Children in Upper / First Class
Discussion
NormalWisdom said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
Whilst somewhat extreme I do believe this comment has some basis.Compression and decompression (when climbing and descending) even on modern airliners can cause considerable discomfort in the ears. As adults we know how to combat this through different breathing techniques. I fly 100+ times a year and have witnessed many times babies screaming in pain especially during descent. We know what is happening but cannot communicate how to combat it.
I love aircraft, I love flying. My first ever flight was a Pan Am Boeing 707 from London to Copenhagen - I suffered excrutiating pain during descent - I was 13, heaven knows how it feels for a 1 year-old - I would not knowingly risk my offspring experiencing the same without being able to communicate how to combat it.
tleefox said:
What are our thoughts on this?
Our first little bundle of joy has just come into the world and we have a family holiday this time next year to Atlanta, so baby will just be 1.
I have just realised I have enough Virgin Miles to upgrade us to Upper Class, depending on availability on that particular route.
On the one hand the non-selfish side of me thinks if If I was paying however many £k for upper class I wouldn't want to have a (potentially) screaming child ruining my flight, but the selfish side of me thinks feck everyone else, We have the same entitlement to that class as everyone else.
Thoughts?
You've checked the amount of taxes you'll have to pay, even with air miles for Upper class. We were staggered when we did it.Our first little bundle of joy has just come into the world and we have a family holiday this time next year to Atlanta, so baby will just be 1.
I have just realised I have enough Virgin Miles to upgrade us to Upper Class, depending on availability on that particular route.
On the one hand the non-selfish side of me thinks if If I was paying however many £k for upper class I wouldn't want to have a (potentially) screaming child ruining my flight, but the selfish side of me thinks feck everyone else, We have the same entitlement to that class as everyone else.
Thoughts?
Are you on full fare tickets? That's what you need to be able to use Reward points to upgrade. Did you buy your tickets directly from VA or through a travel agent. They can get funny about allowing upgrades on tickets bought through a third party (e.g. you can't upgrade online).
Edited by audidoody on Wednesday 10th September 16:03
I'm torn on this. I don't have kids but travelled from a very young age and wouldn't wish to deprive children of that experience. If anything flying economy is stressful and claustrophobic enough without screaming children, up the front with much more space I find it less annoying if anything. That said if I'd paid £3k for a seat so I could arrive rested and raring to go only to be kept awake all flight by a screaming child I think I'd be a bit pissed off vs having paid £600 and knowing full well that I'm going to arrive covered in s
t food and cold tea with DVT and cross eyes from staring at a screen 3 inches from the end of my nose for 10 hours.
I went to Mauritius last year, on the way out the toddler in front of us was fast asleep within minutes, woke up quietly, had some grub, watched his cartoons, an angel basically. On the way back the toddler across the aisle from us was the devils spawn, this was mentioned to his parents by several passengers (not me). It's a lottery really.
t food and cold tea with DVT and cross eyes from staring at a screen 3 inches from the end of my nose for 10 hours.I went to Mauritius last year, on the way out the toddler in front of us was fast asleep within minutes, woke up quietly, had some grub, watched his cartoons, an angel basically. On the way back the toddler across the aisle from us was the devils spawn, this was mentioned to his parents by several passengers (not me). It's a lottery really.
foliedouce said:
At the age of 1, I wouldn't do it. For me it's too stressful, they are walking but aren't completely controllable. Certainly that was the case with mine anyway.
I took my daughter BA business from Sydney to London at 3 months old and she was as good as gold and slept most of it. As people have said, compression issues controlled by bottle feeding.
Fast forward to age 1 till 2 I would not have done it and we have stuck to economy short haul. Trying to control them in a confined space over an extended period with lots of other people fills me with dread.
Mine are now 5 and 3 and we are now talking about doing long haul business again as they are more sensible and listen now, that said, I think they should fly economy so they see what normal is, but that's a different thread.
Couldn't agree more. I took my daughter BA business from Sydney to London at 3 months old and she was as good as gold and slept most of it. As people have said, compression issues controlled by bottle feeding.
Fast forward to age 1 till 2 I would not have done it and we have stuck to economy short haul. Trying to control them in a confined space over an extended period with lots of other people fills me with dread.
Mine are now 5 and 3 and we are now talking about doing long haul business again as they are more sensible and listen now, that said, I think they should fly economy so they see what normal is, but that's a different thread.
Under a year no real problems. Flew to Greece with my first at 18 months, on the return journey we were stuck on the runway for close to 3 hours as the Greek air traffic control system had gone bananas. The other passengers were great but it was ballache of a journey.
I intend to stick them in economy with a nanny when they're old enough to fly long haul. No way are they getting a taste for the front early on!
As an aside I wouldn't worry to much about the other passengers in business/upper etc, a good deal of them will have upgraded with air mile similar to the OP. FWIW, for me screaming kids aren't the issue, its the reaction/efforts of the parent that matters, rather like dogs and their owners I guess...
Edited by poocherama on Wednesday 10th September 16:29
btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. People take 1 year old children on planes all the time. It turns out it is pretty common to do and completely acceptable.
We took ours at 5 months Virgin Upper Class to New York, BA Business back. We've taken him to Greece on BA (3 months old) and this year to Spain (16 months old).
All journeys completed with a minimum of fuss. I'd much rather be near a 1 year old than some selfish complaining child hating loser.
