Flying business class with baby

[Crumpets]

On Sunday I am flying to Hawaii (via v. long stopover in LA) with 3 month old. My DH has booked me into business class as a softener (the holiday is for his benefit as he is windsurfing freak) but himself and our friends into economy. I am breastfeeding, we have booked a sky cot and I have found advice on here but none about flying business class. Am scared the business people will hate me if DS cries. Anyone done it, any advice? Also do you think we have a good case for upgrade of DH? If so, any tips on how to achieve this? Help! I know it sounds lovely but I think I'd rather be with the others in economy.

I fly business class for work and there's often a small child or baby in the bc cabin, as firms relocating staff and their families often send them bc. No-one will hate you. You will be able to stretch out, which is what makes the big difference in bc, and you will be so kindly looked after by the staff. Enjoy it!
I kind of doubt your DH will get an upgrade though - it depends on how full they are. But there is no harm in asking.

Firstly I wouldn't worry about having the baby in business class - I've done it before.
I'd imagine it would be quite lonely though if you're there on your own.
I think you should share the Business Class seat, but leave the baby in economy: ie one of you looks after baby in economy while the other rests / relaxes in business class, and then swap (well actually if it was me I'd leave the baby and DH in economy for the duration of the flight and make the most of the business class seat - after all if your DH is off windsurfing all the time you're going to get little or no time to relax once you're there)

Nobody is going to give you a hard time. Also don't stress about the baby. When my DD was that little we flew long haul alot and there was hardly ever a peep out of her.

Which airline(s) are you flying with?

Typically where there are 2 business class cabin they will have one where they put familes. They probably won't put anyone directly beside you, so there is theoretically a chance of having that spare seat for Dh. Unfortunately it is a fairly common trick (pay premium for one person and not the other) that many airlines actually stamp doen on upgrades, but as you have a baby you may find that the cabin crew are on your side.

Your baby will probably sleep most of the time. Plus the hostesses have more time on their hands to dote over the baby!

I fly business regularly and their often babies there. No one bats an eyelid - they can always use the posh headphones if they are bothered.

I would share the childcare though!

Oh good, I am worried about being lonely but I can always swap with one of the others I guess if I need some company. Dreading the flight but am looking forward to getting my DS to the warm weather as he loves being naked so much.

We're flying United Airlines which is a worry as i've read some bad review of them on here but I think there's no choice to Hawaii (that's what DH pretended anyway).

The 1st time we went to Hawaii we flew United but the 2nd time was Air NZ but that was part of a round the world trip

The 1st time we flew with DS we were UPGRADED to buisness class

You can't possibly be as annoying as an awful woman who was in business class with us when we went to Aussie

She had a 7 year old DS with her and she insisted on talking in a very very loud voice to him and her DH all the way through the flight. She kept telling everyone {in the top floor cabn} how much she had paid for the tickets and how lucky they were

Enjoy the flight

Business class is deffo brill

I just think the toilets should be bigger for business and 1st class passengers

I guess if you can get upgraded with a baby they can't be totally against it. Is it even possible to change a nappy in an aircraft toilet? (see what a novice I am...)

DH did but I am rather larger iyswim than him so let him do it

There is a shelf thing that comes down

But the smaller the baby the better ie will take up less room on the shelf thing

Lucky DS is a bit of a midget then!

I am sure you will enjoy it

Which island are you going to?

Maui.

DEFFO BRILL

You will have a wonderful time

I know you are breastfeeding but they do make deffo brill cocktails there

Ask for non acholic ones

Have to admit that am not keeping teatotal despite breastfeeding. Thanks so much for all your positive comments. Feeling calm and a bit more excited (if you can do both).

I will come with you as a nanny

I have 6 years nanny experience and references and have DS {who is now 11} and being a childminder {for 8 years}

I am free on sunday for 10 days cos we are off to Canada - but I could get a flight from Maui back to Toronto and meet DH and DS at airport

I could also be a chauffer cos I am very experienced on driving on other side of road

Oh, sorry - had to go off to supper in London so missed end of message. We are actually taking my sister as a nanny and so that I have some company while the boys are messing about on the sea. We are planning to trick the boys into babysitting while we go to a spa! Thanks for the offer though.

Oke doke

Don't worry about your child being in business class - business people tend not to fly on Saturdays anyway. My son's been in Club World on BA in the past and no-one took a blind bit of notice of him.

Hmmm, as for any potential upgrade that may be a bit more tricky. You can only but ask but they may well refuse. You may not get an upgrade for free either.

The only other airlines I can think of that fly to Maui from LAX apart from United are Aloha, Hawaiian and American.

What I would suggest you do ahead of time is to be fully conversant with where you need to go once you have landed at LAX. The last thing you need is to try to work out where the United domestic terminal (Hawaii is classed as a domestic route) is when you are there.

Also bear in mind that all departures are located on the upper level; you will arrive on the lower level.

Hope as well you've left plenty of time before catching the flight to Maui - you would need around a 2 hour transfer gap to be safe methinks.

Also ensure that all the forms you need for immigration and customs are completed well ahead of time - you do NOT want to stand in line at LAX completing the things. You will need to complete one customs form and three visa waiver forms (a parent will need to complete and sign one for your son).

You will also need to complete a form on the plane to Hawaii (this is collected on the plane before arriving into Maui). Its a combination of both a customs form and survey. This form is compulsory, not optional.

Love Maui loads, have a fab time!!.

United International flights tend to arrive into Terminal 6. Some domestic flights do fly out of there too but also terminals 7 and 8.

Thank you so much for all your advice. Mumsnet is amazing. Feeling much more positive. Now all I have to do is get my head around the packing... !