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)

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but if you paid less than the full price of an adult fare for your children, then allowing PIL to swap to their seats is rather cheeky. I'd see it as you trying to get the adult seats for cheap. (Though I dont know if it worked out cheaper to buy the business class seats with the airmiles)

Your DC need to be with you in business class in their seats that you have paid for (you have still paid for them, even if they were bought with miles). Your PIL can sit in their own seats in economy. There is no way you should be swapping seats.

No way would I offer to swap seats.

1. it's not your responsibility to upgrade your ILs who invited themselves
2. a 10 and 11 year old shouldn't sit alone, with no supervising adults, for a longhaul flight.

^^ This

Economy is completely standard and what most people travel in - yes, even over 70s! If you were all in Economy you wouldn't give this a second thought.

I am on the fence on this. The in-laws (especially at their age) are going to get a lot more benefit out of the business class seats than the kids are - the space, the food, the wine etc. I always think business class is a bit of a waste on kids who are usually just as happy in coach.

The children are 10 and 11 - perfectly able to plug into the in seat entertainment (watch whatever they want) and while away the flight in economy. They don't need as much space. If they are sat together then they have each other. I would visit them in their seats in economy from time to time (which is allowed - just not the other way around). You can visit them before take off and show them where the button is to call the attendant if they have any problems.

Do the kids know they are in business? If yes, it may be hard sell now to move them to economy.

In expat circles this would be very common - as would be kids their age travelling alone on such flights back to schools etc.

I see the in-laws are flying back separately. You could say to the kids that if they behave impeccably in economy on the way out then they can travel business on the way back.

The kids’ business class return flights will already be booked, they’ll be flying back BC no matter how they behave in the way out.

Exactly what I was thinking. I would be surprised if the airline allowed this. Curious as to whether or not Op is planning to make any of these changes in advance of the flight or on the day. I doubt the cabin crew will be happy with people swapping around mid-flight.

If the plan is still to have the 10 & 11yr old children in Economy, they'll be unaccompanied minors which some airlines don't allow. Those that do charge for the service. I get that the parents are on the same flight but they're in a different part of the aircraft. In the event of an emergency, an adult needs to be with them immediately. There's another thread running discussing paying for seat reservations with the rules being that an adult has to be next to the minor be that next to, across the aisle or row in front/behind. The other end of the aircraft isn't acceptable.

The ILs had the opportunity to get better seats at a lower cost months ago. Instead, they've opted for a longer holiday and cheap seats.

@ChocChipHandbag yes but do the kids know this?

Not volunteering to give up his seat is he?

In laws paid for economy because they are happy to fly economy.

Unless you want to give your kids the idea they are second class citizens then they keep their busi ess class seats.

Your husband seems like the sort that wants recognition for generosity that costs him nothing.

Crazy idea, rather than asking your kids to make sacrifices for your inlaws so you look like nice guys, why dont you and DH fly economy and let the kids and PILS fly Business?

I think DH figures as they are smaller they'll need less space (DH is tall) and that they might like the independence. ( I'm sure they would!)

I'm happy to go in economy though and the kids (well, one of them anyway) won't mind travelling with one of us in economy if they'll let us swap. If not we'll just stick to our pre-booked seating.

My mind is made up though on not leaving the DC in another cabin. Good to know that I wasn't being over protective!

Didn't expect so many comments so thank you all!

I’d be very surprised if an airline allow you and your husband/kids to keep swapping back and forth out of business and economy. I’m not even sure you can ‘give’ PIL seats to kids, you are not really supposed to sit in someone else’s seat, particularly not in a different class. You will have to pay to transfer them.

Have the kids offered to swap or was this your dh 'asking' them "you're happy to swap with the gps so they can be comfortable aren't you?"

Where on earth did you get that one of the children was 5??? 😆

Baffled.....

Try harder to be less baffled. That was a reply to a poster who said that she had travelled an an unaccompanied minor from age 5. The implication being that it. 5 year old could do it then it’s a walk in the park for the OP’s kids who are twice that age.

Your husband should be the one to swap - price he isn’t swapping his comfort for his parents you and one of your children are.

You still have the issue that two of the business class seats are for children and paid less for them accordingly. You might be in for a surprise if you try to change that whilst boarding the aircraft.

As for "My mind is made up though on not leaving the DC in another cabin", you never that choice anyway. Since they're both under 12, they would have been unaccompanied minors if your DH had his way and put both of them in economy. You have to book that in advance (if they do it at all, depends on the airline). Then you would need to pay the extra to upgrade the child business class seats to adult ones for the ILs.

Regardless, you can't compare an unaccompanied minor (of any age) to two children with no supervision whatsoever. Unaccompanied minors aren't just left to get on with it, they have flight crew supervising them the entire time and are escorted on and off the plane.

Sure. I was only clarifying for the poster who was baffled about where someone got the idea that one of OP’s kids was 5.

I still think your DH should be the one who stays in economy for the entire flight with one of his parents. The other parent can stay with you and the children in business.

The best solution would be for everyone to stay in their original seats. Your in laws can afford business class, but chose not to. They can clearly afford it if they can afford an extra week abroad meaning extra expense on hotels, transport, food, activities etc. They will be ok in economy.

Are even allowed there change seats hiw much dues it cost to amend the bookings?

Definitely this.