To take children business class

[CrabSnake]

We're flying long haul in a few months (12 hours) and the thought of doing that with my 2 year old and 4 month old in economy is really not appealing! I know people don't like kids on planes anyway and even more so if they've paid lots of money for their seat. But we'll have paid lots of money too so is it really that awful to take them business class?

Out of interest, what is the approximate price difference?

Private then or accept everyone is entitled to be in first or business if they can pay.

I took my kids business class and it was amazing. Agree with cation on flight configurations though - some are just 1 on the window seat - we’ve booked those without thinking before and it was a bit of a pain (first world problem I know)

Caution, not cation! I have often seen lots of kids in business

Absolutely no issue but do make sure they have their own points collections accounts otherwise you tend to lose out on points...

Some airlines do have restrictions on business and first class (or they did pre covid) in terms of ages so you may want to look into that when you book.

Taken ours in business and first quite a few times. The over-excited adults hitting the free booze are far worse than any kids I have ever seen!

We have been in first class when people brought their children. I was surprised at first but those children were clearly very used to travel and behaved fantastically for the whole long haul flight.

We are travelling in business class with our 3 year old tomorrow, only to Europe so not long haul. We’ve paid for her ticket the same as any one else so I don’t see the issue 🤷🏼‍♀️

Most companies pay for business for ex pat workers so there will always be kids in business. We’ve done it many times with our 2-6 year old. We had comments twice, once on Cathay and once on BA. On Cathay it was an older couple flying back from Aus and they kicked up a fuss when they saw us boarding and were moved. My DS is impeccably behaved as he is used to flying overnight regularly and they had the cheek to compliment me on his behaviour when leaving. I laughed and said, “he flies this route in business often.” Another time on BA, a lovely Spanish gentleman moved so my DS and I could be closer together and he and another two guys spent ages playing with DS and telling me how much they missed their kids. Have a lovely holiday. If people are that fussy, they should fly private.

Is it just you with two children? Presumably in two seats between the three of you? And both still in nappies? If so then I think business is a pretty sensible move. Far more chance of them sleeping.

Yes - do it. It’s 100 x easier flying business (or first) with children! Who cares what anyone thinks; your money to buy tickets is just as valid as their, children or no children

I would do it, I have flown business with small children and it is so much more relaxing than economy.

People take kids in business and first all the time. It’s fine. Just keep them occupied as best you can.

As long as they behave and don’t disturb other passengers I think it’s fine.

Business class is still public transport. Expect to see the public. This includes children.

More often than not a majority of the other business class travellers are not there on their own coin, unlike you!

Go and enjoy the flight x

Oh another bonus, the toilets are bigger, so nappy changes, helping a toddler etc is much easier as they aren’t the size of a small wardrobe.

The toilets aren't always bigger - depends on the aircraft.

The only other thing to consider OP is will paying for business class flights mean missing out on something else that your kids will actually remember doing during the holiday?

Go for it but it's a massive expense, if you can afford it it's your choice.

@Fridafever

Other passengers want total privacy they should be in first.

You can take children in first too.

Yes but more separated than business depending on airline.

Do it, whatever makes your life travelling with LOs easier, the airlines don't care as long as they get the money for the seats. If people want privacy I'd recommend a private plane over a commercial one that is public transport. We don't ban kids from trains for the privacy of others 🤣🤣

I’ve taken DS on king and short haul business several times. Never had anyone be anything other than kind and helpful. We travelled business premier on the Eurostar earlier this week, again, the staff went out of their way to find an empty table of 4 to give us more room to spread out.

Wow all the posters who travel frequently and only experience ‘impeccably behaved’ children.
Not sure what I am doing wrong but I often have to listen to screaming, over tired children and babies being walked up and down the aisle. One particular flight a mother brought her baby plus toys and plonked him in the area by my feet which I had paid extra for so as to have more room.

Having said that there are obnoxious adults too, I do inwardly sigh if young children are near me as in my experience it’s nonsense that they sit quietly and I need to work but I would never say anything.
I didn’t take my lot flying until they were over five because ds in particular would have not been able to sit still.

If a child is going to fuss on a flight, they will do it regardless of whether they are in Economy, business or first class but you will likely be more comfortable and have more space to calm them down in business or first. Don't worry about other people and you know why? Because you will always find idiotic people sitting in economy, business and first class!

And this is a parenting site so obviously replies will generally favour the children which is to be expected.

My instant reaction was - depending on how they’re likely to behave - YABU. But thinking about it, I can’t identify actually anything that would make taking kids in business worse than economy. The most annoying thing (some) kids tend to do on flights is kicking and pummelling your seat. Not an issue outside economy! Also agree with the noise cancelling headphones comment. A must for long flights regardless of which cabin you’re in.

Also, if a child’s behaviour could spoil someone’s flight in business, it’s still going to spoil a flight that someone shelled out the best part of £1000 or more for in economy.

In any case, sounds like you’re more worried about other passengers judging than what your kids are actually going to do. Which you obviously shouldn’t. If it helps on that front, I am childfree and prefer adult-only spaces like hotels, and cannot remember (save for a bit of the aforementioned pummelling) having any flight negatively impacted by children. Adults on the other hand...

If you can afford it, why not?

For the sake of other passengers I’d hope that your dcs are not the type to cry or wail most or all of the time, but then this applies in economy, too, and even more so.

Relatives of dh who always flew business or first, would often put the 3 kids down the back - with the nanny!