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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The message you'd be giving them is not that they are entitled at an early age, but that you deserve the upgrade but they don't. Do you make them live in a less nice house than you do? Drive in a cheaper car than you drive? Are they going to be staying in a cheap hotel distant from your luxury lodgings?

I agree with those who suggest Premium Economy for all, if that's what you can afford for all of you to travel together as a family.

Er...yes? We live in the same house but DH and I get the biggest bedroom with the ensuite. They get a small bedroom with a hall bathroom. When they get their first car, it would definitely not be as nice as mine! Come on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The message you'd be giving them is not that they are entitled at an early age, but that you deserve the upgrade but they don't. Do you make them live in a less nice house than you do? Drive in a cheaper car than you drive? Are they going to be staying in a cheap hotel distant from your luxury lodgings?

I agree with those who suggest Premium Economy for all, if that's what you can afford for all of you to travel together as a family.

Er...yes? We live in the same house but DH and I get the biggest bedroom with the ensuite. They get a small bedroom with a hall bathroom. When they get their first car, it would definitely not be as nice as mine! Come on.

I mean sure but it's still really weird to leave your kids in a different class without access to you on a family vacation instead of just like upgrading everyone to a middle ground and sitting together.

Teens are plenty independent but flights can hit turbulence, teens can need things, and you'd be in a section they couldn't reach you in without having to explain to overtaxed flight attendant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I think teenagers can understand that sometimes you stay at a Hampton Inn and sometimes you stay at a Four Seasons. It depends on the trip.

[Anonymous]

Yes it's ok.

[Anonymous]

No, please fly together on the aircraft. You are sending your kids the wrong message. Save your points for when you and your husband fly together.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't feel good about this personally. Like it just feels obnoxious to strand them in economy while I treat myself.

[Anonymous]

My priority is always too set with, or is near as I can, to my family. Personally, I can’t imagine sitting in a different class from where spells or kids or anyone else I was traveling with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The message you'd be giving them is not that they are entitled at an early age, but that you deserve the upgrade but they don't. Do you make them live in a less nice house than you do? Drive in a cheaper car than you drive? Are they going to be staying in a cheap hotel distant from your luxury lodgings?

I agree with those who suggest Premium Economy for all, if that's what you can afford for all of you to travel together as a family.

Er...yes? We live in the same house but DH and I get the biggest bedroom with the ensuite. They get a small bedroom with a hall bathroom. When they get their first car, it would definitely not be as nice as mine! Come on.

I mean sure but it's still really weird to leave your kids in a different class without access to you on a family vacation instead of just like upgrading everyone to a middle ground and sitting together.

Teens are plenty independent but flights can hit turbulence, teens can need things, and you'd be in a section they couldn't reach you in without having to explain to overtaxed flight attendant.

Do you let your teen fly solo? It’s no different.

[Anonymous]

I would do it. My teens would be snarky about it but oh well! I don't know if you can book two tickets of each class on one reservation though.

To the person above who says "teens can need things," .... gimme a break. Teens need headphones and food. Pay for the internet then so you can text them if you really want to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would do it. My teens would be snarky about it but oh well! I don't know if you can book two tickets of each class on one reservation though.

To the person above who says "teens can need things," .... gimme a break. Teens need headphones and food. Pay for the internet then so you can text them if you really want to.

Exactly. Our family was traveling on a 3-hr connection and 3 of us got upgraded. We left one kid in back. DH offered to trade his seat, but he said it was fine because he was going to sleep. He got upgraded on a long haul flight traveling solo few months later, so it was all good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents in “Home Alone” movie did it. Nobody have said anything.

Uh, the movie is about how sitting in business while your kids are in economy turned out.

[Anonymous]

I also fly with my parents in first class while I sit in business. After a certain age, your body just aches. It’s ok.

[Anonymous]

Maybe on a short flight. No way for a long international one—what if they need you? I would also feel uncomfortable with young teens sitting by strange men and falling asleep. What if they get creeped on?

[Anonymous]

I always do this. I can set up a gofundme though if you want to pay for my teens to be upgraded. I have better things to spend my money on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe on a short flight. No way for a long international one—what if they need you? I would also feel uncomfortable with young teens sitting by strange men and falling asleep. What if they get creeped on?

How young is a young teen? On some airlines a 15-year-old can fly solo. My older son's first solo flight, at 16, was international (midwest to Europe).

What would he have needed me for?