In the past, I’ve written about the concept of traveling with babies in first class. Along those lines, I think it’s also interesting to talk a bit about the concept of traveling with kids in premium cabins. After all, a toddler is different than a tween, so the thought process is a bit different as well.
In this post:
Yes, kids can fly in first & business class (usually)
Generally speaking, there aren’t rules against kids flying in premium cabins, on both domestic and international flights. So regardless of age, it’s allowed.
The only exception I can think of is that Emirates recently banned kids ages eight and under from first class, but only if redeeming miles for an outright award ticket, or for an upgrade. However, if paying cash, there are no restrictions.
I can’t think of any other airline that has such a ban. Back in the day, Malaysia Airlines used to ban young children in first class, but the airline no longer offers first class, so that’s a moot point.
Should kids fly first & business class, though?
In life, what one can do and what one should do are often different things (or so they say). So while it’s almost always okay to travel with kids in premium cabins, is it something you should do? It’s a nuanced question…
Personally, my opinion is that flying is a form of shared transportation, and as long as you’re following the rules, you’re fine. So if airlines say you can travel with kids, then that’s that. I know there are many people who like to apply their own standards toward others when flying, and personally I don’t agree with that line of thinking.
I will say, I actually wouldn’t have an issue with airlines creating some restrictions on traveling in premium cabins with kids (like a “quiet section,” only for adults, or something). It’s an area where I think the market should be able to decide — if people think that’s something they’d like and are willing to pay for, I have no problem with airlines offering it.
All that being said, there’s no denying that if you travel in premium cabins with small children, you may get some dirty looks, or sighs, or just general crankiness from people sitting around you. I can’t necessarily blame those people, in some situations.
I get that people drop a lot of money on premium cabin travel to be able to rest, and there’s no denying that some (but certainly not all) children can get in the way of that, by crying, screaming loudly, etc. So I understand the frustration, but also, a business class seat doesn’t entitle you to a private jet-like experience.
I’ve also been on endless flights with loud snorers, drunk people who yell, unbearably flatulent people, etc. That’s just a reality we have to accept… right?
I think the challenge with this entire topic is that all family travelers aren’t created equal. You have some kids who are super easy and quiet, and others who aren’t. You have some parents who do a great job managing their kids and keeping them entertained, and you have others who don’t.
On the topic of family travel, another question is just how advantageous it is to travel in premium cabins as a family. As premium cabin seats have become more spacious, there are increasingly seats where it’s almost impossible to travel with a young child, who you need to be near during the flight. The best business class seats aren’t necessarily the best business class seats for families.
As another example, you certainly wouldn’t want to travel with a young child in something like Etihad’s A380 first class, where you can’t even see one another. And as much as I like reverse herringbone business class seats as a solo traveler, they kind of suck when traveling with kids.
Bottom line
Broadly speaking, there are very few rules against traveling in first and business class with kids of any age. The only restriction I can think of involves Emirates, where first class awards and upgrades are not allowed for those eight years of age and under.
Now, whether one should travel with kids in premium cabins is a different story. I think it’s totally fine (since it’s allowed by airlines), though that’s not to say that other travelers won’t give others a hard time.
Where do you stand on kids flying in first and business class?
One of my favourite moments flying was when a clearly very wealthy family were boarding our transatlantic Virgin Upper Class flight and the young child exclaimed "Mummy, what are all these people doing on *our* plane??"
Keeping it real by flying commercial, kid, keeping it real.
When I was a kid we regularly flew to Florida, in COACH. Now of course me and my three brothers were amped up about flying to a second house (and a very modest one at that) in Florida. But we got the talk. Our parents got us window seats so we could marvel outside the window. Well before tech of today. Our father gave us books to read. We were instructed to be polite and...
When I was a kid we regularly flew to Florida, in COACH. Now of course me and my three brothers were amped up about flying to a second house (and a very modest one at that) in Florida. But we got the talk. Our parents got us window seats so we could marvel outside the window. Well before tech of today. Our father gave us books to read. We were instructed to be polite and say thank you.
Somehow my parents were able to restraing four pretty active boys from being loud and interruptive.
Okay, I'll play the villain.
