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

[Flymeinbusiness]

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)

Do you feel terrible enough to suggest to dh that you both sit in economy so the dc and grandparents can be together in business?

Expect not..

And anyway I suspect you may not be allowed to swap seats…

There’s no way I’d bump my children down to economy to give VIP treatment to my inlaws. They’ve added themselves on to your trip. They’ll be fine in economy like the vast majority of the travellers on the plane.

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!;)

No, you don't leave your children unattended on an aeroplane 🙄

Sounds a good compromise OP 🙂

Hi OP
Firstly, check the flights are transferable. Secondly, check the airline guidance. Some are considered unaccompanied if travelling in a different class to their parents. Not all airlines take unaccompanied and if they do, it’s usually an additional charge (it’s $150 on delta for instance)

Oh. Most airlines don’t let you swap of visit business from economy. Some are really strict

You can’t swap in and out of business class, it’s not allowed.

I flew overseas as an unaccompanied minor at that age, with no problems. My parents weren't even on the aircraft let alone a cabin's length away.
What exactly are you worried about? Can they not use the entertainment system, sleep, eat, read, talk among themselves?

Put the kids in economy, let your in-laws enjoy an adult treat and relax.

I cannot believe posters saying you are kind to consider it!
Kind is giving up YOUR OWN seats to swap with both grandparents. Not your kids.

This is the only option which means kids not alone and grandparents get comfy seats.

yes, please don't do this. Don't create commotion for people who paid for business class seats including the quiet and privacy it affords.

Why? what on earth do people think is going to happen 100 feet away?? There will be flight attendants, and if you buy the inflight WiFi or whatever is being sold these days, they can even text you from their phones. It's unlikely the plane will crash or experience extreme turbulence. What is the problem?

It's not as though the kids are 4 and 5. The're 10 and 11!

No way would I make the children sit in economy on their own.

Have you had children that age?

Why do 70 year olds have to be moved to business class? I'm sure they'll be OK in economy.

This!

Plus if there is any kind of emergency, you need to be near to your DCs. If your DH wants to offer up his seat to one of his parents, he can do that - they could take turns and each of his parents have 4hrs each in business class, but no way would I be separated from my kids like that whilst flying (not at your ages).

No, but I've been that age and flown unaccompanied transatlantic and from S. America to the US mutliple times, at that age. (We lived overseas due to my father's line of work). And we didn't have in-flight entertainment systems, smartphones and all the other amenities. One paperback book and a small notebook & pen to tide me over for 9 hours.

Perhaps we were just more competent and resourceful than today's 10-year-olds, who knows. But it's hardly a dangerous environment.

The idea that children would get a luxury experience while their elders were cramped back in economy on the same plane is just beyond the pale.

And OP, please don't plan on playing musical seats, disrupting the passengers around you in both cabins. It's tacky and probably not allowed. Can your children really not entertain themselves and nap, at that age?

What could happen?

some examples

they get air sick and vomit
they bicker and fall out
they sit next to an adult who behaves inappropriately
they get hungry and need to purchase a snack - debit card needed

Economy isn't the end of the world. Your in laws chose it. They could dress smartly and politely ask about the possibility fo an upgrade. But I wouldn't want children in a separate part of the plane from me. What if they get air sick, or scared if there is turbulence. Mid to late teens, maybe, but no younger.

As was pointed out before, your children have a 'child under 12' BC ticket whether that be through cash or miles/points. Therefore surely an adult (higher cost ticket) wouldn't be able to just use the child's cheaper ticket. Be prepared for no swapping around being allowed by the Cabin Crew as per most airlines policies.

Oh, FFS.

Provide them with snacks ahead of time.
The odds of getting sick and/or being molested by an airborn perv are extremely low.
If they are prone to bickering and falling out in public, they shouldn't be in public. The parents should be ashamed that they can't be trusted to behave properly on an aircraft.

What might happen…

DC fight and argue
DC get upset and can’t get to their parents
DC mess about and disturb other passengers
Random adult starts telling them off and they spend eight hours scared / uncomfortable.
Random adult makes them feel uncomfortable in any way at all and they can’t get to parents.
They’re air sick,
They’re scared.
They just want their parents.

They’re still quite young. Flying unaccompanied minor is a different thing as airline staff take responsibility.
For eight hours they wouldn’t be able to get to their parents as you can’t just walk into business class.

Oh ffs yourself. They’re kids. Don’t be stupid.

Just leave your plans as they already are

If your dh doesn't want pil to go economy then he can either sit with one dc on the way out and the other on the way back or pay for pil upgrade to business class