Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Pinkfluff76 · 30/06/2023 11:46

Wtaf! Is this for real?! Firstly you can’t just swap seats!! It doesn’t work like that. Even if you wanted to you can’t just get on the plane and tell the air hostess your kids and parents are swapping!! Holy smoke. Secondly you’re all crazy. It’s totally unreasonable to leave kids that young on their own for such a long flight for safety reasons. Not only in the case of an emergency but they could be seated next to a paedophile or some other crazy person. And secondly why should other grown up be next to them for so long, any decent person would feel responsible to look out for them which isn’t their job!

MagicFarawayTea · 30/06/2023 14:33

Well said!

T1Dmama · 30/06/2023 14:34

No way should you leave your children in economy! Your PIL are more than capable of sitting in economy and enjoying each others com play… they are certainly more capable of being left alone than 2 children! I’m surprised that you’re even allowed to ditch kids in economy and sit up front without them… disgusting

T1Dmama · 30/06/2023 14:36

Pinkfluff76 · 30/06/2023 11:46

Wtaf! Is this for real?! Firstly you can’t just swap seats!! It doesn’t work like that. Even if you wanted to you can’t just get on the plane and tell the air hostess your kids and parents are swapping!! Holy smoke. Secondly you’re all crazy. It’s totally unreasonable to leave kids that young on their own for such a long flight for safety reasons. Not only in the case of an emergency but they could be seated next to a paedophile or some other crazy person. And secondly why should other grown up be next to them for so long, any decent person would feel responsible to look out for them which isn’t their job!

100% this.
mits disgraceful that you’re husband is even considering it…. Or that your parents in law would even expect them to give up their seats and sit alone!
10 and 11…. Not even at seniors!
bat shit crazy springs to mind.
I’d be complaining if i was seated next to two unaccompanied children!

T1Dmama · 30/06/2023 14:40

Also if your husband thinks his parents NEED to sit in business then maybe HE should give up his seat rather than hook the kids from theirs!! Maybe the grandparents and your kids can sit in business and you and your husband sit in economy together! Or just leave leave the in laws in economy which I’m sure they’re perfectly happy doing, or they would’ve booked business in the first place.

Flippingnora100 · 30/06/2023 21:56

It's v kind of you to give PIL business class seats. If you want to do that, 1 parent and 1 kid flies business on the way and the other parent and other kid flies business on the way back.

Or leave the grandparents in economy.

Our plane got hit by lightening in a big storm once and my son was puking from all the turbulence. We were across the aisle from our kids and I couldn't really do anything to help apart from pass sick bags as I couldn't get up. I don't think it's a good idea to sit away from your kids.

Flippingnora100 · 30/06/2023 22:06

PS I flew unaccompanied every year from the age of 5 and I was OK, but it was short-haul. I don't think it's right to just leave your kids in economy alone in case they need you.

Flippingnora100 · 30/06/2023 22:09

PPS I do remember once as an unaccompanied minor that I couldn't cut my chicken. I asked the older boy sitting next to me for help and he said no, because he had a headache. I then just sat there quietly crying. In retrospect, not being able to eat airline food probably wasn't that great a loss!

xxx82 · 30/06/2023 23:12

I wouldn’t leave your children alone on a plane. so many adults seem to lose any patience or manners when they fly.

if there was turbulence or an emergency landing for any reason, you wouldn’t be able to get to your children to leave the plane together.

and aside from that, your children are your responsibility. And if you could only afford 2 business class seats with your miles, would you have booked them for you and your husband and left your children in economy.

your parents-in-law are grown adults. They decided the cost wasn’t worth it to upgrade, knowing where you were sitting.

As a bit of a compromise - why don’t you all switch seats throughout the flight. So you and your husband could have some time alone in economy (not to be sniffed at!) while grandparents sit in business class with the kids.

then you and one child could switch with the grandparents. And next your husband and the other child.

essentially just play a bit of a seat swap game (if the airline will let you) and then everyone gets some time in business class.

but if that’s not an option, then you don’t need to feel bad about a thing. And prioritise being close to your children while you are in the air instead of worrying about other adults who aren’t your responsibility

meatbaseddessert · 30/06/2023 23:57

xxx82 · 30/06/2023 23:12

I wouldn’t leave your children alone on a plane. so many adults seem to lose any patience or manners when they fly.

if there was turbulence or an emergency landing for any reason, you wouldn’t be able to get to your children to leave the plane together.

and aside from that, your children are your responsibility. And if you could only afford 2 business class seats with your miles, would you have booked them for you and your husband and left your children in economy.

your parents-in-law are grown adults. They decided the cost wasn’t worth it to upgrade, knowing where you were sitting.

As a bit of a compromise - why don’t you all switch seats throughout the flight. So you and your husband could have some time alone in economy (not to be sniffed at!) while grandparents sit in business class with the kids.

then you and one child could switch with the grandparents. And next your husband and the other child.

essentially just play a bit of a seat swap game (if the airline will let you) and then everyone gets some time in business class.

but if that’s not an option, then you don’t need to feel bad about a thing. And prioritise being close to your children while you are in the air instead of worrying about other adults who aren’t your responsibility

You cannot swap Mid flight.

xxx82 · 01/07/2023 02:18

you are definitely not being overprotective. You are being a responsible parent.

and the fact the PIL are flying back themselves on a different flight just removes any argument that they need you to give them your seats. Because no one will do that for them on the return flight!

enjoy your flight with your husband and children and your time on holiday with your PIL :)

LT1982 · 01/07/2023 05:32

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.

Exactly this

T1Dmama · 02/07/2023 00:00

Flymeinbusiness · 27/06/2023 22:39

Thank you so much for all the comments! Lots to consider but I think the "What if something happens?" angle has made me feel like I need to stick to my guns and have at least one adult with a DC.. hopefully they won't mind one swap! We'll
ask first!
For context- we are pretty savvy with our miles credit cards and booking well in advance so have managed this a few times but my in-laws have never flown business and it'll be a huge treat for them.. plus - I think I'd feel uncomfortable sitting in a nice seat while the in-laws didn't especially as I've done it before- FIL has a bit of a tricky back too...They never travel more than 2 hours away and haven't left the UK for 3 years as they were nervous because of covid.. The way out is a day flight so I don't really mind being in economy with just 1 DC watching films...and I'd make DH swap half way - perhaps with the other DC so they both get a turn..
We aren't flying back with PIL so I'll enjoy my comfy seat on the way back.

PS: I definitely don't present a show with Phil but do love a good house programme!;)

*hopefully they won't mind one swap! We'll ask first! *

It’s not one swap though is it? It’s two adults swapping with an adult and child… and since you’ve stated the child’s seats cost less but still expensive … then I’d say if you’re swapping a DC for a PIL you’ll have to pay the difference too to make it an adult in business.

Brighteyes2368 · 03/07/2023 03:25

I don't understand why the PILs can't just sit in the seats they booked. I need more context.

Brighteyes2368 · 03/07/2023 03:44

Brighteyes2368 · 03/07/2023 03:25

I don't understand why the PILs can't just sit in the seats they booked. I need more context.

I read OP's additional information. PILs NEED TO STAY IN ECONOMY!

You can't change seats mid-flight, especially from different sections of the plane. PILs should've booked business if they wanted it.

They're vacationing for longer than you are but couldn't afford business? In other words, they CHOSE a longer vacation instead of having more comfortable seats.

Stop worrying about adults who CHOSE to be in the situation they're in.

IAmAnIdiot123 · 03/07/2023 03:49

Why on earth would you move the kids because the grandparents booked economy? Just let them sit in the seats they chose and then all have a nice holiday together when you land.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page