Page 2 | BA business class with toddler

CraftyGin · 27/09/2021 23:00

@Blankspace4

Hmmm not sure how the rest of the cabin who’ve paid a premium to work / or for a chilled experience would take to a toddler being there.

Wankers

AnnieSnap · 27/09/2021 23:04

@AgnesNaismith

Yes, if you go for the middle ones go for the front row - that way you won’t be climbing over people to get out!

There is no climbing over now. All the Club World cabins have been upgraded. I realise that, being mumsnet, this won’t be a popular view and most won’t care, but as another poster said, those who have paid a premium to have a good space to work, or even just to relax, won’t ge thrilled to have a toddler on a long flight!

nellyburt · 27/09/2021 23:05

I flew business class with a toddler and baby a few times to Malaysia on Malaysia airlines so not BA. The looks I got when boarding were a picture, especially from those upgraded last minute. The seats were all paid for my the company so I just made sure the kids were as well behaved as possible and often had lovely conversations with other passengers who couldn’t believe we were travelling so far (30 odd hours door to door with little ones).

The same couldn’t be said for lots of expat friends who let their kids run riot in business. They were probably the reason Malaysia Airlines banned kids from the upstairs cabin. So in short, buy the tickets do your best with the kids and ignore the looks.

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:06

@gogohm

I would check to see which are suitable for a toddler as many are single units

Not true

Only in new CW which is the minority and then it is 50% single and 50% pairs .old club is 2. 2.2

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:08

There is no climbing over now. All the Club World cabins have been upgraded.

Not true I can assure you!
Why post things that are not true?
I gave flown cw as recently as yesterday and old club with the step over is very much there

AnnieSnap · 27/09/2021 23:12

@Tooembarrassingtomention

There is no climbing over now. All the Club World cabins have been upgraded.

Not true I can assure you!
Why post things that are not true?
I gave flown cw as recently as yesterday and old club with the step over is very much there

Well it must just be a couple they haven’t got to yet! It is true for the majority and will soon be all Club World cabins!

disculpe · 27/09/2021 23:14

Yes go for it. We've done BA business plenty of times starting when our son was 2. Husbands work moves country every few years and they pay for our b/c flights back to the UK. We definitely got a few looks bringing our child on in b/c but several times we've had positive comments from other passengers in b/c about how well behaved he was. At the end of the day you are a paying customer and families are just as able to book those seats if they want to and can afford them. It's just so much easier to settle them when they can lie down and you get more privacy and space. Just make sure you specify you need a child's meal when booking, we forgot once and he ended up with and adult meal with lots of food he didn't eat. The staff were great though, they rustled around the kitchen areas of the plane and got him some fruit, crisps and bread rolls so he didn't go hungry. If it's an overnight flight then we just lay the bed down, pop a film on for him and eventually he falls asleep. I'll miss it when we live in the Uk again and can't afford business class!

biscuitlicker · 27/09/2021 23:15

I always travel on business with my toddler and his fine. Of course I go above and beyond to keep him entertained and pick a time where he can nap when we are on flight. Get plenty of colouring books, stickers, iPad with pre downloaded Peppa pig, paw patrol and Blippi with headphones . Plenty of snacks, sweets and his favourite stuff. I asked the cabin to remove the middle seats separator so I can sit next to him and block him. Make sure your dc sits by the window so they won't attempt wondering off.

FrownedUpon · 27/09/2021 23:17

I’d hate a toddler near me when I’ve paid for business and need to work & sleep but each to their own. Am hoping there will be more adult only cabins soon.

Tippytaps · 27/09/2021 23:18

@nellyburt

I flew business class with a toddler and baby a few times to Malaysia on Malaysia airlines so not BA. The looks I got when boarding were a picture, especially from those upgraded last minute. The seats were all paid for my the company so I just made sure the kids were as well behaved as possible and often had lovely conversations with other passengers who couldn’t believe we were travelling so far (30 odd hours door to door with little ones).

The same couldn’t be said for lots of expat friends who let their kids run riot in business. They were probably the reason Malaysia Airlines banned kids from the upstairs cabin. So in short, buy the tickets do your best with the kids and ignore the looks.

It is impossible to know who upgraded last minute and who paid in advance

Op, you will be fine. Business class is so exceptionally calm, the little ones tend to pick up from the atmosphere. If they’re a good sleeper, you might find an overnight flight easier.

spaceghetto · 27/09/2021 23:24

I flew economy with my 3yo. It was fine. We had lots of entertainment (that was mostly ignored because of tv and snack trolley!)

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:26

Well it must just be a couple they haven’t got to yet! It is true for the majority and will soon be all Club World cabins!

That’s not true either
How often do you fly Cw on BA?
You sound like you have authority but are spouting misinformation
New CW is being rolled out but it certainly isn’t a couple of planes that don’t have it.

I have about 30 Cw bookings at the moment up to august 202: and it is currently showing on about 50% but they are plane swapping until about a week before at the moment

What is your recent CW experience? How many flights in the past 39 days and what aircraft and seating ?

