Infants in premium cabins

[mannej]

After 160 posts on tbis topic , I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!!!

We must rename Business class to "Selfish , Uncaring, Narcisisstic, Horrible Parent" Class.

Business travellers and others who pay the extra coin for comfort and peace and quiet can simply just go and get stuffed.

Problem solved, welcome to modern Australia.

I also wonder if any of you even know your neighbours names????

I am sorry but your sarcasm is going to hit a nerve amongst some, myself included.

As I have mentioned, a disruptive passenger can be of any age, it is not limited to those of a young age. No responsible parent condones this disruptive behaviour and it is your attitude to these parents who do the right thing is offensive.

Whilst you think that I may be one of these parents who sprout on about how perfectly behaved my little one was flying (in both Y and J), to date he has been perfectly behaved. My wife and I ensured he had enough to keep him entertained, but it helped that he slept very easily on board.

I would ask that you don't tar all of us parents with the same brush due to the actions of the minority.

 

[Natalie_B]

After 160 posts on tbis topic , I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!!!

We must rename Business class to "Selfish , Uncaring, Narcisisstic, Horrible Parent" Class.

Business travellers and others who pay the extra coin for comfort and peace and quiet can simply just go and get stuffed.

Problem solved, welcome to modern Australia.

I also wonder if any of you even know your neighbours names????

Hahahaha. Your post has me laughing so hard!

That sounds like a great class to sit in. At least we will be far away from those people who give you the filthiest look when you are standing in the queue waiting to board, and then pull the "please don't sit next to me" face. I'd hate for them to be proven wrong when the devil spawn they are afraid of, turns out to be quite charismatic and non teary.

Plus, I'd hate to spend my extra coin sitting next to people who belong in the "Selfish, Uncaring,Narcissistic, Horrible BUSINESS PERSON" Class. I mean, my coin is clearly inferior. I hope you aren't standing in line behind a parent and get change that was originally held by a parent - clearly $5,000 in the pocket of a parent is not the same as $5,000 in your pocket.

And I do know the names of my neighbours, but that's getting OT.

 

[coriander]

When Mrs C and I flew back from the US on QF94 in 2013, we had a mother and ~4yo in 15J & K in front of us. The child SCREAMED for about three hours before settling into mere shouting and crying, kicking the bulkhead in front of her, etc. (Overall, I think she was quiet for about 3 hours of the 15 hour flight). I had to admire her stamina: when that age, my kids could only keep a tantrum going for about 45 minutes before subsiding into an exhausted silence.

The QF staff were brilliant, patiently trying to placate the little girl with all manner of food, pencils and other paraphernalia. My tolerance for the situation was admirable (even if I say so myself) UNTIL I overheard the woman say to the FA "yes she's always like this.... she hates flying. That's why my husband has a seat in PE: that way we can swap seats during the flight and we both get some sleep."

AAaaaarghhh!!!!

 

[QF WP]

After 160 posts on tbis topic , I HAVE THE SOLUTION!!!!

We must rename Business class to "Selfish , Uncaring, Narcisisstic, Horrible Parent" Class.

Business travellers and others who pay the extra coin for comfort and peace and quiet can simply just go and get stuffed.

Problem solved, welcome to modern Australia.

I also wonder if any of you even know your neighbours names????

Ah yes, dry humour here. I have always found a good pair of noise cancelling headphones get rid of most problems.

Actually, the only reason I know my back neighbours names is because I'm in a legal dispute with them. But that is why we have a 7' retaining wall and a 7' fence atop it, to keep the neighbours out

 

[Arrow29]

Haha, I must say I've got a few chuckles out of reading this thread. Have to keep a sense of humour!

We've just booked SQ suites to Tokyo (one-way) and business on the way back for next year. We actually thought about it for a long time because we were worried about how our daughter would fly, what others would think, disrupting other passengers, upsetting other passengers..she'll be just under 10 months when we fly.

But then we decided that the flights we have taken so far have gone as smooth as we could hope for, because we (mostly my wife, but I do try as well!) spend a lot of time planning as others have said to take as much chance out of the equation as possible. It's no longer a matter of us lying back, completely relaxed, sleep when we want etc..the flight is all about making sure our little girl is content and not disrupting other passengers. Of course the majority of parents have to do that in economy with limited space and in far less comfortable conditions (as have we previously), but we are fortunate to have the means to be able to fly up the front, so we might as well make it easier for ourselves. If she does get fussy, we just take her for a walk down the back.

I'm not complaining about any of this by the way, it was of course our choice and I wouldn't change a thing

PS: I do know my neighbours name, they also have an infant not much older than my precious girl - maybe we should both aim to fly on the same flight as you Digger

 

[cmon0005]

I just completed a big trip with our 5 month old, 17 flights over 1 month to 6 countries and other destinations, all in Business class with 2 flights in first on QF, UL, QR and MH and our baby was exemplary all the other pax commented how good she was and even the flight crew loved her and carried her around sometimes.

But I have heard that once they reach toddler stage its a different story!

 

[Arrow29]

I just completed a big trip with our 5 month old, 17 flights over 1 month to 6 countries and other destinations, all in Business class with 2 flights in first on QF, UL, QR and MH and our baby was exemplary all the other pax commented how good she was and even the flight crew loved her and carried her around sometimes.

But I have heard that once they reach toddler stage its a different story!

Awesome! Yeah, I've heard the same..hence our holiday to Japan next year before she's walking and then perhaps a bit of a hiatus from long flights haha.

 

[Josh69]

Why is it called business class then ????
i actually find it rude that a 4 month crying baby is allowed in business class, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
One of the reasons many of us pay for business and sometimes first is for the peace i expect.

