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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want the dc in economy while we are in business?

316 replies

Flymeinbusiness · 27/06/2023 19:30

Would be great to get others opinions...
We had some flyer miles and managed to book a much looked forward to, long haul, trip in business class for us and our 2 DC - 10 &11 in the summer holidays. Fast forward a few months and the PIL have decided to join us for the beginning part of the trip and booked economy tickets to join us. (They don't have any miles and the price a few months later for business for them both was unaffordable.)I feel terrible that my in-laws who are in their 70s will be in the back of the plane while my DH, DC and I will have big seats to ourselves. My DH thinks that both DC should take the economy seats and that they will be okay alone for 8 hours given we aren't too far away if they need us but I think one of us parents should be with 1 DC in economy instead as I don't want them alone on the flight. He thinks IBU to not let them and that I should enjoy my seat and not sit in economy. (I don't mind either although business will be a nice start to the holidays) Am I being overprotective? (Kids are good flyers generally and have done quite a few long hauls in the past)

OP posts:
Phos · 27/06/2023 19:32

Your in laws have invited themselves along. If they wanted to sit in business class with you, they should have booked that.

DontjudgeIHaveMyReasons · 27/06/2023 19:34

I wouldn't bump my kids to give my in-laws their seats. If it was a problem for them they could have chosen to spend the money.

Andante57 · 27/06/2023 19:35

There was a thread about this some years ago which became long and heated.
It had never occurred to me as sadly, flying business for us with or without children has never been an option.
However one post from the previous thread stuck with me which was should there be heavy turbulence or any sort of emergency, then it would be better to be together with the children in cast they were frightened.

maudesvagina · 27/06/2023 19:36

Don't leave your kids alone in economy.

MichelleScarn · 27/06/2023 19:36

DontjudgeIHaveMyReasons · 27/06/2023 19:34

I wouldn't bump my kids to give my in-laws their seats. If it was a problem for them they could have chosen to spend the money.

This! .

justasmalltownmum · 27/06/2023 19:37

I wouldn't move my kids.

LlynTegid · 27/06/2023 19:37

OP do you present a property show with someone called Phil?

GrettaGreen · 27/06/2023 19:38

Suggest your husband sits with one of the kids in economy and see what he says.

Hedonism · 27/06/2023 19:39

GrettaGreen · 27/06/2023 19:38

Suggest your husband sits with one of the kids in economy and see what he says.

This!

bossybloss · 27/06/2023 19:40

LlynTegid · 27/06/2023 19:37

OP do you present a property show with someone called Phil?

I am intrigued!

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 27/06/2023 19:40

You'd have to sign the DC over as unaccompanied minors.

JaukiVexnoydi · 27/06/2023 19:41

Sorry you are both bring ridiculous. Your children need to be with their parents. Your PIL are capable adults and made their own decision of their own free will to book their tickets as they have. The PIL should sit in the seats they booked. You and DH and DC sit in the seats you booked. Don't attempt to swap.

PiL will be allowed to visit you in BC if there's any spare room, and may even be selected for upgrade if it's one of those flights where there's been a mixup and you manage to let the cabin crew know that you're part of the same family.

If PIL aren't able to deal with economy for 8 hours then no one is making them come. Don't be a doormat.

Hedonism · 27/06/2023 19:42

Or suggest that you and he go in economy whilst his parents look after the DC in business class.

It's easy to be the big man and be all concerned about his parents' comfort when it doesn't put him out at all 🙄 poor kids.

Southlandssue · 27/06/2023 19:46

This is not allowed unless the children are over a certain age (I think 12 or might depend on airline) or the have to be treated as unaccompanied minors which some airlines (e.g. BA don’t do any longer)

GoldDuster · 27/06/2023 19:48

Not a chance I would leave my kids at the back of the plane while the four adults sat up front. No way. Not a chance I'd accept the plan as the grandparent either.

GOODCAT · 27/06/2023 19:48

I would put your PIL in business and either put both kids with them or as you suggest put one kid/one adult with them.

Aparecium · 27/06/2023 19:48

The dc might find it a great adventure to sit away from their parents for a while. Why not start and end the trip in the business seats you have paid for, but then the dc swap with their dgps for the rest of the time? If meals are an issue, then swap before or after the meal.

Hoppinggreen · 27/06/2023 19:49

If I had booked for my family to fly Business they would be flying Business, whoever decided to join us later

Lessonsinbiology · 27/06/2023 19:50

Your PIL will be find on economy. You need to be with your children

Takoneko · 27/06/2023 19:50

I don’t think the airline would allow this. I’d be surprised if they are willing to sit minors that far from their parents because in an emergency it compromises the safe and swift evacuation of the plane. A frantic parent desperately trying to go against the flow of people evacuating to try to get to their 10 year old in a totally different part of the plane would be a huge problem.

MelaniaT · 27/06/2023 19:51

Just stick with what you've booked.

RogersOrganismicProcess · 27/06/2023 19:51

Do the PILs have any mobility issues that would make sitting in a cramped position painful? If so I would do one adult and child in BC on the way there, and the other parent and child in BC the way back.

Holly60 · 27/06/2023 19:52

Is there any reason you think they won't be happy in economy.

I'm a mum to adult children and if I booked economy seats (which I would) it's because I'd be perfectly happy in economy.

Just leave everyone with the seats they booked!

Nowvoyager99 · 27/06/2023 19:52

No way would I sit separately from children that age!!

If DH persists, tell him he can sit in economy with whichever PIL you like least. It’s the least he can do.

SnapPop · 27/06/2023 19:53

I don't think your kids should sit alone in economy at that age. Either you and your DH take turns to go with one DC (one on the way out and one on the way back) or you leave PILs there.