I fly business class two or three times a year, and any time I travel across oceans. I'd say about one flight out of three, I'll need to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the squeals of an ill-behaved child, or a screaming infant. Yes, I'll concede that it's important to consider the individual child. I'll counter by saying that I've had far fewer issues with pets on board,...
Okay, I'll play the villain.
I fly business class two or three times a year, and any time I travel across oceans. I'd say about one flight out of three, I'll need to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the squeals of an ill-behaved child, or a screaming infant. Yes, I'll concede that it's important to consider the individual child. I'll counter by saying that I've had far fewer issues with pets on board, than with children, and we have no problem banning pets.
And yes, I'll go full Grandpa Simpson - the majority of modern children are spoiled, entitled brats with goldfish attention spans, who are almost as annoying as their entitled Karen mothers that play Cocomelon videos at full volume on their iPads to entertain them.
No, children do not belong in Business of First Class.
Period. End of sentence.
Bah, humbug.
I wonder how it is if you grew up always travelling biz / first and now as an adult you can't afford it. Must be a tough reality check.
Last summer flew Frankfurt to LA with the family in Lufthansa business (full cash fare).
Toddler was being a normal kid - was a daytime/morning departure so he was chatty and happy.
American lady across in the other window seat, loudly yelled for us to give him an iPad or something. We laughed. Lufthansa crew asked us to put him in a bassinet (he was ~30" tall by this stage) and we laughed again.
...Last summer flew Frankfurt to LA with the family in Lufthansa business (full cash fare).
Toddler was being a normal kid - was a daytime/morning departure so he was chatty and happy.
American lady across in the other window seat, loudly yelled for us to give him an iPad or something. We laughed. Lufthansa crew asked us to put him in a bassinet (he was ~30" tall by this stage) and we laughed again.
Turns out later in the flight the lady and her spouse had relegated their tween/teen kids to economy and we pretty much laughed the rest of the way home. Bless.
Commercial flying is the same as riding a Greyhound. It’s public transit. Doesn’t matter if you spent $10k on that business class seat, you’re the same as everyone else riding on that plane; you just spent more money than the person next to you.
You want no kids? Spend the $100k to charter your own jet. Don’t have it? Then take your ticket and sit on the commercial jet with everyone else who can’t afford...
Commercial flying is the same as riding a Greyhound. It’s public transit. Doesn’t matter if you spent $10k on that business class seat, you’re the same as everyone else riding on that plane; you just spent more money than the person next to you.
You want no kids? Spend the $100k to charter your own jet. Don’t have it? Then take your ticket and sit on the commercial jet with everyone else who can’t afford it and be happy with your decision.
At the end of the day, you ALWAYS have a choice. You chose public transit.
I have zero issue with kids in premium cabins as long as their guardians are at least making an effort to get their kids to align with the social norms we have learned to expect.
But if the kid is older than 5 and throwing a tantrum I am definitely judging your parenting skills.
This entire issue hinges on this one paragraph, which I'm glad he wrote:
"I think the challenge with this entire topic is that all family travelers aren’t created equal. You have some kids who are super easy and quiet, and others who aren’t. You have some parents who do a great job managing their kids and keeping them entertained, and you have others who don’t."
To be clear, most of the complaining has to come...
This entire issue hinges on this one paragraph, which I'm glad he wrote:
"I think the challenge with this entire topic is that all family travelers aren’t created equal. You have some kids who are super easy and quiet, and others who aren’t. You have some parents who do a great job managing their kids and keeping them entertained, and you have others who don’t."
To be clear, most of the complaining has to come from non-parents or crappy parents. Any good parent will realize that kids being loud on planes is something we wish we didn't have to deal with, but it's sometimes a reality. It frankly doesn't bother us as much once we became parents.
That said, I'm not a jerk so if I knew my child was going to be loud, I wouldn't book in business. Babies are hard to control, so I'd never book up front with a baby. However, my 4 1/2 year old is an excellent traveler (lots of trips already) and I am 100% certain she would be quiet for 8 hours in business. Is that true for all 4 1/2 year olds? Nope. So it's not an easy topic.