Clymene · 27/09/2021 23:27

@CraftyGin

Don't worry about it, especially if you are paying your own way.

When we emigrated to the USA, the looks on the faces of the other in the business cabin was something to behold when we showed up with 4 children, aged 8 years down to 5 months.

The reality was that our children were the best behaved of all of them, and we paid full fare, instead of their Airmiles.

No one gives a shiny shit how you paid for your flight.

It's bizarre that two people have mentioned this. The other passengers don't care. If your children are quiet and well behaved you could have paid with bottle tops and green shield stamps

Skinnytailedsquirrel · 27/09/2021 23:33

I used to fly Business quite regularly and I appear to be in the minority. IMO children are a no-no in that area. You pay for peace and quiet and certainly no childhood dramas.

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:35

@Greyrootszerohoots

Will be flying to Canada next summer. DH has serious illness and won’t be able to do it in a regular seat, needs the lie flat bed. We’ll have a 2.5 y/o.

Has anyone travelled in British Airways business with a toddler? Any thoughts / tips?

I flew BA to Canada in Cw yesterday No-one minds children

pE is the sweet spot for upgrades if you have status as BA oversell pE and upgrade

cW pricing is through the roof at the moment, not sure I would pay it. There is usually a sale in January and booking a holiday by adding a car or hotel for even 1 night can reduce the price and you only have to pay a deposit not the full price

Look on headforpoints very good BA Amex credit card opening deals at the moment . You then get a 2 for 1 voucher which would give 3 club seats for 150,000 avoid and about £1200. Read up on it

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:37

Grr 2 seats for 150,000 avois. Children under 2 are 10% of fare

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:44

It is impossible to know who upgraded last minute and who paid in advance hmm

Not quite true
Food is offered by status
BA sometimes upgrade at the gate but you don’t get the food as it hasn’t been loaded, you can tell then!

AnnieSnap · 27/09/2021 23:46

@Tooembarrassingtomention

Well it must just be a couple they haven’t got to yet! It is true for the majority and will soon be all Club World cabins!

That’s not true either
How often do you fly Cw on BA?
You sound like you have authority but are spouting misinformation
New CW is being rolled out but it certainly isn’t a couple of planes that don’t have it.

I have about 30 Cw bookings at the moment up to august 202: and it is currently showing on about 50% but they are plane swapping until about a week before at the moment

What is your recent CW experience? How many flights in the past 39 days and what aircraft and seating ?

Annually at least, often twice a year. Okay, I bow to your additional knowledge. Clearly the information I have been given is over-optimistic! Surely, by next summer when the OP will be flying they will be getting there though?

Tooembarrassingtomention · 27/09/2021 23:49

Annually at least, often twice a year. Okay, I bow to your additional knowledge. Clearly the information I have been given is over-optimistic! Surely, by next summer when the OP will be flying they will be getting there though?

I have USA in august currently showing as old club

imsorryihaventaclue · 27/09/2021 23:53

I agree don’t worry about other passengers. I travel frequently for business and you accept that other passengers have paid the fare and have as much right as you to be there. There are often families in business class. I would just ask that you pay attention to them and don’t assume other passengers will be interested in them (I often get seated next to children, I suspect because I’m female and that’s airline policy). Yes, crying babies at night are annoying but so are people who snore loudly! Enjoy your flight and a flat bed.

bellsbuss · 27/09/2021 23:57

Yes but we did night flights , only had a problem once when one of mine was a year old and wouldn't settle. A stewardess came and asked if I would like her to walk him around , I said yes as I had already tried and was getting anxious about him disturbing the other passengers. She brought him back 15 mins later and he was fast asleep and stayed asleep.

backinthebox · 28/09/2021 00:04

Some amazing bits of wrong information here! Free upgrades are rare - most are are the result of last minute upselling. The Club World layouts are all over atm - some have new Club, some have old Club, and honestly sometimes you don’t know until the day of the flight exactly which aircraft you are getting in the current climate. Food is not offered by status - enough food should be loaded so that everyone gets their first choice. Nobody gives a stuff about children in Club, as long as they are not appallingly behaved.

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 28/09/2021 00:09

@Undertheoldlindentree

Hmmm not sure how the rest of the cabin who’ve paid a premium to work / or for a chilled experience would take to a toddler being there.

Never understand this discriminatory attitude. Small children are part of our society. Would you complain about sitting next to older people? I've had more journeys and meals out affected by the boisterous chatter of adults than any toddler!

This! Why is it only children who can be in the end of age discrimination? Why should parents feel that children only deserve restricted choices? Book the seats that work for you and your family OP.

Dfhugdhvdnjrs · 28/09/2021 00:15

No one is precious about business class, I wouldn’t give it a second thought

Dfhugdhvdnjrs · 28/09/2021 00:16

What’s more no one expects a premium business class experience from BA these days so expectations will be low. (And most people don’t work anyway they just pretend to)