Is it OK for parents to travel in Business Class while teen kids travel in Economy?

[Anonymous]

We have a long upcoming international trip this summer (a total of about 16 hours which include a 3 hour layover). DH and I can stretch our budget and treat ourselves to business class tickets but our teen kids would need to be in economy. Would that be OK? DH and I both came from humble backgrounds and worked very hard to get to where we are currently in our careers. The first time we flew Business Class was when we were in our late thirties. It feels odd to us that a 13 and 16 year old would get that privilege so early on in their lives. We also worry about them getting used to it and feeling entitled to fly Business every time we have an international trip (DH's parents moved back to his home country, so there will be more such trips in our future).

Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

Yes

[Anonymous]

I personally would not do it. I'd save it for a trip for just dh and myself.

[Anonymous]

I'd do premium economy for the whole family. Save the business class for adult-only travels.

[Anonymous]

Totally fine. They're old enough to behave themselves.

[Anonymous]

It depends on your kids. If they will be basically silent without supervision, fine. If they will play their music out loud or otherwise be obnoxious, then no. You need to supervise. My kid would be silent and also be glad to have me away from him.

[Anonymous]

I've done it when I get upgraded. Not sure I would buy a business class ticket for me and put my kids in economy though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally fine. They're old enough to behave themselves.

Thx. OP here. I am not worried about them behaving themselves. They are old enough to sit alone. Was just wondering if the arrangement is OK by principle/ moral point of view.

[Anonymous]

DH and I did this but our DC are young adults.

[Anonymous]

Yes.

Be sure that you can book the tickets together under one reservation so they aren’t considered unaccompanied minors. That’s a PITA for check in.

[Anonymous]

Of course.

[Anonymous]

They're old enough to sit alone, but personally I would want to be near my kids in the unlikely case of an emergency. I feel this way when flying with my elderly mom, too.

I don't share your reasoning that they shouldn't have something nice younger than you had it, or that they'd feel entitled to it because they got it once. If you can afford the seats for all, explain it's a special thing that you can't always do. Or, skip it for yourselves now and save up so everyone can do it next time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Totally fine. They're old enough to behave themselves.

Thx. OP here. I am not worried about them behaving themselves. They are old enough to sit alone. Was just wondering if the arrangement is OK by principle/ moral point of view.

If they will behave themselves then you have met your moral obligations to your fellow passengers. Your kids have no reasonable expectations of being in business class, so you have no obligations there.

I flew long flights in economy when I was young and it was unpleasant for sure, but not so bad because I was young and healthy, etc. Now I have done a few overnight flights in business using points, and I think it would be pretty hard to go back as a middle aged adult! Do what you want.

[Anonymous]

We've done it, when flying with 2 other families. We had, collectively, enough points to upgrade 5 business class tickets for three adults, and the 4 kids sat in coach. My daughter, now 18, still makes snarky comments about it to this day - she was 10 at the time. I think it's totally fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do premium economy for the whole family. Save the business class for adult-only travels.

+1