Upgrading my sister and baby to J on domestic - good or bad idea?

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smit0847

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My sister and her gorgeous 18 month old baby (my niece) are planning to visit me in July (before she turns 2). Theyre planning to fly ADL-MEL-ADL on VA. Even though our parents will help her all the way to the gate ion ADL and I'll meet her at the gate in MEL, my sister is extremely anxious about taking her daughter on the plane and it just being her and her baby for the flight. My niece is a good kid but can be unpredictable and my sister is nervous as there wont be anyone there to assist her. My niece has only been on a plane once before when she was six months old and was fine but had both her parents there to help.

I want to make her journey as comfortable as possible because she is coming over just to see me and my new house (she wouldnt make the journey if I hadnt encouraged her to do so). I am very happy to use my points to either upgrade her to J, or book her in J to start with if this makes the journey easier for her. Shes not fussed about F&B etc, but I do think having a bit more space and attention from the crew might help her.

Is this a good idea? I know if I was travelling in J I would prefer babies were down the back of the plane (I refer to the back 5 rows of a 737 as 'the nursery') - if my little niece starts making a scene I'm not sure if my sister would rather be in a hopefully fairly empty J cabin (all flights are outside peak times) or crammed down the back with other children. If my niece is awake she gets bored easily and tends to fidget.

What would you do? Is this a waste of points if she would actually be better down the back with other children where noise and unpredictability is more expected? My sister would be mortified if I booked her in J, her daughter started screaming and other J pax complained.
 
Upgrade her for sure if you can, kids are kids and will be noisy but I've have troubles with adults in planes also.
 
Your sister is entitled to be there so if you are willing to upgrade, what is the problem? There are adults who can make flights much more unpleasant for a number of reasons so it isn't just limited to children ruining flights.
Just make sure she has a number of things to keep your niece occupied.
This can be a fairly fiery topic, but I feel that there is a lot of ignorance around the topic.
 
I actually dont have problems with crying babies on planes for some reason and as long as your sister and niece will be more comfortable then upgrade. This way she will be on and off the plane sooner and not have to struggle down the aisle with baby and nappy bag. Even if she does cry, its not a long haul flight so will be over sooner than later.
 
I actually dont have problems with crying babies on planes
And neither you should and neither should anybody else IMHO - hands up anybody here who wasn't a baby at some time in their life and who did not bawl at times for whatever reason? Way too much ME ME ME in society today - again MHO - YMMV.
 
And neither you should and neither should anybody else IMHO - hands up anybody here who wasn't a baby at some time in their life and who did not bawl at times for whatever reason? Way too much ME ME ME in society today - again MHO - YMMV.

Yeah, I dont understand the hate and I dont even have kids. Im pretty sure every parent also wishes their baby would stop crying but sometimes they cry for what seems like no reason. Hopefully OPs sister & niece will have a great trip and enjoy.
 
At the risk of being pretentious......

It's a bl**dy one hour flight

Why worry?

Apart from the babies in premium cabins issue (which I think is a load of crock), who would have the right mind to complain about one on such a short flight.

Go ahead and give your sister the best. They'll be fine. Just make sure your niece stays fairly occupied at all times.
 
I found this thread late.... But yes do it! Whenever I travel solo with my little one I like to go J. The room certainly helps and the CSM always very helpful!
 
Personally, I think lifting the arm rest up and having the two seats to sit/play across in Y would be more enjoyable with an 18month old.
 
Personally, I think lifting the arm rest up and having the two seats to sit/play across in Y would be more enjoyable with an 18month old.

I think the only way you'll guarantee this though is buying a seat for the infant as well, at least she would get extra SC's!
 
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I think the only way you'll guarantee this though is buying a seat for the infant as well, at least she would get extra SC's!

Oh yes forgot about that, 18month old gets the lap belt.
 
Go for it. a Flight in J will make the whole thing easier IMHO and that will have a positive effect on any potential stress
 
Go for it. a Flight in J will make the whole thing easier IMHO and that will have a positive effect on any potential stress

Indeed!

Bigger seat, more legroom and better service with food and drinks is always (99% of the time) going to make for a better experience for someone who is a little nervous
 
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