, I’m not sure I’d actually do this, but I do flirt with the notion at about the 5 hour mark on long haul flights.