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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take children business class

104 replies

CrabSnake · 20/02/2022 09:08

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?

OP posts:
Toanewstart23 · 20/02/2022 12:16

[quote PotteringAlong]@Daddydog don’t kid yourself. If you fly frequently as a family and you always fly first and business you’re rich.[/quote]
Exactly
Even if with points
The amount you have to spend to accrue the required points for first class or business is astronomical

Totalwasteofpaper · 20/02/2022 12:20

As an actual business traveller on the red eye to NYC or out to Singapore I would initially be bit 🙄

But experience taught me kids generally settle fine. (Airstaff are generally extra kind to you if you have kids too!!!)
The biggest dicks were generally entitled adults (both male and female)

MangosteenSoda · 20/02/2022 12:23

I have flown in business, premium economy and economy with my autistic DC. Keeping him calm and seated is my priority. As he gets older, I find that it’s easier to be able to block him in, so a window seat in premium economy is perfect.

I’m sure you’re DC are fine on the plane, but bear in mind how easy it is for them to get up and away for a wander in a business seat. Also check the aircraft that’s usually used for your route so you can see the configuration- it might not be the same as what you experienced previously. The last time I flew long haul I downgraded my original booking for this reason.

MangosteenSoda · 20/02/2022 12:24

*your DC

sageandbasil · 20/02/2022 12:25

I've flown BC a lot and there has been kids there before, they've been very well behaved and you didn't know they were there. I'd be very pissed off if there were screaming kids

Daddydog · 20/02/2022 12:26

@Toanewstart23

* We fly a lot - always business/first (not rich just hustle for deals) *

On what airline because in my experience- there’s no “hustling” to be had when it comes to airlines and business:first class because a) don’t want to cheapen it and b) so much demand for it

Mainly BA as I'm obsessed with getting to Gold for Life haha I have a complex system of booking flights and hotels which drives my partner mad - but it works 9 out of 10 times. Thinking of starting a blog to explain it :)
feb21 · 20/02/2022 12:31

We fly business and first with our kids regularly. There's never been an issue, in fact we're usually told how well behaved they are. I think it's the stream of free food and drink.

We hardly ever pay a cash fare to fly in business/first. We have two different BA Amex cards so earn two 2 for 1 companion vouchers a year. Then book them using airmiles. Can be a bit of a bun fight booking them, although there's usually decent availability to the east coast of the US.

It's become easier in the last year as BA now releases extra seats in business (than the original 2 per flight), although there seems fewer in first. The taxes aren't to be underestimated though.

Honeyroar · 20/02/2022 12:39

I was BA crew for over 20 years. It was very common to have children in business class. They were never any trouble, in fact usually some of the quietest, least demanding passengers! That flat bed to sleep and space to play with a few toys really made the difference.

zingally · 20/02/2022 12:43

If you can afford it - do it! I would!

WouldIwasShookspeared · 20/02/2022 12:45

Get the best seats you can afford.
Some people would chuck children in the cargo hold if they could. 🙄

Cirques · 20/02/2022 12:46

We've always flown (usually BA) Business class since ours were babies and usually 10-12 hour flights. No problems ever. I always took a bag of quiet toys, books and teethers when they were very young. I do remember one flight when my baby was about seven months and was a bit wriggly and unsettled and there was a lovely female paediatrician passenger sitting opposite who helped me to settle them. Since they've been old enough. we've often flown First for long haul and no one bats an eyelid. However, the children understood that they had to behave appropriately and be respectful of other passengers' flight experiences.

Original poster
CrabSnake · 20/02/2022 12:53

@Cirques

We've always flown (usually BA) Business class since ours were babies and usually 10-12 hour flights. No problems ever. I always took a bag of quiet toys, books and teethers when they were very young. I do remember one flight when my baby was about seven months and was a bit wriggly and unsettled and there was a lovely female paediatrician passenger sitting opposite who helped me to settle them. Since they've been old enough. we've often flown First for long haul and no one bats an eyelid. However, the children understood that they had to behave appropriately and be respectful of other passengers' flight experiences.
I did the one new activity and one new snack per hour last time with DD which worked well. I think we need to try business at least to see how much of a difference it makes. We can afford it but it's not something we'd felt the need to bother with pre-kids unless we had enough points for at least one of us.
OP posts:
TerryIsAllGold · 20/02/2022 13:00

Last time I flew Emirates business I was chatting and playing with a cute toddler who was in the bar area at the back. Turned out the adult she was with was the nanny and the parents were in first!

TheHoptimist · 20/02/2022 13:26

@itwasntaparty

Do it. Of Other passengers want total privacy they should be in first.
That’s ridiculous Lots of children in 1st as well
TheHoptimist · 20/02/2022 13:31

New BA Cw have a pod configuration and children do need to be in their own seats alone for take off and landing

Seen many a hysterical child on take off

Cirques · 20/02/2022 13:38

We switched to First as a family when we felt they were old enough to responsibly sit in the cabin as the seats are more spaced out. With BA Club you could get the middle cabin four seats which was great as we could have myself and DH on the aisle seats and the DC both stretched out sleeping in the middle. The food is a consideration too. The food in First is quite grown up whilst Club is a bit more pre-teen friendly. I would never have wanted the family split into different cabins but that's just me.

Vanderpump · 20/02/2022 13:40

I always took DS business and never had a problem

TheHoptimist · 20/02/2022 13:44

@Cirques

We switched to First as a family when we felt they were old enough to responsibly sit in the cabin as the seats are more spaced out. With BA Club you could get the middle cabin four seats which was great as we could have myself and DH on the aisle seats and the DC both stretched out sleeping in the middle. The food is a consideration too. The food in First is quite grown up whilst Club is a bit more pre-teen friendly. I would never have wanted the family split into different cabins but that's just me.
You can pre order a child’s meal in either
Fridafever · 20/02/2022 15:29

The food in First is quite grown up whilst Club is a bit more pre-teen friendly.

Are you flying an obscure airline? Generally you can order a child’s meal. I’ve also never found the food in first grown up. I’ve flown free in first dozens of times on my dad’s staff travel, starting when I was about 10 I think - there was a minimum age for staff kids.

glasslightly · 20/02/2022 15:59

We died this regilarly pre-covid and was always fine.

However, we're flying premium this summer as I've noticed a lot of business class seat configuration has become pods and I'm not comfortable with not being able to be seated where I can see and hold hands with my kids, esp in the event of turbulence so you may want to check configuration.

Cirques · 20/02/2022 17:31

@Fridafever we have mainly flown BA (preference) although also others. Yes, my DC always had BA Club pre-ordered kids meals when they were young children but when older they preferred choosing from the adult menu (usually pasta option).My son always loved the steak/beef options in First but my daughter would say that although she loved the flat beds and PJs, she preferred the food in Club. @glasslightly I agree, my DD as a child would get quite scared if there was turbulence and I would never have sat where I couldn't see her and hold her hand.

TheHoptimist · 20/02/2022 17:33

BA 1st and club are still on the same mains menu they brought in during cv19 I believe

radioactive4 · 20/02/2022 17:33

My family have been flying business since I was 2. Loads of kids in business class. It's honestly a non-issue.

Nice stealth boast though 👏🏼

MarshaBradyo · 20/02/2022 17:34

I did this to Aus and I wasn’t the only one

It was fine. Plane seemed to have a soporific effect

If they’re not screaming / crying then they aren’t any different really to other passengers

Cirques · 20/02/2022 17:35

@TheHoptimist the furthest we have been as a family is Cornwall since 2019!