Is business class worth it with two toddlers ?

[muaa]

Would it make the journey better ? My DH absolutely refuses do go long haul with our 1 and 3 year olds.

Would flying business actually make it any easier ? The one year old would still be on one of our laps. The three year old would their own seat etc.

Has anyone done this ? It's so much more expensive and I don't want to do it, unless it will make a considerable difference.

I fly with business class any longer than 7/8 hours with my kids. I have done Asia with my then 8 month old and 4 yo in business class and it worked great. I have done 2 more times, yeah I know it is a lot but if you can afford it, it makes a big difference if you have to travel 13 hours like us seeing our family.

How much does your 1 year old weigh? Most airplanes will have 2-4 bassinets on board, which makes all the difference. I don't think they have bassinets in Business Class. I recently took my then- 14 month old to Australia and honestly I wouldn't have coped without a bassinet.

Regarding other passengers. My daughter didn't kick off or cry the entire way there - 7 hours.

She actually got our room upgraded to the second best in the hotel because she was so lovely in the hotel after being awake for 15 hours as well..... on the way home she did have a cry, I apologised for her and someone came up to me and said no one can hear, we've all got our headphones on she's fine..

Also In the lounge this poor couple ended up being surrounded by kids. When I said I'm sorry you've ended up in a crèche they said it's lovely to be with children.

I was really really shocked at people's positive attitudes

@Mumtobabyhavoc

The thing is- I didn't ask - is it unreasonable to take two kids on a BC flight. It wasn't about that, I don't care about that. For me it's the same as taking them on an economy flight. My kids possibly annoying others, doesn't stop me from getting on a plane, full stop.

I will try to calm tnem etc, but it just wouldn't stop me from taking a flight. I don't care that it might bother someone. It's part of life. I'll do my best for my kids / for myself / for others, to calm them. But crying kids, comes with getting on a flight. So if people really hate it, they can stay home.

Sorry but you think that people in economy don't deserve a relaxing flight but people in business class do?

They pay extra money for extra space and better food / drinks. They still get that if they're stuck next to a toddler and while I'm sure they wouldn't be happy, neither would someone in economy.

Also how bloody patronising a) assuming someone who wants a more comfortable journey with a toddler 'can't handle them' and b) that someone should have to shell out significantly more money so as not to disturb the poor delicate souls in business class

My DP works in the flight industry so has booked myself and my toddler into business class for a long haul flight to visit family soon. We'll enjoy it, and if there's miserable sods like you on the plane then even better 😉

This thread reminds me of the time we used a large amount of airline points to fly back First Class from the US (a family treat never to be repeated).
The look on my face as I got to my flatbed seat opposite a couple with a baby AND A DOG must have been something to behold.

I don't think whether it is economy or business class it would make any difference.

Unless it is to visit relatives who could not come to visit you for whatever reason, I think you should consider whether to travel long-haul with young children.

@lafado humour me with your big brain and tell me exactly what I haven’t read regarding the OP creating lots more trauma than this in their child’s life

We flew long haul with our 2 at this age at least x2 a year in economy. It was fine.

I used to do Holiday nanny jobs. One of those was to help a mother on a long haul flight to Australia with her two young children, a young baby and a 2 year old. We flew business class and it was absolutely fine. I had the baby while the mother had the toddler. The only downside was every time the man sitting beside me moved out of his chair the toddler decided to visit. The man was very patient with him. If I could afford it I would certainly go business class long haul.

I agree.
i've seen on the news etc dome people having absolute meltdowns due to a crying baby/child. I'm so shocked by it. Again, I always have ear plugs, headset, whatever to block out noise. I've though to take a bunch of extra earplugs to give to neighbours on flights if necessary, but flight should offer them to passengers as a rule and it could make things a lot calmer.

The only thing I'd be concerned about is not being able to put my arm around my dc in a seat beside me during the flight. I'm unsure how they's do seated alone.

Also it won’t be a nightmare. I’ve flown business loads with work and regularly see children. They’ve never really bothered me. They have plenty of space and endless tv shows/games so they are usually asleep or entertained. Generally it has been over entitled middle aged men who have been disruptive demanding the Earth from the poor cabin crew and if not them people who have booked business as a special treat and want to “make the most” of it so get wasted and behave like idiots. I’ve entertained the baby of the person next to me for long enough for them to eat and go to the loo on two occasions I can think of over past 5 years. Prior to flying with kids there I would have imagined it would be a pain but actually it was fine. Still it would be nice to be considering that if they are not able to manage a long flight it’s maybe a poor plan to take them regardless of which class you fly

I’ve often wondered this. My husband is the same and will only fly long haul in business, I’m expecting our first and I’m already worried about travelling in business with a baby and above. I’m already getting social anxiety at thought of trying to control a child in an area where adults are relaxing /working

Nonsense

Gosh my poor child @lafado I can’t believe how traumatising and upsetting her getting new toys and playing with them, reading a book on my knee and then sleeping through a 6 hour flight cuddled in my lap was on our last holiday. Then all the days she enjoyed in the pool and having both parents undivided attention. Must start saving for her therapy 🙄

The whole ‘but what if one person has been saving their whole flight to take one business class flight’ argument is so weak. Let’s give these people enough credit to say they surely realise they’re not chartering a private jet and at the end of the day realise they’re still going to be in an enclosed place with other people, and they don’t get to choose who. They could just as likely be say near obnoxious drunks, or someone on loud business phone calls if it’s one of those planes that gets the internet. It is business class after all? If people want to treat themselves to peace and quiet there are better ways of doing it with nice hotels, and if they want to travel in style, orient express?

I typically fly business or first and I don’t get the “oh no don’t do it, think of the others’ brigade.

I’m wondering how many of them fly business + vs. not liking the thought of the OP (with kids ) in that seating class. Kind of the crabs in a barrel sort of thing (If I can’t afford it nobody should get to do it).

Like anything else @muaa it comes down to simple life rules. If you can afford it and want it, then do it. Just don’t be an ass while doing it. (Not that I have reason to believe you would be 🙂)

Go for it Op. if you are going to psychological damage your children you may as well do it in style.

Oh forgot to mention the trauma thing is just bizarre and should be ignored along with the “oh do it just to make those rich people suffer” misery cows.

Honestly don’t stress. There will be no more people grumpy about kids in business than there are in economy because there will be a good portion of them that are parents/grandparent & who totally get that sometimes it’s hard for kids travelling. You’ll have loads of space to share a business seat with a baby and you should both be able to sleep.

Bit selfish on the other passengers who have paid a lot of money to fly business to have their flight interrupted by two screaming bored toddlers.

This reply is everything. Traumatising AND cruel. A holiday. I love it.

Oh my god they just get better and better with each post.

Last time I flew Virgin Upper there were 4 adults and 7 children. No screaming or fuss, the two sets of parents were perfectly able to control their offspring.

I haven't experienced bored screaming toddlers on a bc flight, not saying it couldn't happen but the increased space and ease of sleeping go a long way to keep them calm.
Fellow travelers are less likely to notice them.
Only travelers who really stick in my mind were a bunch of very drunk golfers flying back from Scotland to the USA one flight.