If it was me, I would definitely be looking at Upper with a baby if you have the miles and if any one nearby complains, tell them not to be so selfish and sod off.
Remember, all of us were children once upon a time.
Bob
I don't really see how a child in first is any more objectionable then one in economy. The others in first may have paid more for their ticket but it's all relative and £500 may be a bigger deal for a ticket to someone in economy then £3k to someone in first.
In any case if another passenger has a problem then their grievance is with the airline who accepted your booking.
In any case if another passenger has a problem then their grievance is with the airline who accepted your booking.
Edited by rpguk on Wednesday 10th September 16:55
fat80b said:
btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. People take 1 year old children on planes all the time. It turns out it is pretty common to do and completely acceptable.
We took ours at 5 months Virgin Upper Class to New York, BA Business back. We've taken him to Greece on BA (3 months old) and this year to Spain (16 months old).
All journeys completed with a minimum of fuss. I'd much rather be near a 1 year old than some selfish complaining child hating loser.
If it was me, I would definitely be looking at Upper with a baby if you have the miles and if any one nearby complains, tell them not to be so selfish and sod off.
Remember, all of us were children once upon a time.
Bob
king things are kept under control I have no problem 
Lost soul said:
fat80b said:
btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. People take 1 year old children on planes all the time. It turns out it is pretty common to do and completely acceptable.
We took ours at 5 months Virgin Upper Class to New York, BA Business back. We've taken him to Greece on BA (3 months old) and this year to Spain (16 months old).
All journeys completed with a minimum of fuss. I'd much rather be near a 1 year old than some selfish complaining child hating loser.
If it was me, I would definitely be looking at Upper with a baby if you have the miles and if any one nearby complains, tell them not to be so selfish and sod off.
Remember, all of us were children once upon a time.
Bob
king things are kept under control I have no problem btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. ks. A plane is public transport. Including the first class cabin. That means you get all sorts in it, and you have no control over who you might be sharing it with nor any right to complain about who you are sharing it with.
If you don't like that concept, hire your own jet: www.netjets.com.
fat80b said:
btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. People take 1 year old children on planes all the time. It turns out it is pretty common to do and completely acceptable.
)Just because it's pretty common doesn't make it any less selfish, nor acceptable.
Do not that assume that because lots of people do it every else must condone it.
Greg66 said:
btdk5 said:
markiii said:
taking a 1 year old on a plane is stupid and selfish, forget what class your in
I dont know why so many are objecting to this, its pretty much true. ks. A plane is public transport. Including the first class cabin. That means you get all sorts in it, and you have no control over who you might be sharing it with nor any right to complain about who you are sharing it with.
If you don't like that concept, hire your own jet: www.netjets.com.
Most kids make less noise that a boozed up bellend.
There is plenty of privacy in first class normally , plus most road warriors carry a good pair of noise-cancelling in ear phones like Bose. Of course people who pay have the right to travel in first class.
Like all parents, they also the the responsibility to manage their kids, though of course I understand that babies cry. It is not acceptable to let the older kids run madly around the aisle in any class..
Like all parents, they also the the responsibility to manage their kids, though of course I understand that babies cry. It is not acceptable to let the older kids run madly around the aisle in any class..
Crossflow Kid said:
Perhaps those taking 1 year olds on planes are the selfish ones? (We can sail round this one all day long)
Just because it's pretty common doesn't make it any less selfish, nor acceptable.
Do not that assume that because lots of people do it every else must condone it.
)Just because it's pretty common doesn't make it any less selfish, nor acceptable.
Do not that assume that because lots of people do it every else must condone it.
What an utterly stupid post.What are they supposed to do? Not travel? Because some random on the net finds it 'selfish and unacceptable'?
It's public transport, available to anyone who pays the money.
RDMcG said:
There is plenty of privacy in first class normally , plus most road warriors carry a good pair of noise-cancelling in ear phones like Bose. Of course people who pay have the right to travel in first class.
Like all parents, they also the the responsibility to manage their kids, though of course I understand that babies cry. It is not acceptable to let the older kids run madly around the aisle in any class..
Absolutely. It is up to all parents to manage their kids appropriately so they do not inconvenience other passengers.Like all parents, they also the the responsibility to manage their kids, though of course I understand that babies cry. It is not acceptable to let the older kids run madly around the aisle in any class..
My wife and I are lucky enough to now be able to only ever fly "up the pointy end"
My children are now over 30.
The point here is that, no matter what class you fly with a child, YOUR responsibility is to look after your children and stop them screaming/shouting/annoying/interfering with others quiet enjoyment. It's quite easy; you plan ahead and keep them entertained/occupied.
That, my dear friends, is called consideration for others. Or, more simply put, manners.
The irony of speaking of such things here is not lost on me.......................
My children are now over 30.
The point here is that, no matter what class you fly with a child, YOUR responsibility is to look after your children and stop them screaming/shouting/annoying/interfering with others quiet enjoyment. It's quite easy; you plan ahead and keep them entertained/occupied.
That, my dear friends, is called consideration for others. Or, more simply put, manners.
The irony of speaking of such things here is not lost on me.......................
As long as the parents do pay attention and keep them eating at the right times and entertained it is easier with a baby (asleep) than a 2 y.o. (bored). Parents who just ignore their screaming kids want kicking in the pills, of course.
(my definition of 'want', obviously).
(my definition of 'want', obviously).
Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 10th September 19:19
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