I could get on board with something like "no lap children" in business. That will eliminate most babies. But if they are old enough for their own seat, and I'm willing to pay big bucks for it, and I'm confident my child will be quiet, I should get to do it. Blame the parents here, not the kids.
We should ban content creators These are people we should ban hard. They talked too loud and disturb my pleasant caviar time
If you're really that sensitive and have the means, just don't fly commercial.
Otherwise STFU and deal.
If a person can afford first or business class for their family with their cash or points, they should be able to fly first or business class with their family.
My issue is not necessarily with kids themselves, but I'm definitely concerned with 'rich' parents flying with their kids in J and expecting that their kids would be able to do as they please.
Just a few weeks ago, I traveled in a n-b J cabin, and there was a mother and her child sitting behind me. Her kid was entertaining herself by kicking the back of my seat all the time, to which her...
My issue is not necessarily with kids themselves, but I'm definitely concerned with 'rich' parents flying with their kids in J and expecting that their kids would be able to do as they please.
Just a few weeks ago, I traveled in a n-b J cabin, and there was a mother and her child sitting behind me. Her kid was entertaining herself by kicking the back of my seat all the time, to which her mother only responded by saying in an almost ridiculous tone "Honeyyyyyy, there's a person sitting there." And not even once did she say, 'Don't kick that seat.' It seems that the word 'no' has become taboo for an ever growing number of parents. Add to that an extra hundred or so people, all trapped inside a flying metal tube, and that's when I have a hard time accepting that THIS is the 'golden era' of travel.
There are many "kids" who regularly comment in this blog, and they, more than anyone else, should be the ones to be banned from traveling in premium cabins.
No! You should be banned!!
Parents should prepare their children for quite time. That means plenty of games and videos (with headphones) and an understanding of no loud talking/shouting. But many parents think their children should be your problem. I see it in the lounges. Children running amuck, which causes a safety issue, while the parents are getting polluted at the bar.
Growing up my parents always had the "adult space" conversation with us. We knew no acting out.
What is the world coming to when I agree with Romey...
He's absolutely right. There's a strain of narcissistic parenting where they're convinced that their decision to have children should be everyone else's problem. Would anyone put up with a "service" dog barking for an entire flight?
Age discrimination is illegal in the United Sates.
Are adults-only pools illegal in the United States?
It only applies to adults. Underage kids are not legally entitled to many basic rights that adults enjoy, such as driving, drinking, entering into a legal contract, etc...How about the Constitution does not allow US presidents to be under age 35?
I don’t see any issue with kids traveling first class, at least domestically in the US. The quality of the seat, food and service is generally so low that no one should expect a premium experience. I’ve never flown the Spirit “Big Seat” but I can’t believe it’s much different than most first class routes on the big three.
The issue is about noise, so the solution should be about the source of the noise.
I've had far more unpleasant experiences with loud adults than loud kids.
100%
I brought my 2 yo on a business class flight once. Europe to US, so a day flight. He was up the whole time making noise. The lady in front of me got up midway through flight to turn to me to ask me to quiet him down. I stood up and told that b*tch "you wanna do something about this?" and she shut the f up, as she should.
We landed and guess who she got off the plane with her? Her teenage daughter.
White people man. Can't do nothing with them.
In this fantasy story you've made up, did the teenage daughter make as much noise as your undisciplined two-year-old?
Did you karate-chop the lady for having the temerity to ask for some quiet time in your dream?
How about the name calling? In your mind, did you call her and her teenager names as they disembarked?
Willy, I am minded to believe the ‘Melanin’ could be an Eskimo incarnation. Whomever it is, it is a rude, crude and an extremely revolting racist child.
You sound insane. Her daughter was quiet, your kid was loud. Even on a daytime flight its common courtesy to be quiet on shared transportation. After a certain point it was YOUR responsibility to occupy your child with something that wouldn't be disruptive to the other guests.
Connor, please be advised that the ‘Melanin’ character is suspected to be one of the website trolls …. Eskimo, et al. Just ignore the child and it will soon skulk back into it’s pram.
This isn't a racial issue. At any age, this is about understanding that one is not in a private home, car, plane, etcetera, and behaving with respect for those around you regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, religion, etc...
@Melanin
FFS, why are you pretending to be a minority? Please stop. Do better