That's not the way airlines work: some airlines call it business class, some call it Club World, some call it Upper Class, some call it something else. It does not imply that anyone travelling in that cabin is on business.

None of these airlines require you to be travelling on business. Last time I bought a business class tix with my own cash, the airline did not try to check that I was travelling for business purposes before they would sell me a ticket. Infact it was quite clearly a leisure trip and they were still happy to sell me a ticket. Further, airlines make it easy for parents to take children in business class... by having special ticket categories and discounted tickets for both children and infants. Presumably if airlines were unhappy with this situation, they would take steps to make sure that people in premium cabins were travelling on some kind of business but it seems they aren't interested in doing this and instead are quite happy to cater for the leisure or family travel market.

 

[Josh69]

Anyway back to OP:

I completed a 7-month, 55,000 mile RTW trip with my wife and 1-yo and 4-yo in business class with 16 flights on the RTW and about 7 add on flights in economy (mainly short flights). No bother from either of the kids on any of the flights (bar one) and they seem to like flying, at least they enjoy watching the inflight entertainment. One of them (the bar one I mentioned) did have a meltdown on one of the flights, but it was one of the fewer economy flights. I guess they don't like travelling economy either

 

[24601]

I first flew as an unaccompanied minor aged five and most years thereafter as a child, guess it was permitted in the 70s. International flights SYD-HKG, ICN, YVR and other destinations. Probably bothered seatmates a bit by chatting to them, but don't recall any undue problems. I definitely didn't cry or carry on, it was a great adventure and I was taught always to be polite. 5 isn't infant, but once you're not a baby any more - really some of these kiddies today need to harden up and be taught to have consideration for others while they're at it. No reason why children shouldn't fly in any class, but they must behave. Barring serious medical/psychological problems, there is no excuse for less.

Also at that age, on CX and QF, economy seats were cavernous and luxurious.

 

[Ausbt]

I first flew as an unaccompanied minor aged five and most years thereafter as a child, guess it was permitted in the 70s. International flights SYD-HKG, ICN, YVR and other destinations.

You are not seriously suggesting you travelled unaccompanied SYD-HKG as a five y.o. are you? Did someone guide you through passport control?

 

[24601]

You are not seriously suggesting you travelled unaccompanied SYD-HKG as a five y.o. are you? Did someone guide you through passport control?

yes- was taken by airline staff from check in to seat and then from seat to hand over at arrivals. Was well looked after. Aged maybe 6 was allowed to sit in the coughpit in a seat behind the pilot as the plane landed in HKG. Flew unaccompanied every year until about 14 y.o.

 

[avante]

I flew unaccompanied as a minor (8 yo) in the early 90s too, from Penang to Singapore. Definitely didn't have this Air New Zealand introduces tracking armbands for young travellers - KarryOn

 

[24601]

My point, stories aside, is that once a child is no longer an infant there is not an excuse for poor or disruptive behaviour. Just as kids are expected to control themselves (or be controlled by their parents) in a library, so too in a plane. They can do it, and it should be expected. Do this and no problem flying in any class of cabin.

 

[Ausbt]

Wow, that's amazing. My kids have flown a bit as UMs domestically with VA, but I find it hard to imagine them being on an international flight as even now at 15 & 13 y.o.

 

[24601]

Wow, that's amazing. My kids have flown a bit as UMs domestically with VA, but I find it hard to imagine them being on an international flight as even now at 15 & 13 y.o.

They'd have a great time, assuming airlines still offer the same level of care, and maybe they don't. Aged 7 or 8: SYD-HKG-TSA-ICN and then return. Year or two later it was SYD-HNL-SFO-YVR, which was the route back then. No worries at all.

 

[Fly Boy Jerry]

Well i had a few run in with babies on board, they all well behave. have you flow with your baby before? if not maybe worth for a quick return trips with your baby to see how your baby cope with flying? daytime out and nighttime return? also if i have to travel with baby I would pick daytime, cause the baby had a good night sleep and so are most passenger in the cabin. Plus brighter surrounding so there are more interesting things for your baby to look at? So that might be worth a thought? otherwise you might want to tired your baby out a bit more during the day of your flight so your baby can go to sleep not long after take off.
I dont have kid myself but it is just my experience with baby on board both day and night time flight. hope it helps have a great flight =]

 

[JohnK]

My point, stories aside, is that once a child is no longer an infant there is not an excuse for poor or disruptive behaviour. Just as kids are expected to control themselves (or be controlled by their parents) in a library, so too in a plane. They can do it, and it should be expected. Do this and no problem flying in any class of cabin.

I will never forget my experience with a spoilt brat travelling with her parents. Tamper tantrums non stop and refused to wear seat belt on take off. I was in the aisle seat and they had the other 3 seats in the row of 4. I could not take it anymore. As soon as the seat belt sign went off I walked back in the cabin and luckily found an aisle seat 5-6 rows back. Felt sorry for the parents.

 

[Denali]

My point, stories aside, is that once a child is no longer an infant there is not an excuse for poor or disruptive behaviour. Just as kids are expected to control themselves (or be controlled by their parents) in a library, so too in a plane. They can do it, and it should be expected. Do this and no problem flying in any class of cabin.

Problem being, a lot of parents dont hold their kids to a expected standard at home so how do you expect them to behave when in public?

I have a co-worker who complains about how feral her kids are and how they "cant even go out for a meal" because they "wont sit down, eat or behave". Problem being, they don't sit at the dinner table at home, they "graze" in the living room while playing or watching tv.

Some parents are setting their kids up to fail.

 

[emeline]

My brother and sister flew SYD-LHR as unaccompanied minors a lot with QF/BA.