Kids Travel Different Class - When?

[Flying Fox]

Hello Brains Trust

I have twins boys who are now 12 yrs old. They are well behaved (but do argue with each other as kids do) and have no problems with going out to dinner and behaving, traveling with us and behaving etc. They are polite and well mannered (I know that I'm starting to sound like a one-eye parent who thinks that the sun shines out of their butts - it doesn't - but I think my characterisation of them is fairly accurate).

So my question is, at what age do people think its appropriate for us to travel as a family on the same flight but have the kids in Y and the adults in J ?

Its a light hearted question and not designed to be controversial so please provide your opinions.

TIA

 

[love_the_life]

I have a feeling that Amaroo is the expert on this from memory. Not sure when the kids began travelling in a different class but they are almost adults now I think.
I'm not keen on it myself but every family is different. Our kids don't travel with us now as they are adults so it's not an issue any more.

 

[craven morehead]

I think it's perfectly fine. Especially when they cannot drink different story if you have millions of FF points to burn.

 

[TomVexille]

Paging @Princess Fiona to the white courtesy phone.

 

[odysseus]

I still prefer everyone to travel together and share the experience, but there are different opinions.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So my question is, at what age do people think its appropriate for us to travel as a family on the same flight but have the kids in Y and the adults in J ?

Never, until the kids become adults.

For safety reasons, the last thing you want is a parent going against the flow of passengers trying to exit the aircraft as they look for thier kids somewhere else (or may have already left the plane).

 

[Princess Fiona]

Paging @Princess Fiona to the white courtesy phone.

I’m just out at a Birthday Dinner at Tetsuya’s (kids at Maccas) will respond shortly

 

[Hvr]

Are they old enough to travel as UMs?

 

[Dave G]

My wife and I took our4 kids (12-19) last year rtw J. Really enjoyed the experience of traveling together - even / especially the lounges.
Given the Cathay changes - the chances of that happening again are very, very slim

I probably wouldn't get them in different classes until they are 16+ - but even then it does depend on the individual kids somewhat

 

[deejo77]

I would move heaven and earth to get to my kid in an emergency - he sits in the seat next to mine. My spouse can sit a row or two away as I know he will get himself out.

 

[JohnK]

My wife prefers we travel together and we cannot afford 3-4 trips to Thailand each year in premium cabins so economy for everyone it will be for now.

Boys could be a different story but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving daughter alone in economy while I was up front. Interesting dilemma if there are ever any op-ups.

 

[amaroo]

We waited for three things....

1. They were over 6 foot

2. They were no longer UM

3. They (well one of them) was sick of sitting with us up in F

 

[Deleted member]

While not my children , we have travelled TT with grandchildren when they were both aged in single figures. We travelled in 737 J.
The problem is that when mum and dad flew with them next time they couldn’t understand why they weren’t sitting in the nice wide seats at the front.
On a serious note , small children (IMHO) should be with you in whatever class you fly. As teenagers over say 16, they can fly in Y and suck it up until they start paying.
If they are mature 12 year olds they may we’ll be 0k in Y, a movie, plenty of soft drink and snacks....; probably a 12 YO paradise

 

[MEL_Traveller]

While not my children , we have travelled TT with grandchildren when they were both aged in single figures. We travelled in 737 J.
The problem is that when mum and dad flew with them next time they couldn’t understand why they weren’t sitting in the nice wide seats at the front.
On a serious note , small children (IMHO) should be with you in whatever class you fly. As teenagers over say 16, they can fly in Y and suck it up until they start paying.
If they are mature 12 year olds they may we’ll be 0k in Y, a movie, plenty of soft drink and snacks....; probably a 12 YO paradise

I think the ‘flying alone’ isn’t really the problem...some airlines accept UMs as young as five or six. The issue is an emergency, with the parents trying to find their kids. Probably far more dangerous than pax taking hand luggage?

 

[amaroo]

I think the ‘flying alone’ isn’t really the problem...some airlines accept UMs as young as five or six. The issue is an emergency, with the parents trying to find their kids. Probably far more dangerous than pax taking hand luggage?

Although airlines don't have an issue spreading families far and wide across a large cabin when it suits them.

 

[LadyC]

MasterC is too young to travel alone but I will happily have him travel with us for as long as possible.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Although airlines don't have an issue spreading families far and wide across a large cabin when it suits them.

I think the rule is one adult must be sitting with a child (or in very close proximity, I think it is one row?). You have to assume at one point that the other adult will look after any accompanying children in their vicinity.

That's quite different to the parents in a premium cabin leaving their children in another without a fully responsible adult.

 

[amaroo]

I think the rule is one adult must be sitting with a child (or in very close proximity, I think it is one row?). .

Not in my (first hand) experience.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not in my (first hand) experience.

It would be interesting to dig out the rules and individual airline policy. Parents should actually demand it on safety grounds.

 

[amaroo]

It would be interesting to dig out the rules and individual airline policy. Parents should actually demand it on safety grounds.

I've requested satisfaction on all occasions, and received it.... probably because of high status. But like I said - airlines do it, why not parents?